FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Building Campaign

Dear Church Family,

$300.00.  That’s how much the Bluegrass Men’s Fellowship had in the bank when they decided to start a new church in Mt. Sterling. That commitment included all our expenses the first year and my salary for the first few years. It was a commitment of Faith. And now Gateway has been a work of Faith for 30 years. In so many ways our journey has been one of Faith.

Many have stepped out in Faith to accept Jesus as Savior. Many have, in Faith under-taken ministries they never imagined themselves doing. And collectively, we’ve trusted God through our first purchase of property and four building programs. And now we've purchased new property for the future.

What now? How do we approach the future? There’s only one right way -- in Faith. And so today we announce possibly the biggest step of Faith we’ve ever attempted. It’s a step planned to prepare us for whatever the next step is that God has planned for us. Our Leadership believes God wants us always to be prepared for His Leading. That being ready requires paying down our  current debt and having some funds to develop our new property. Wanting not to be self-centered, we also want to provide funds for a new church plant wherever God leads. We believe God blesses us as we sacrifice to bless others.

$1,000,000! Like I said, that’s bigger than anything we’ve ever tried. But that’s what faith is. Doing something in Faith requires doing something bigger than we can do on our own. Raising $1 million dollars in three years (or four) will require God’s help. While it sounds impossible for us, Nothing is impossible with God. As our Leaders prayed for God’s Will they were convinced preparing now for tomorrow is God’s Way. And they are convinced that that preparation requires the $1 million goal. As of this writing they have expressed their conviction by personally pledging more than $120,000 to reach this goal.

I know you may be in shock. Or at least you may have lots of questions. We are going to do everything we can to answer all your questions. In addition to just being available to you, we will have a series of dinner meetings in early October planned to try to answer your questions and prepare you to participate in this campaign. Please read the Campaign brochure and get answers before responding to this announcement.

As the information states, we know not everyone can give an equal amount, but everyone can give their best, can give an equal sacrifice. God doesn’t measure our sacrifice by how much we give, but by how much we keep. Reaching our goal will require a generous sacrifice from everyone. It will require, that for the most of us, we give to this goal weekly. Some may choose to give monthly or annually. Or you may want to give a one lump sum. Whatever and however, you choose to give needs to be above and beyond your regular giving. It won’t help us to steal from Peter to pay Paul. We would really encourage you to give to this only after you give your Tithe (10%). God promises to bless that kind of giving.

When will this start? Our planned date is January 1, 2007. After two months of prayer and explanation, we will ask everyone to make pledges in early November and announce the total pledged on Thanksgiving Sunday. If you want to give to debt reduction before hand, you are welcome to do so. Many already are. What if you make a pledge and disaster spoils your plan? We won’t come to your door or send a bill. This is a Faith-pledge between you and God. Only our Treasure will know your pledge and only so he can come up with a total pledge amount. He has mine and Betty Jo’s. I trust him completely to keep it confidential.

This letter is probably the longest I’ve every written. I wanted to answer as many questions as possible upfront. I know I’ve not answered them all, but hope this gets us headed in the right direction. In closing, let me encourage you to make your first response to this information that of praying for God’s Will and God’s Way in your life. Our leaders have spent many months doing so. This Campaign is the result of their diligent efforts. May we follow them in Faith and Sacrifice to do God’s Will...God’s Way!

Preparing to Follow Him

Glenn