Home Freedom Initiative

The Freedom Initiative was designed to take our church on a unique spiritual journey so we would be captured by the heart of God in order to dream God’s dream for the future ministry of Calvary Baptist Church. Part of that vision is the retirement of the current debt load and the funding of needed maintenance projects on the building, and as our "balance due" is lowered and our facilities see improvements being made, these will provide the most easily-recognizable, tangible results of the Freedom Initiative.  

However, our greater purpose in taking part in the Freedom Initiative is to invite the Calvary family to discover, or perhaps be reminded, of our role in this world.  As we study the principles of good stewardship and managing the resources God has given us in a way that honors Him, we find that those principles apply to much more than simply tithing or giving freely to ministry or to those in need.  Indeed, stewardship and a giving heart are a part of a life lived to God's glory, and as we wrestle with how to best honor God with our finances, we find ourselves wrestling with how to give all parts of our lives to God.  This is our ultimate hope for the Freedom Initiative, that through it we'll all experience the calling to turn over all aspects of how we live our lives to God, and that our finances will only be the beginning!



 


Facility Improvements So Far
(September 2012)

As Calvary continues to faithfully give toward the Freedom Initiative, we see our overall debt continue to decrease dramatically.  However, we've also been able to improve our facilities and help meet needs for safety, weather-proofing, and an overall improved appearance:

A message from Joe Sangl, facilitator of the Financial Learning Experience:


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How will the funds from The Freedom Initiative be used?
To retire the church’s current debt load comprised of the building note of $2,620,196.39 and the roof note of $162,210.39 (as of 9/18/11); as well as to fund the maintenance needs totaling $282,005 for projects yet to be completed.

2. How was the debt incurred?
The building note was incurred upon construction of the new sanctuary in 2004. The roof note was incurred in 2011 to repair the roof on the older/southern portion of the building.

3. What is our policy concerning debt?
While we acknowledge the Biblical admonition to be wary of debt (Proverbs 22:7 – “the borrower is the slave of the lender”); we also know that sometimes the ministry benefit of borrowing to build or maintain our facilities outweighs the cost. Our goal is to relieve ourselves of current debt and put ourselves in a positive financial position so borrowing will not be necessary in the future, unless extreme circumstances warrant that choice. We believe that wise choice and faithful stewardship will provide the framework for our church to establish a pattern of financial freedom.

4. What will be the ministry impact if we reach our goal?
First and foremost, to have the Calvary Family drawn closer to the Heart of God as a result of the spiritual journey created from the Freedom Initiative. An desired outcome of that journey will be the retirement of our debt and the freeing of $25,000 of budget funds each month for ministry.

5. How will the debt be retired?
On Sunday, November 20th we will ask each household in our congregation to make a three-year commitment to invest in the future ministry of Calvary Baptist Church.

6. How will the monies received be applied to our debt?
The first monies received will be applied to the roof note, then to the remaining maintenance and needed repairs, and finally the building note, unless a contributor specifies their gift is to be used differently.

7. How can I designate the funds I give?
If you so choose, you can designate your funds:
· To the Freedom Initiative
· Prepay on the building note
· Prepay on the roof note
· Designated for maintenance and needed repairs on the facility

8. How can I give to the Freedom Initiative?
You can give in the forms of cash, check, or payment online using a debit card.

9. May we additionally give non-cash gifts to the campaign?
You certainly may. Many chose to supplement their financial commitment with an “in kind” gift. If anyone wishes to make a contribution other than cash, such as stocks, bonds, real-estate, vehicles, boats, life insurance, jewelry, designations in your will, etc., please add this in the appropriate place on the commitment card. Someone from the church office will contact you.