Titusville First Baptist Church Report on Use of RGP Grant Funds

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Bertram Phillips
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1 The SIDE DOOR CAFE Titusville First Baptist Church Report on Use of RGP Grant Funds The Release God s Power Grant Committee American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware

2 Release God s Power Fund American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware Report on use of RGP Grant Funds February 20, 2009 Group: Titusville First Baptist Church Address: 216 North Perry Street City/State: Titusville, PA Contact Name: Brian Borger, Pastor Address: 1062 Foster Road City/State: Franklin, PA Telephone # / Address: (814) pastorbrian@titusvillefbc.org The Side Door Café Project Development and Implementation In March of 2006, Titusville First Baptist Church requested funds from the Release God s Power Grant Committee to be used to reestablish a viable youth outreach within the church. Volunteers from the church worked in partnership with Boy Scout Troop 412 and Eagle Scout Nicholas Borger to renovate an unused basement area in the church into a modern Youth Room. The area became the hub for the church s own youth program and was also made available to other youth-based programs within the wider community such as the Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. As the initial project neared completion in the early summer of 2007, members of the church became interested in expanding the project to include a community-wide youth program and a youth-oriented worship service. After a period of prayer to seek God s direction, the church decided to develop the Side Door Café, a place where teens and young adults could gather and share, not only entertainment and refreshments, but the Word of God. A second request was made to the Release God s Power Grant Committee on September 14, 2007 for funding to help with this expansion. To accommodate the anticipated growth in attendance and to provide the youth group with an area that could be used for both recreation and worship, the church decided to renovate the large, unused Sunday School meeting area that adjoined the newly established Youth Room. Since one of the main challenges encountered in the earlier remodeling project was mold growth caused by leaky basement walls and inadequate heating and ventilation, the church began this new renovation by installing a whole-house dehumidification system and interior walls and doors that would allow for more efficient heating and dehumidification of the area. The exterior walls of the room, part of the original church built in1865 and comprised of stone, brick, and mortar, were stripped, cracks were repaired, and the entire surface was coated with a waterproofing sealant. The old wood frame basement windows were removed, and the window sills,

3 located well below ground level were raised to prevent water seepage. The walls were then insulated and drywall was installed. New glass block windows were installed to replace the old single pane wood frame windows and the entire room received new wall treatments made to resemble store fronts and streets scenes of the 1950 s. Other improvements to the area included, new electrical wiring and room lighting, a sound system, and the installation of a performance stage with stage lighting. In addition to developing the Café facility, the church recruited one of its own members, John Godlewski, to serve as its Intern Youth Pastor. At the time he was asked to serve John was already enrolled in the Church Leadership Institute s Youth Track. John graduated from the Youth Track in January 2009 and currently serves as the church s Intern Youth Pastor. John s wife, Krista, who holds a counseling degree from Edinboro University, works with her husband in the Café outreach and provides informal counseling for the youth while leading one of the small group Bible studies. The outreach provided to the community by the Side Door Café has far exceeded all expectation of the church. The Wednesday Night Youth Group has grown from the average attendance of six students in March of 2008 to over twenty-five who now meet both Wednesdays and Fridays from afterschool until 8:00PM. Since many of the youth involved in the Café come directly from school and stay the entire evening, an afterschool snack and supper are served both evenings. Some of the food is supplied by church volunteers, but most has had to be purchased from restaurants in the local community. To enhance the Café outreach, the church sponsored several outings for the youth during the summer of 2008, including a trip to Creation 2008, a Christian youth festival near Altoona, PA, and two other Christian Rock events in our local area. While attending these events, several youth made, or reaffirmed, their commitment to Christ. In addition to these events, the church also gave scholarships to five youth allowing them to attend Camp Judson. During their time at camp, two of the students made first time commitments to Christ, while two others recommitted themselves to His service. All-inall, six youth from the Café group made first time commitments to the Lord during 2008, while several others have strengthened their commitment and chose to follow the Lord with a greater intensity. The Side Door Café also offers the church a new platform for outreach to the adult population of the local community. On Tuesday mornings a group of pastors and church members meet in the Café for fellowship and to pray for the needs of the community. This is followed by an interdenominational Bible study led by Pastor Brian Borger. A small group also meets in the Café on Sunday mornings and over 20 believers share in a time of prayer, Bible study, and intergenerational discussions on topics relevant to our daily Christian walk. Plans are currently underway to expand the use of the Side Door Café by making it available to outside groups from the community. One group, Family Services of Crawford County, is currently using the Café for a new program, Intensive Family Group Counseling, while another, the READ Program of Crawford County uses an adjacent area of the church for a community-wide GED preparation program. Local Cub Scout Packs have continued their connection with the church and recently used the facility to hold their annual Blue and Gold Dinner. On Sunday, February 8 th, Cub Pack 917 participated in Scout Sunday at the church with over twenty scouts and family members attending. The church would welcome any opportunity to share its success in this project with other churches. Additional information pertaining to the Side Door Café can be obtained by contacting Pastor Brian Borger either by at pastorbrian@titusvillefbc.org or phone

4 Project Funding Sources and Expenditures In May of 2008, the RGP Grant Committee awarded the Titusville First Baptist Church $1, for the Side Door Café project. Additional funding for the project came through congregational donations, youth fund raisers, memorial gifts, FBC investment funds, and private sources. During the course of the project (Sept. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2008) funding sources were as follows: PROJECT INCOME RGP Grant $ 1, Congregational Giving $10, Private Sources $ 3, Youth Fund Raisers $ FBC Scholarship Fund $ 2, FBC Investments $ 7, Memorial Gifts $ TOTAL PROJECT INCOME $27, In the initial grant request dated September 14, 2007, total expenses for the development of the Side Door Café were projected to be $15, Due to the extent of the needed renovations and fact that youth participation has far exceeded original expectations, overall expenses for the project climbed to $27, as of December 31, PROJECT EXPENSES Repairs and Renovations $11, Equipment and Furnishings $ 3, Youth Director Salary $ 5, Staff Schooling & Training $ 3, Food & Refreshments $ 1, Café Supplies $ Youth Outings & Events $ Ads, Mailings & Brochures $ TOTAL EXPENSES $27, In addition to the above, the value of donated materials and labor for the Side Door Café project is estimated to be $6,500.00

5 Before: The room had once housed the older adult Sunday School class, but had become a dumping ground for unused furniture and equipment. Before: The basement room was dark and uninviting. The outside walls and carpeting were moldy and the lighting was extremely poor. Step one: New flooring, bright wall colors, and stylized lighting give the room a 50 s café effect. Mold sources have been removed or sealed. Step one: After its initial, renovation, the new Youth Room appears bright and cheerful as it awaits its new occupants..

Upon completion, the Youth Room was used for both adult and youth activities. Front left is Nic Borger, whose Eagle Scout project sparked the start to the renovation process.

6 Upon completion, the Youth Room was used for both adult and youth activities. Front left is Nic Borger, whose Eagle Scout project sparked the start to the renovation process. Note the temporary dividing wall in the background. Here is the Side Door Café as it appears today thanks, in part, to a grant from the RGP Fund. The temporary wall has been replaced, new doors and windows installed, and new interior wall décor enhances the 50 s retro look.. The Café now offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. Note the new kitchen used to prepare snacks and meals each week. A wide pass through connects the Café area with the new recreation/worship area and allows for both rooms to be used separately or together.

7 The recreation area was once an unused basement meeting room which was dark, damp, and mold-ridden. New windows, lightening, and interior walls create a useful and entertaining space that is functional and youth friendly. New interior walls and doors now separate the basement area from the rest of the church facility, allowing for better security, heating and dehumidification. Wall art now replaces peeling paint and outdated paneling. This graffit- style mural was designed and painted by David Caviness, Pastor Brian s son-in-law. A new stage area was recently added. Signage and paint will complete the scene, creating a warehouse loading dock background for praise and worship.

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING 2018

ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING 2018 2019 Proposed Ministry Goals & Budget November 11, 2018 Hearts consumed by Christ. As we focus on 2019 and the continuation of our 20/20 Vision priorities, Redeemer s board has