Grace Forward: God s HOPE Expansion www.seegraceforward.com Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. - Isaiah 54:2 Thus says the Lord, Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? -2 Samuel 7:4-6 Will you help see Grace forward? DONOR INFORMATION GUIDE
Dear Grace Family, Friends, & Supporters: Wow! It is impossible to imagine that we d be here today, moving forward as we ve grown from a little group of just seven faithful visioneers to outgrowing the very facility we started in. We were at seven for over three years. It seemed like every Sunday we would declare Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." We declared that scripture so much that some probably thought it was our vision statement. Though I believed it wholeheartedly, I always prayed Lord please send more than two or three! Allow us to change lives and to be an unstoppable force in this region for You. That was seven years ago. This is now. Look at God! We re believing God for more relationships reconciled to him, more brothers and sisters to grow with, serve with, and develop deep relationships with. More families hearing about the saving power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More families coming together in a radically diverse and multicultural setting that displays the awesomeness and power of unity through the Holy Spirit. Are you fired up?! The truth is, we can t stay here. A church is not a building, it s a people. However our current facilities have been severely hampering our potential for Chist, and for reaching people. 1. Our parking is non-existent. The unfortunate assumption floating around in our community (based on guest experiences) has been our lack of parking. Do we really want to lose more potential families simply because they can t find a place to park? Especially on game days? 2. Our children s facilities are unacceptable. Our young kids are in a storage closet which gets so hot that sometimes we have to cancel. The older kids sit in the hallway, which that also gets canceled when its extremely hot or cold, and is a major security issue. Our kids deserve better. 3. We need a place to call home. We re at the mercy of Lithanian Hall. We are gracious for their hospitality, but moving out every year so that who-knows-what can occur in our beloved sanctuary as 1,000 Elvis descend for two nights each year is getting old. 4. We must progress toward even more diversity. One the largest areas of our vision is diversity. We cannot continue to share the gospel and promote the power of God while he seemingly remains powerless to draw cultures together on Sunday. This biblical vision, if we really desire to sacrifice for it, will take our region by storm. One thing that unites us all is God s Grace. Arbutus is an exceptionally diverse area to where we can display the power of Grace. We ve outlined our plan throughout this guide, and the Lord has led us right to our next home. Not only does this new home answer all of our needs, but it increases our capacity to live out the Gospel and to be the vision. We need your help. To reach this goal, we are asking every member of our family family to make a sacrificial gift. Although every bit helps, we are believing God for significant contribution pledges over the next (12) months, with the bulk of our goal prayerfully being reached within the next (6) months. Wouldn t it be awesome to be up and running in time for an incredible resurrection season? We are Grace. If it s to happen, it s through our commitment to God. Before you decide on the amount of your gift, please prayerfully consider the generosity that God has shown you, the importance of the mission we have been given, and the staggering returns that God promises to the cheerful giver. Larger than that, know we have a big opportunity to advance the Gospel. No greater honor and opportunity exists. On the last page is a pledge card. When completed, please return it in the offering basket or mail to the church office. Why see Grace forward? Because that s where our best days are. These are the stories we never forget. We re writing the next chapter with faith & resources. As God asked Moses: What s in your hand? With our faith, commitment, and God s goodness, together we can see Grace forward. Amazed by Grace, Ken Patterson
Meet Our Facility. Clean. Intimate. God-Honoring. Open Reception Area We value authentic community and we ve designed an intimate, yet spacious area to reflect this value from the onset. Not just welcome to Grace, but welcome to community. Exceptional Children s Facilities Our most precious community, Grace Kids, will meet in three spacious, secure rooms with high visibility and safety where our kids don t go to hang out, but to grow in God. Intimate Worship Experience Our Sanctuary, which will seat 130, will reflect the heart of intimate worship, community, and modifications that will enhance the worship and learning experience for all of our guests. Clean Landscape & Plentiful Parking Due to our current facility being tucked away in a residential neighborhood, we are known as the church with no parking. Double parking, risking tickets, or drivebys (those giving up on the search and just driving back home on Sundays) are no more. We ve got well over 60 parking spots aviailable now. In fact, because it s Sunday, we ve got the whole complex. Will you help see Grace forward?
Meet Our New Community. Arbutus. Perfectly fit into the Baltimore-Washington Corridor The Arbutus is actually a flower, from the latin arbutus unedo, one of the most fruit-producing species of flowers created. Might we produce fruit in Arbutus also? Population & Demographics 20,483 diverse people we have the potential to reach. As Grace International Church, our mission is multiethnic - Arbutus is multiethnic. We re right at home. Primed for Outreach With the regional 24-Hour Wal Mart, opportunities to partner with Chick-Fil-A, along with many of the regional reaching to many local points of high traffic interest such as the Inner Harbor, Arundel Mills Mall, and other locations within close proximity to our church. Opportune Location Just minutes from 295, 695, 95, and 895. Due to the diversity in travel of our current church members, we anticipate continued growth from an even larger transient church community. Our outreach will be able to extend well beyond our current reach, landlocked in the inner city. Proximity to the College Community 5 miles from: University of Maryland-Baltimore County; University of Maryland-Baltimore; Coppin State University; Baltimore City Community College; & University of Baltimore.
Meet Our Financial Plan. Where Commitment & Strategy Meet. We ve seen the many reasons we re taking this leap into the next season of our ministry, and we ve seen our new facility and community where God has led us. It remains a vision. A dream. Here s what it s going to require over the next 6 months to make this a reality: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO SEE GRACE FORWARD? Design & Construction - $30k The full construction of rooms, carpeting, walls, windows, painting, electrical, and operational necessities. Signage & Visibility Efforts - $4k Battling obscurity with the visibility of mobile signs posted in (2) major directions and outlets leading to the church. Air & Heating Installation - $12k Install new AC/Heating Unit which includes additional duct/cleaning work & vent installations throughout the church. Sanctuary Seating - $3.2k Installing 130 quality chairs throughout the sanctuary which reflect our heart for intimate worship & the culture and identity of Grace. Basic Sound Construction - $3k Overcoming the potential sound challenges with paneling & construction of a sound center Children s Ministry Resources - $4k Equipment, security measures, furniture, supplies, and materials for Grace s most treasured members - our kids. Total Goal: $56,200 We realize this is a considerable amount in relation to our church community. We also realize that God is not intimidated by numbers as He owns it all, yet He is enamored by great faith. When a community of believers sacrifices and commits to changing the world together, great movements are born. Ask the Acts 2 church. Pray. Grab your best faith. Will you see Grace Forward?
GRACE FORWARD - DONOR PLEDGE FORM I recognize this is a unique moment in the history of our church and in the Kingdom of God. This move of faith will not only have an infinte impact on Grace s role in moving God s Kingdom forward, but embodies making the most of our place on God s Timeline. I will pledge, through faith, to play a signficiant role through my prayer and resources. I will see Grace Forward. In moving Grace Forward, over the next (6) months, I pledge: $600 ($25/wk) $1200 ($50/wk) $2500 ($105/wk) $5000 ($210/wk) $10,000 ($415/wk) (other amount - please specify) Name: Method of Donation: Address: Weekly Check or Cash (Sunday Offering) Automatic Recurring Online Donations Telephone Number: Other: (Specify) Email: You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. -2 Corinthians 9:11 FOR YOUR RECORDS I recognize this is a unique moment in the history of our church and in the Kingdom of God. This move of faith will not only have an infinte impact on Grace s role in moving God s Kingdom forward, but embodies making the most of our place on God s Timeline. I will pledge, through faith, to play a signficiant role through my prayer and resources. I will see Grace Forward. In moving Grace Forward, over the next (6) months, I pledge: $600 ($25/wk) $1200 ($50/wk) $2500 ($105/wk) $5000 ($210/wk) $10,000 ($415/wk) (other amount - please specify) Name: Method of Donation: Address: Weekly Check or Cash (Sunday Offering) Automatic Recurring Online Donations Telephone Number: Other: (Specify) Email: You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. -2 Corinthians 9:11