CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
OUR MISSION
At Calvary Baptist Church, our mission is to reach people with the gospel and help them become Christ-centered, Cross-driven believers. The gospel is the good news–the life-changing message of Jesus. Holy God came as perfect Man for us. Jesus lived, died, rose, and ascended. In Romans 1:16 Paul says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” Together, we’re called to bring glory to God through His power that works within us. Through Him, we’re capable of more than we could imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We want to trust Christ, follow Christ, serve Christ, and share Christ. Through inward devotion and outward action, we worship Christ.
Theme verse IMAGINE
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or , according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
OUR FOCUS
Even as we imagine the future, let’s keep our values and focus clear. Let’s ask God to build us as individuals, and to build Calvary, while moving forward with our property and facility. We will focus on building excellent ministries that reach out. We must get better before we get bigger. Calvary’s plumb lines are values that guide actions and decisions. To be aligned as a church, we must each pursue these values:
The gospel is the doorway and pathway All ministries focus on the gospel.
We are a river, not a flood Simplicity and focus in ministries enables excellence and growth.
We are better in circles than rows We connect people with people.
We focus on growth, not just maintenance We reach out to people in our community as well as serve the people in our congregation.
We go and tell, not just sit and listen We witness by word of mouth, inviting and involving people in our church.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
The current facility has served us well for many years, and we honor those who came before us. Their faith and God’s blessing allowed the ministry at CBC to grow and hundreds of lives to be touched.
OUR HISTORY 1956
Calvary Baptist Church officially organized with 24 charter members. Based out of prayer meetings and Bible studies, the small church met at Erieview Elementary School. The church bought 1.5 acres on Electric Boulevard.
1962
1971
A youth center (pole building) was constructed.
Calvary purchased an adjoining acre of land and broke ground for a new building. In 1963, as the building was being built, Calvary grew to 75 members.
1991
A Christian education wing and gym were constructed.
The gym was renovated into a multipurpose worship center with increased seating capacity, a larger platform, and improved technology.
2006
2012
The Radical Generosity campaign eliminated all existing debt and mortgages. The campaign funded a conceptual design architect, as well as geotechnical and environmental studies of the new property.
Mobilized to “Claim the Land,” 9.35 acres on the corner of Krebs Road and Lear Road. The I-90 interchange at this time was only a dream, mired in negotiations. But in 2010, the governor recommended the project for fast-track approval, and two years later, the interchange opened.
2007
2015
A master plan and building design were presented for the Krebs/Lear property. The Imagine campaign was launched.
OUR FUTURE
We plan to move forward with relocation as we continue to live out the mission and vision God has given us. We believe the Krebs/Lear property will serve as a wonderful place of ministry for generations to come.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Children and Youth Imagine impacting future generations. Imagine leaving a legacy! This self-contained, secure wing includes rooms, activity space, and has been designed for convenient traffic flow.
The Concourse
Imagine people gathering in a spacious area for conversation and relationships. At 2,310 square feet, the concourse is large enough for meetings and events, such as receptions. The concourse is designed as a spine, providing user-Âfriendly access to all areas of the building.
310 Seat Worship Center Imagine an attractive space where people can hear God’s Word, worship, and grow for years to come. 525-620 people can be reached in two services.
THE PLAN Future-Ready The site plan and building layout welcome future growth. All major areas are designed for expansion–the worship center to the north, children and youth areas to the west and north, and parking areas to the east and north.
5-MILE RADIUS
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
At Krebs and Lear, there are 64% more households within a 5-mile radius than our current location. Current location, households within 5-mile radius: 18,978 Krebs and Lear, households within 5-mile radius: 31,052
What does 64% more look like? 12,074 new households within easy access
31,052 HOUSEHOLDS WITHIN A 5-MILE RADIUS
30,185 new people 7,000 new children and students under 18.
Did you know? Relocating will provide easy access for 10,000–16,000 more people who are unaffiliated with a church, classified as religious “non-adherents.” Among these people are some 2,000–3,000 unchurched children and students–thousands more than our current location! Will we reach all those families and people? Probably not, but imagine if we reached just a fraction of those and could help lead them to Christ! Sources: CityData Lorain County statistics, USPS.
AVON
10 MINUTE DRIVE VIA I-90 Besides the new people within our 5-mile radius, we will also gain access to people driving to church via I-90. Consider a 10 minute drive all the way to our new property. You can drive from as far west as Exit 161 or as far east as Exit 148. We will gain access to even more people than just the 30,185 new people within a 5 mile radius!
9 MIN DRIVE TIME VIA I-90
ROCKY RIVER / DETROIT RD.
9 MIN DRIVE TIME CROCKER PARK
SHEFFIELD VILLAGE / AVON
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
OUR GOAL
$1,000,000 What we’re trying to do is move forward in faith If you think of this process like football, we’re trying to move the ball down the field until we score a touchdown. Whether this campaign moves it 10 yards, 20 yards, or 75 yards, we want to go in the direction God wants us to go, knowing that the timing is in His hands. Realize that God knows best; His timing is perfect. He’s never in a hurry, He’s never late, and we need to trust Him.
These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow do not despair for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient. They will not be overdue a single day. (Habakkuk 2:3)
Imagine is about taking a step of faith toward what God wants us to do next
The challenge to all of us, as a part of Calvary Baptist Church, is to engage in this giving initiative and commit to giving $1,000,000 in a two year period over and above our regular tithes and offerings.
PREPARATION Reaching our financial goal depends on each of us making sacrificial gifts that are above and beyond our current level of giving. As we each determine what amount God would have us to give, it’s exciting to know that whatever we give is going directly towards making what we imagine a reality!
Stretching ourselves in this area can be scary and may even seem impossible at first. However, with prayer, creativity, and sacrifice, “stretch-giving” to Imagine is possible for everyone.
Prayer Prayer starts it all. Nothing prepares our heart to respond to God like seeking His heart through prayer. Don’t rush it. Spend time praying “God show me how to give.”
Proportional Strive to respond in proportion to God’s blessing and provision. This will be different for each of us, and that’s okay! Paul says that gifts are “acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12) Giving in the Bible was proportional because God provides us different amounts of resources. God is interested in our hearts, not the amount that we give.
Pleasing Seek a commitment decision that is pleasing to God. It’s easy to know what is pleasing to us. But to find what is pleasing to God, our faith will likely need to be stretched through prayer and the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Here are a few questions to help determine if a commitment amount is pleasing to God: Does this amount really require me to trust God? (2 Cor. 9:6-8) Does this amount show I value my hope of eternal reward more than material things on earth? (1 Timothy 6:19) Does this amount represent a genuine sacrifice? (2 Samuel 24:24) Does this amount express the level of thanksgiving I have for the ways Christ and His church have blessed my life and family? (Psalms 54:6)
Peace Look for and anticipate peace from God after making a prayerful and proportional commitment that is pleasing to Him. This will be experienced in different ways–a confirming word or situation, a general sense of calm, or sensing God’s perfect will.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
DETERMINING YOUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT
1. Go through the “4 P’s” (previous page), and ask God to place an amount on your heart to give. 2. Ask yourself what amount: • you feel God has placed on your heart • you believe God will provide for you to give • you would like to give 3. For a few days, assume you were to give the amount you are thinking. Then ask yourself these questions: • Is my gift sacrificial? • Am I demonstrating faith in God’s promises and provisions? • Am I joyous about giving this amount?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then you can feel comfortable about your gift amount. If you cannot honestly answer “yes” to all three questions, run through steps 1-2 again until you are comfortable with your answers in step 3. If you are married, you and your spouse should follow steps 1–3 separately. Then, get together and share your gift amounts. If you arrive at different amounts, repeat steps 1–3 together and come to an agreement on what you believe God wants you to give. Don’t rush it–take your time, and make sure you are both ready.
EXAMPLES OF GIVING An individual might decide to do the following:
• He was planning to purchase a car in early 2016. His monthly payment was expected to be $350. He has decided to delay that purchase and give $350 a month to Imagine. ($350 x 24) = $8,400 • He is also able to give $1,500 from a savings account • He believes that God will enable him to give another $1,000 over the next 2 years to Imagine 2 Year Pledge Total: $8,400 + $1,500 + $1,000 = $10,900
A family of five is living paycheck to paycheck with no savings. However, they may realize that they eat out once a week as a family for a cost of about $50 per meal.
• They decide to eat out twice a month, saving $100/month • Also, they decide to order water when they do eat out, saving $30/month • The mom was recently given a $100 a month raise. They decide to give $75 of that amount to Imagine and use the rest for savings. 2 Year Pledge Total: ($100 + $30 + $75) x 24 =$4,920.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH
More than a decade ago, when I first came to Calvary to serve as your pastor, I couldn’t imagine what the future would bring. I simply had a strong conviction that God was leading me to come here and shepherd His flock. As I look back I can unmistakably see God’s hand at work both in our church and in my own life. Over the years there have been a number of celebrations, challenges, and changes, but one thing has remained the same: our commitment to keep Christ at the center of everything. Now we have come to an important milestone in the history of Calvary. Following years of prayer and planning together, we now have the opportunity to raise the funds to construct a new church home. Can you imagine the day when we complete our new church home? • Imagine a place where more people are able to hear and respond to the gospel • Imagine a place where more people are worshiping together and hearing God’s Word • Imagine a place where both parents and children gather to grow in grace and then go out to share their faith • Imagine a place that reaches beyond the borders of Avon Lake to surrounding suburbs I can only begin to imagine the amazing things God is going to do through us as we move forward together. This is going to require a significant sacrifice from all of us. Would you pray and ask God to guide you in your giving to the Imagine campaign? Remember, where God guides He always provides. I thank God for the privilege of serving as your pastor-teacher. It has been a joy to watch you grow in God’s grace. Now I’m asking God to help us take a step of faith into our future. In Christ, Pastor Dave
FROM OUR PASTOR
# of commitments
GIVING
PROFILE Did you know? If you give $20 per week, it will amount to $2,080 over the 2-year Imagine campaign!
1 1 2 4 6 6 6 5 10 10 15 20
Amount of each commitment
$150,000 $75,000 $50,000 $35,000 $25,000 $18,000 $15,000 $12,000 $7,500 $5,000 $2,500 $1,200
TOTAL: $1,000,000
YOU MAY BE ASKING How Long Will This Building Take? The expected timeline is four to five years. It could be shorter, or it could go longer based on the amount of funds we raise during the Imagine campaign. This is our plan, but we know that God could change that plan. The majority of funds will come from giving, so the timeline depends on our generosity.
How much will it cost? The total project cost has been professionally estimated at $4.5-5.2 million. Project cost means everything included–site work, building, parking lot, furnishings, technology, etc. We anticipate three primary funding sources: 1) Giving campaign(s) 2) Sale of our existing building 3) Financing.
What is Calvary’s approach to borrowing money? Our Relocation Steering Committee and elders have worked with multiple Christian financial professionals throughout this process. We will continue to seek godly and experienced advice. We expect to take a loan, but we want to be wise with that amount and not hinder future ministry. You will continue to be informed every step of the way.
What if Imagine doesn’t raise the necessary money? Sometimes it takes perseverance to accomplish what God is calling us to do. Let’s ask God to give us patience and determination. We will continue to serve Him and work together. Also, remember our ministry focus. We want to improve our ministries and outreach, getting better before getting bigger. As we do, we pray that more people will come and that God will bless both spiritually and financially. Some of the people who will give to this project have not even arrived yet.
32607 Electric Blvd • Avon Lake, OH 44012 (440) 933-8828 • cbcavonlake.org
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