w h at e v e r i t ta k e s
give. reach. live.
Woodland Place Baptist Church M a g n o l i a , Te x a s
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Woodland Place Baptist Church
From Our Pastor Dear Woodland Place Family,
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am so excited about what God is doing at Woodland Place Baptist Church! And, I strongly believe that He is bringing us together right now to do something amazing and awesome in our sight! While our need for a new worship center is obvious and practical, still greater is our need for total dependence upon the Lord. And, I believe that is God’s ultimate goal for each of us. He desires, through this process, that we learn to completely trust Him with all we have. It’s called “Whatever It Takes.” Are you willing to do Whatever It Takes to raise the banner of Christ over this community? It CAN be done, but it won’t be easy! You must be willing to give sacrificially, to reach purposefully, and to live evangelistically: Give. Reach. Live. The apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). That reality is what Whatever It Takes is all about. We must get outside of our comfort zones, and do whatever is necessary to provide access to the hope and salvation of Jesus Christ for our community. For this vision to be achieved, sacrifice will be required. I ask that you would join us in this worthy cause – to raise the banner of Christ over the entire community. With much prayer and much sacrifice, the vision can be accomplished. A new worship center will be an extremely important part of the journey. And, we can do it, if we do it together. Will you join us? There is no greater investment than the one made into the Kingdom of God. It is an investment for all eternity. And, there is no greater return than the one given by the King of kings Himself! I would ask that you fervently pray. Please ask the Lord’s guidance as to the sacrifice that He would have your family make. I won’t mislead you. For us to impact this community, it will require great sacrifice from the people of God. But nothing significant is ever accomplished without sacrifice. God is going to ask you today to do the unthinkable, so that tomorrow He can use you to accomplish the unimaginable! Don’t miss it! Let’s, together, be willing to give, to reach, to live, to do Whatever It Takes to make an eternal difference in our world. After all, you only get one life to live for Jesus. How will you use yours? Excited about the Great days that are ahead,
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Pastor Tim Keith
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whatever it takes
oodland Place Baptist Church was organized as a mission church in May 1974, with the help and direction of First Baptist Church Magnolia. The first services were held in a home on Sawmill Road near Magnolia. This congregation consisted of 24 charter members.
In June 1984, the Education Facility was completed. The church library was established in January 1985.
Woodland Place soon moved to the community building in Lakewood Estates with Bro. Alton Pope of Cleveland as pastor, and his wife served as the music director. God continued to lead and bless the church, and in July 1975 the land on FM 1488 was purchased. Portable buildings were moved there to serve as a sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. The church building with its carpeted floors, upholstered pews and oak pulpit was completed in October 1975.
In January of 2004, the church came under the leadership of current pastor, Tim Keith. In 2006, the vision of the church was refined to reflect the passion of the congregation to reach outside the walls of the church into the rapidly growing community around her.
Continued growth with the church led to an addition of the sanctuary, which was completed in April 1995, and the Family Life Center was opened in 2000.
Our History how it all began
As a part of that vision, a remodel of the church sanctuary was done along with the addition of landscape design. As the church experienced the expected growth facilitated by the ongoing “outside the walls” mentality and the growth of the surrounding area, a full time Children’s pastor and Discipleship and Mission’s pastor was added to the pastoral staff to facilitate the growing needs of the church.
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Woodland Place Baptist Church
Our Vision
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w h at w e a r e a b o u t
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t Woodland Place Baptist Church, it is our desire to be a church that takes
Christ outside the walls of the church; leading
people who do not know Christ into a life-changing relationship with Christ. This is why we exist as a church. We are guided by the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and it is our mission to S.H.A.R.E. Christ with everyone.
ourmission Study and apply God’s word - Disc ipleship Honor Christ with my life - Worship Assist others in need - Ministry
Reach lost people for Christ - Evang elism
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Encourage one another daily - Fellow ship
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s we look to the future, we have assed the needs of our current property and have prayerfully weighed all
the options. We have decided to move forward with plans to replace our current worship center, constructed in 1976, and build a new 600-seat worship center that will give us room for growth as we continue to live out the vision and mission God has given us.
whatever it takes
Our Future w h at w e a r e b u i l d i n g
The current facility has served us well for many years, and we honor those who went before us. It was their forward-looking vision and God’s blessing that has allowed the ministry at Woodland Place to grow.
New 600-seat Worship Center
including: • Choir Room • Offices for pastors and personnel • Nursery and Toddler area • Conference room • Restrooms • Baptistry with changing rooms • Large foyer with Welcome center
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Woodland Place Baptist Church
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Our Plan
whatever it takes
how we make it happen
GIVE
In 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul shows us that he is willing to give whatever necessary in order to honor Christ and to reach people. Our challenge is the same. Any accomplishment with great significance will require great sacrifice. God is going to ask each one of us to give sacrificially so that our lives can be transformed and our communities touched with His amazing grace. Whatever It Takes is all about giving sacrificially.
REACH
Again, in 1 Corinthians 9, the apostle Paul tells us why he is willing to give with great sacrifice: “…so that by all possible means I might save some.” His purpose was to reach people with Christ’s love and salvation – the very same purpose we’ve been given at WPBC! We aren’t building a new building just for more space and better facilities (although those are much needed). We have a much greater purpose, a God-given purpose, to see the lost saved, the broken mended, and the hurting healed. This building will be a vital tool in helping us broaden our reach and fulfill our mission. Whatever It Takes is all about reaching purposefully.
LIVE
In 1 Corinthians 9:23, the apostle Paul says, “I do all this for the sake of the gospel…” He is saying that the reason he gives and sacrifices and goes and reaches is all for one cause: the gospel. He lives for the sake of the gospel. Can our calling be any less? We must live everyday with our eyes on eternity. The people in our families and our communities need Jesus. We must live lives of sacrifice and purpose. Things of this world will pass away, but what is done for the Kingdom of God will last for eternity. Where are you investing your life? Whatever It Takes is all about living evangelistically.
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Woodland Place Baptist Church
How to make a pledge The success of the Whatever It Takes spiritual initiative depends upon each of us making gifts that are above our current level of giving. The process of deciding what amount to give is exciting because of the contribution you will make to God’s kingdom. But the process is also scary because of the sacrifice that it will require from us. This guide is designed to help you think prayerfully and creatively about giving to the Whatever It Takes opportunity. Many people are amazed at how God responds to their willingness to give sacrificially toward His kingdom purposes.
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how can i give? Giving is scary and may even seem impossible at first. However, with prayer, creativity, and sacrifice, giving to the Woodland Place, Whatever It Takes, spiritual iniative is possible for everyone! You may be able to use some of the proceeding ideas to help you think creatively about giving to Woodland Place Baptist Church.
whatever it takes
4 P’s to a good pledge gift decision PRAYER...prayer starts it all. Nothing prepares our heart to respond to God like seeking His heart through prayer. Don’t rush this process. The longer you pray, “God show me how to give,” the more ways God will show you.
PROPORTIONAL...it is not about quantity; it is about faith and sacrifice. One of the guiding
priciples behind this opportunity is “equal sacrifice, not equal gifts.” All giving in the Bible was proportional because God has given us different amounts of resources. God is interested in our hearts most of all.
PLEASING...it is about seeking a commitment decision that is pleasing to God. For most of us, it is easy to find what is pleasing to us. But to find what is pleasing to God, we’ll have to struggle and stretch our faith through prayer and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Here are a few questions to help determine if your pledge amount is pleasing to God: 1) Does this amount really require me to trust God? (2 Cor. 9:6-8) 2) Does this amount show I value my hope of eternal reward more than material things on earth? “Use your money to do good...always being ready...By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven - it is the only safe investment for eternity!” 1 Timothy 6:19 {TLB} 3) Does this amount represent a genuine sacrifice? “I will not sacrifice to my God an offering that costs me nothing!” 2 Samuel 24:24 4) Does this amount express the level of thanksgiving I have for how Christ and His church has blessed my life and my family? “With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord.” Psalm 54:6 {RSV}
PEACE...God will grant us a peace that “passes all understanding” through the knowledge that
TIPS
Practice Priority Budgeting
Many families may choose to rearrange their financial priorities and give up something in their current budget in order to give to Whatever It Takes.
Redirect Present Expenditures
Often we have short-term expenditures or loans for special needs such as a car loan or a child’s college expenses. Once these loans are paid or expenses end, cash flow is freed up that can be redirected to Whatever It Takes.
Increased Giving with Increased Wealth
Sometimes we know of bonuses or raises that we will receive over the next 3 years. Families can decide to delay increasing their lifestyle and committing the increased income to this opportunity.
Donate Assets
There are some incredible tax advantages to giving appreciated assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. Consult with a staff member for answers.
we have made a prayerful and proportional pledge commitment that is pleasing to Him.
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Woodland Place Baptist Church
whatever it takes This Gift Profile Guide provides an illustration of how a variety of gifts will enable us to reach our goal. We believe this profile best represents how we can accomplish our goal for “Whatever It Takes.” Review this chart, and seek God’s direction for your own contribution. Some people can give even more, some cannot. Gifts of all sizes will be needed and welcomed.
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# of Gifts
Gift Level
Total at Level
Accumulated Total
1
$100,000.00
$100,000.00
$100,000.00
2
$75,000.00
$150,000.00
$250,000.00
6
$50,000.00
$300,000.00
$550,000.00
15
$25,000.00
$375,000.00
$925,000.00
15
$15,000.00
$225,000.00
$1,150,000.00
20
$10,000.00
$200,000.00
$1,350,000.00
15
$5,000.00
$75,000.00
$1,425,000.00
15
$3,000.00
$45,000.00
$1,470,000.00
10
$2,000.00
$20,000.00
$1,490,000.00
10
$1,000.00
$10,000.00
$1,500,000.00
10
$156.00
$1,560.00
$1,501,560.00
Examples of Giving 1 An individual has decided to do the following:
• He is planning to purchase a car in early 2013. His monthly payment was expected to be $350. He has decided to delay that purchase and give $350 a month to Whatever It Takes. ($350 x 36) = $12,600
• He is also able to give $1500 from a savings account.
• He believes through faith that God will also enable him to give another $1,000 over the next 3 years to Whatever It Takes.
3-year Pledge Total: ($350 x 36) + $1,500 + $1,000 = $15,100
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A family of five is living paycheck to paycheck with no savings. However, after much consideration, they realize that they eat out once a week as a family for a cost of about $50 to $60 per meal. They have decided to eat out twice a month and to order water when they do eat out. The dad was also given a $100 a month pay raise. They decide to give $75 of that amount to Whatever It Takes each month and use the rest for savings.
• Savings from not eating out: $100/month • Savings from ordering water: $15 per meal x 2 = $30/month • 3-year Pledge Total: ($100 + $30 + $75) x 36 = $7,380
whatever it takes
pray “Father, this is a big step for us/me. We’re asking You to strengthen our faith and help us grow spiritually through giving. We thank You for all You have given us. We want to be cheerful givers. We’re claiming Your promises that You’ve said in Your Word that You’ll take care of our needs if we trust You. Thank You for this opportunityto grow. Thank You for our church. Help us to take this step of faith for Your glory! In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!”
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER:
Sept. 30 - Oct. 28 :: Whatever It Takes Series Oct. 28 :: Commitment Sunday • 3-year pledges made Nov. 18 :: First Step Offering • Make your first gift to Whatever It Takes on this Sunday. • If possible, consider giving 10% of your total pledge (This provides an initial amount of cash- on-hand to help begin the project and reduce interest payments on our construction loan) • Please indicate “Whatever It Takes” on the memo line of checks, or use the Whatever It Takes envelopes
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w hatever it tak es
g i v e. r e a ch. l ive.
Woodland Place Baptist Church 5148 FM 1488 • Magnolia, TX 77354 woodlandplace.info