Questions & Answers

What is Forward in Faith?
Forward in Faith is the title of our capital stewardship campaign. This campaign is seeking to raise gifts and three year commitments of resources that are over and above our regular tithes and offerings to fund a building project.

Why do we need to renovate
We have experienced tremendous growth in our preschool and children’s area with enrollment of 515 today compared to 297 in 2000 (73% increase). With increased children in enrollment in our Sunday School comes increased adult enrollment. We are challenged to provide adequate space for teaching these children as well as their parents. The current church offices are a great distance from the church entrance and need to be in a location that is easier for church members and visitors to access. Also, the rear of our church has become a more significant entrance to our facilities for both church members and guests; therefore, we need to provide a central, identifiable entrance into the church. We would like to connect the church and the Family Life Center. To better serve the elderly and the physically challenged, we need to install an elevator bringing the building into compliance with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

What are we planning to build?
Phase One of this building project will include four components
1.Relocating church offices to a more accessible location.
2.Expanding the preschool area into the current church office area.
3.Expanding the educational building toward Love Avenue.
4.Connecting the main floor of the educational building to the Family Life Center with an atrium and concourse, featuring an elevator.

How much will these changes cost?
The estimated cost to complete the four aspects mentioned in this pamphlet is $4.7 million.

How do we plan to pay for this project?
During April and May of 2008 First Baptist Church will focus on lifestyle stewardship and conduct a stewardship campaign to raise the money needed to fund this project. The entire church family will be asked to commit to give over a 36-month period from June 2008 through May 2011. These special gifts will be in addition to regular tithes and offerings needed to sustain our regular programs, ministries, and mission efforts.

What are the goals of this campaign?
The primary goal is that we are obedient to God, and through our obedience He is glorified. This campaign goes beyond raising money. It is about our relationship with God. As a part of this campaign, we should renew our faith in Christ and our devotion to serve Him through our church’s many ministries and mission efforts.

The second goal is that we will be faithful in providing a solution to our current ministry needs for space and in leaving a legacy for future generations and their ministry efforts.

The third goal is that we provide physical resources for reaching the lost and the unchurched in our community.

The financial benchmarks of this campaign are:
Ripple One - Leadership $2.4 million
Ripple Two - Forward $3.6 million
Ripple Three - Faith $4.7 million

Who are the Campaign Leaders?
The executive director is Pete Garvey. The campaign managers are Bill Arnold and Brian Tankersley. The leadership campaign director is Dr. Joe Turner.

What will people be asked to do?
They will be asked to pray about their gift and respond to God’s leadership in determining the amount and method of the gift. They may give an outright gift and/or make a commitment to give over a three-year period.

Will My Gift Be Confidential?
Every gift and commitment will be confidential. Once members complete their commitment cards, they will place them in privacy envelopes that will only be opened by the Church Administrator or Financial Secretary.

What Types of Gifts Are Given?
Members can choose how best to give the commitment that God has led them to make. Cash is the most common gift. Stocks, mutual fund shares, real estate, life insurance policies, and personal property can also be given. It is requested that you speak to Jim Donovan, Church Administrator, about your plans. He will guide you in the best way to make the gifts for your tax benefit and for the church’s campaign.

Are We Going To Hear alot about money?
Money is a part of our lives, but only a part. We will consider together the concept of Lifestyle Stewardship which focuses on our lives, our values, and our priorities. The goal of Lifestyle Stewardship is to develop a pattern of giving that has value and meaning for the giver that is far greater than the amount of money involved.

When Will I Make My Commitment?
Sunday, May 11, is Forward in Faith Commitment Sunday. On this date, the congregation will have an opportunity to present their commitment cards in either service. A commitment brunch will be held between the two services for the entire church body (no Sunday School for adults). Special activities are planned for our children. Commitment cards are available at the church office and may be turned in at anytime during the 3 year campaign.

What If I Have Other Questions?
You may contact any of the individuals listed under Campaign Leadership to answer your questions. You may send an email with your questions to forwardinfaith@fbctifton.org and your questions will be sent to the leadership team for response. In addition, question cards are available in the main building and Family Life Center.