Happy Birthday Great Lakes Church (Part 4)
Since GLC turns one year old this Sunday, I've decided to blog more than usual this week and write about the challenges we've had in creating a church for people who don't go to church. Nope, this stuff isn't meant to be negative.
Challenge #3: Resources
18 months ago, when my family and I pulled into Kenosha, Great Lakes Church owned nothing. No building. No money. No sound equipment. Nothing.
What we did have was a group of people and churches in Seattle, San Diego, Oak Brook, Urbana, Winthrop Harbor, Kenosha and a few other cities who believed in our dream enough to help us launch. The gave generously to something that they will never personally benefit from. It was this group of people who paid for all of our a/v equipment, trailer, children's ministry resources, etc.
After we launched, the people of GLC began to contribute financially. The challenge we've faced is that every time we've reached the point of "self-supporting", it's been necessary to add more auditoriums and expenses to continue welcoming people through our doors. Recently we've added another full-time staff member (since we only have two) and another auditorium. A few friends have continued supporting us weekly or monthly so that we can keep moving forward w/o having to take out any loans.
My biggest learning in the past year has been that God is capable of providing. He has never been stressed, scared, or intimidated by the budget of a church. Not Great Lakes Church. Not any church.
Today I want to thank those of you who have sacrificed financially so that Great Lakes Church can be focused on the mission and not on fundraising. For those of you who continue to give sacrificially, but do not even live in our area, I will never be able to adequately express how grateful I am for you. So far this year (2010), over 40 people have embraced the love and forgiveness offered by God and have become followers of Jesus Christ. You are a part of this!
Challenge #3: Resources
18 months ago, when my family and I pulled into Kenosha, Great Lakes Church owned nothing. No building. No money. No sound equipment. Nothing.
What we did have was a group of people and churches in Seattle, San Diego, Oak Brook, Urbana, Winthrop Harbor, Kenosha and a few other cities who believed in our dream enough to help us launch. The gave generously to something that they will never personally benefit from. It was this group of people who paid for all of our a/v equipment, trailer, children's ministry resources, etc.
After we launched, the people of GLC began to contribute financially. The challenge we've faced is that every time we've reached the point of "self-supporting", it's been necessary to add more auditoriums and expenses to continue welcoming people through our doors. Recently we've added another full-time staff member (since we only have two) and another auditorium. A few friends have continued supporting us weekly or monthly so that we can keep moving forward w/o having to take out any loans.
My biggest learning in the past year has been that God is capable of providing. He has never been stressed, scared, or intimidated by the budget of a church. Not Great Lakes Church. Not any church.
Today I want to thank those of you who have sacrificed financially so that Great Lakes Church can be focused on the mission and not on fundraising. For those of you who continue to give sacrificially, but do not even live in our area, I will never be able to adequately express how grateful I am for you. So far this year (2010), over 40 people have embraced the love and forgiveness offered by God and have become followers of Jesus Christ. You are a part of this!
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