"A TIME TO BUILD"

For one hundred and ten years, the people of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church have been committed to this mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ. We have faithfully invited people into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and union with this church. We have seen people grow in faith through joyful worship, Bible-centered Sunday School and small groups, music ministries and programs for children, youth and adults. We have successfully sent fellow members into the world, using the gifts and resources God has given us to share His good news and offer compassionate service to those in need.

AND GOD HAS BLESSED US . . .

Today we have over 1000 members. Our 500 plus average worship attendance is ministered to through three worship services. Our children's ministries reach 150 boys and girls in a myriad of programs and events. Our music ministry has grown to thirteen choirs of various ages, handbell choirs and numerous instrumentalists. Our Young Adults make up one of our fastest growing age groups, and our Nursery is bustling with infants and toddlers every Sunday. Our youth and senior adult ministries are growing. In fact, every area of ministry is alive with the vitality of a growing, vibrant church. God has honored our faithfulness in the mission to which He has called us.

OUR DILEMMA: LACK OF SPACE . . .

Each week we see new people wanting to become a part of this growing vibrant congregation. Our lack of space threatens our ability to continue expanding our ministries and programs.

• School Sunday space is limited with every class maximizing its available space.
• Our Fellowship Hall can handle only 150 persons for a meal (meaning that 80% of our church membership cannot be housed at one time.)
• Our Kitchen is not adequate to handle our meal load much less consider expanding that service.
• Our Nurseries are full, stifling our ability to provide for the infant needs of our Young Adults.
• Our Senior Adult ministry badly needs more space for its growing programs.
• Our Fellowship Hall (though adequate to meet our current contemporary worship service needs) is too small for large worship situations, concerts and special events.

OUR SOLUTION: OUR NEW MINISTRY CENTER . . .

In 2001, a Long Range Planning Committee was reestablished and identified our most critical needs. These major needs are: Master Site Planning, Multipurpose Room, Class-rooms, Parking, Kitchen, and Contemporary Service needs. In 2007, in a Church Business Meeting, the vote to accept the report was passed.

The Building Committee selected Wilson & Lysiak Inc., to do a Master Site Planning study. After completing the study, Wilson & Lysiak Inc. made the following recommendation, “The church needs an additional new space of 37,750 square”.

Our New Ministry Center will be a 37,750 square foot multi-level, multi-use facility which will include:

• A Large Multi-Purpose Room seating 450 for dining and 675 for Special Worship, Con-cert and Event needs;
• A new Commercial Grade Kitchen to produce food service for 450 persons at one time;
• Ample Storage Space to support this expanded kitchen ministry;
• Additional Space Classrooms of varying sizes to support our Sunday School, Youth, Senior Adults and Meeting and Conference needs;
• Specially Designed Rooms to meet the needs of our Youth/College Ministry;
• Large Spacious Rest room facilities; • Wide Hallways and Corridors for ease of movement;
• An Elevator for ease of access to all levels;
• Handicap-Compliant Facility so all people can enjoy the building;
• Shower Facilities for Disaster Relief;
• A new Parent/Toddler Play Area;
• Outdoor Prayer Garden, where friends can meet to visit and pray;
• 144 new Parking Spaces!!!

OUR FUNDING PLAN: “A Time To Build” . . .

This is the title of our capital stewardship program designed to help raise the financial resources needed to carry out our building project. In this program each of us is asked to consider making a financial commitment, over and above our current giving, to be paid over three years. The Biblical idea in giving is not one person giving what another can give, but giving what God has enabled each of us to give.

Therefore, our stewardship theme is: “Not Equal Gifts, But Equal Sacrifice”.

Sacrifice envisions the idea that though each of us gives different dollar amounts, all of us can give equally in acts of sacrifice that enhance and enlarge our giving ability. Through specific acts of sacrifice, we can release the financial resources needed for our church to take this step forward in ministry. Sacrifice means that we ask ourselves, “What can I eliminate from my spending to increase my giving? What spending can I delay in order to give more? What can I do to increase my income to increase my giving? What things can I donate that would have financial value for my church?”

Our campaign prayer is: “God, what would you have me and my family to do to accomplish Your will in our church?” Commit yourself to praying for God to lead you in specific acts of sacrifice that will allow you and your family to give an exemplary gift to God through the “a Time to Build” program. Pray for one another that we will know what God would have us do to accomplish His will at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church. Let us pray so that God may do a wonderful thing in our presence.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information about the "A Time to Build" program, the new ministry center, or about making a financial contribute please contact our church offices (336-292-3567).