Because You Gave
This is a massive “BECAUSE YOU GAVE” blog post! Two purchases were recently able to be made from our cash reserves because of the way you have been giving to the General Fund in recent months. None of our “For the One” funds were used in either case.
A while back, I mentioned how we’d like to buy the old Circle K property on the highway near us for an Outreach Center that would house our Food Pantry and allow us to expand our services (to increase visibility and to offer cold and frozen foods). We were told that it would be FAR LESS EXPENSIVE to purchase that property than to incorporate those facilities into the design of our new building.
A while back, I mentioned how we’d like to buy the old Circle K property on the highway near us for an Outreach Center that would house our Food Pantry and allow us to expand our services (to increase visibility and to offer cold and frozen foods). We were told that it would be FAR LESS EXPENSIVE to purchase that property than to incorporate those facilities into the design of our new building.
I also wrote how I felt we needed the land adjacent to the south edge of our property to expand our impact on our community with ballfields, gym, and a garage that would not only house vehicles for the church but also allow an auto-repair ministry to be launched.
When presented to the elders, the collective thinking was that the Outreach Center was the top priority, but that the 8 acres to the South was also very important.
Here are the efforts we took to acquire the Circle K property
1.) First donation appeal was October 2022
2.) Second donation appeal March 2023
3.) Two offers to purchase 2024 for $150,000 yielded no response
4.) June 6, 2025 - Submitted a letter of interest for $200,000
5.) June 23 Circle K countered with an offer of $275,000
6.) June 23 - we countered with $250,000, which was accepted.
They accepted our offer, but because of the way they vacated the building, turning on the electricity in order to facilitate the formal inspection was complicated. We ended up accepting the property “as is” at a reduced price of $235,000. With the people who have inspected the property on our behalf, we feel confident in moving ahead with this purchase and officially closed on Monday, February 23!
Next came the land to the South (outlined below). Our interest was in the 8 acres (to our south, extending from Monsanto Road eastward to the wash), but the owner also owned a 6 acre parcel (between the wash and Golden Acres) and didn’t want to be left with that parcel, which would be landlocked. Recently, the 8 acres had been listed at $319k alone, but with the encouragement of our realtor, the consensus of the elders was to pursue the purchase of all 14 acres. Offers shot back and forth, and last Friday, we entered into a contract to purchase all 14 acres for $270,000.
When presented to the elders, the collective thinking was that the Outreach Center was the top priority, but that the 8 acres to the South was also very important.
Here are the efforts we took to acquire the Circle K property
1.) First donation appeal was October 2022
2.) Second donation appeal March 2023
3.) Two offers to purchase 2024 for $150,000 yielded no response
4.) June 6, 2025 - Submitted a letter of interest for $200,000
5.) June 23 Circle K countered with an offer of $275,000
6.) June 23 - we countered with $250,000, which was accepted.
They accepted our offer, but because of the way they vacated the building, turning on the electricity in order to facilitate the formal inspection was complicated. We ended up accepting the property “as is” at a reduced price of $235,000. With the people who have inspected the property on our behalf, we feel confident in moving ahead with this purchase and officially closed on Monday, February 23!
Next came the land to the South (outlined below). Our interest was in the 8 acres (to our south, extending from Monsanto Road eastward to the wash), but the owner also owned a 6 acre parcel (between the wash and Golden Acres) and didn’t want to be left with that parcel, which would be landlocked. Recently, the 8 acres had been listed at $319k alone, but with the encouragement of our realtor, the consensus of the elders was to pursue the purchase of all 14 acres. Offers shot back and forth, and last Friday, we entered into a contract to purchase all 14 acres for $270,000.
WHAT’S NEXT?
1.) Prepare the Outreach Center to house our expanded Food Pantry! The purpose of our Christmas Offering was to expand the Food Pantry, but negotiations with Circle K that property wasn’t a sure thing but this was our hope. We have big dreams for this building, but initially, we will only do what is necessary to house the Food Pantry at the new location.
2.) Update the Master Plan with Churches By Daniels. The additional property will immediately help with the location of a needed access road as well as parking
3.) Replenish our Cash Reserves. This is done through our giving to the General Fund and is a necessary part of preparing for the new building we need.
4.) Proceed with Phase 2 of the design phase of our new worship center.
5.) Get our sign back up on the highway. We had a big sign that was taken down at the time of the new Circle K construction
The actions I detailed for you in this blog are consistent with what I shared a couple of weeks ago in my “Vision Night” blog, and I encourage you to go back and review that for the big picture.
More land exists that we won’t be pursuing at this time but IF someone might be interested in funding that purchase for the church, I’d be happy to show you another nine-acre parcel on a map.
HOW IS OUR GIVING USED?
1.) Giving to the General Fund expands our ability to Reach Out, Touch Lives, and Grow People to Know, Love, and Serve Jesus TODAY!
2.) Giving to For the One prepares us to Reach Out, Touch Lives, and Grow People to Know, Love, and Serve Jesus IN THE FUTURE!
Yes, we remain just as committed to building, but we will always keep the focus on ministry, and it was believed that these two purchases opened up greater possibilities for ministry now AND in the future.
1.) Prepare the Outreach Center to house our expanded Food Pantry! The purpose of our Christmas Offering was to expand the Food Pantry, but negotiations with Circle K that property wasn’t a sure thing but this was our hope. We have big dreams for this building, but initially, we will only do what is necessary to house the Food Pantry at the new location.
2.) Update the Master Plan with Churches By Daniels. The additional property will immediately help with the location of a needed access road as well as parking
3.) Replenish our Cash Reserves. This is done through our giving to the General Fund and is a necessary part of preparing for the new building we need.
4.) Proceed with Phase 2 of the design phase of our new worship center.
5.) Get our sign back up on the highway. We had a big sign that was taken down at the time of the new Circle K construction
The actions I detailed for you in this blog are consistent with what I shared a couple of weeks ago in my “Vision Night” blog, and I encourage you to go back and review that for the big picture.
More land exists that we won’t be pursuing at this time but IF someone might be interested in funding that purchase for the church, I’d be happy to show you another nine-acre parcel on a map.
HOW IS OUR GIVING USED?
1.) Giving to the General Fund expands our ability to Reach Out, Touch Lives, and Grow People to Know, Love, and Serve Jesus TODAY!
2.) Giving to For the One prepares us to Reach Out, Touch Lives, and Grow People to Know, Love, and Serve Jesus IN THE FUTURE!
Yes, we remain just as committed to building, but we will always keep the focus on ministry, and it was believed that these two purchases opened up greater possibilities for ministry now AND in the future.
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