Project 50

The last few years have been challenging for Calvary with the slow economy and pastoral transition. During that time, the people of Calvary have been incredibly generous. However, we have not been able to keep pace with the upkeep on our buildings and technical infrastructure and we have had to rely on our savings to meet our obligations. We would love to be able to make some necessary changes to help these buildings keep pace with the demanding needs of ministry and of our community and to replenish our emergency funds.

When Does It Begin?

Beginning June 2011, we invite you to give to Project 50 over and above your regular giving. We hope to raise $250,000 by October 1.

What Is Included?

There are some projects we want to complete at all our campuses.

At the Mid Rivers Campus, we would love to freshen up the exterior of the campus with some needed work on our parking lot and landscaping. Many people will equate the care we give to the exterior of our property to the care we give to people inside the building. Our children's and youth wings are a bit dated in décor and we would love to be able to create some new sacred spaces for them to worship, pray, learn, and seek God. While the worship center is not that old, some of the technological infrastructure is dated and near the end of its life cycle. Some necessary changes are in order to keep it up-to-date and functional. While we value the importance of public and private prayer, we do not have any place designated for prayer. How we use our space is indicative of our priorities. Extra funds would help us convert some of our space to a designated prayer and response room.

At the West Campus we will enhance some of our children's area particularly the exterior playground and to provide some new sidewalks.

The Connections Campus would benefit from facility upgrades. To enhance communication and the flow of data and information among the campuses, we need to increase our communication and Internet infrastructure.

While we have kept pace with all our obligations, it has been at the expense of not keeping money aside in an emergency fund. Should we suddenly have an unexpected major expense, we would be hard-pressed to meet it. We want to be able to put money aside to protect us should something unforeseen happen.

Believing that the one who gives generously will reap generously, we want to give away a tenth of what we receive for missional projects locally and globally. Later this year, we will be studying the life of Jonah and we will look at what it means to be a missionary for Christ. Project 50 resources will allow us to be generous during that series.

How Do I Participate?

To participate, just drop your check in the offering each week - but be sure to earmark it "Project 50." No special envelope is needed. Or, if you'd prefer, you can click here give online. If you would like to give a non-monetary gift - stocks, property, etc - please call our finance office at 636.939.4343. x1111.

Frequently Asked Questions

An amount of $250K seems low to me. Shouldn't we be asking for more?

We believe that given our economic situation and our future that this is a manageable goal. A small amount of money will greatly help us get ready for our 50th. We do expect that as we celebrate our 50th year that we will be having a special anniversary project for people to give to at that time. We would love to see additional funds come in. Should that happen we would set them aside to increase our emergency fund and to help pay off our $5 million debt.

Given our $5 million debt, shouldn't we be paying that off now?

We would love to be paying off that debt. The money we spend to service that debt could be used in so many other places. We are looking at some future options to reduce the debt but in the meantime we believe there is some needed investment in current ministry. Over the long term we believe this investment will have significant returns in strong ministry and future giving. We certainly invite you to give to our Building Fund which will go towards debt reduction.

Aren't these items that were budgeted for already?

While we have been able to maintain stability over the past two years, we have not met our budgeted giving amount – in fact, we have been several hundred thousand dollars under our budgeted giving amount over that time frame. The result is that we have not been able to repair, maintain and update our facilities and equipment as we would have wanted to. Project 50 is an attempt to make up some of this difference so we can take care of our facility and equipment as we look forward to our 50th anniversary.

When is the 50th Anniversary?

Calvary's 50th anniversary is in early 2012. We are planning a year long celebration with a number of different activities to give thanks for God's faithfulness in Calvary's past and looking at what God has in store for the next 50 years. Stay tuned for details.

How were these particular projects chosen?

Over the last few months the leadership team developed a list of areas that need financial attention. Through reflecting, dialoguing, priority setting, and consulting with the elders we have developed this list.

Will all the campuses benefit?

Yes, we were very strategic in choosing projects that would further ministry at each of our campuses and which would help us as one church in 3 locations to function efficiently.

At the Mid Rivers Campus, we plan to repair a portion of our parking lot, we hope to update some of our aging sound and tech equipment, including some of this equipment for the youth ministry, we hope to address some interior décor issues and we plan to provide a designated place of prayer.

At the West Campus, we plan to add outdoor play equipment, as well as an additional walkway from the children's area to improve the flow out of the children's ministry area on Sunday morning.

At the Connections Campus, we plan to update some of their sound and tech equipment. In addition, we plan to address some IT infrastructure issues that will help all three campuses. We also hope to create an emergency fund which will benefit all of our campuses as well.

Finally, we want to honor God by giving 10% of the extra funds donated to impact missions throughout the world.

Are there targets for each campus?

Taking into account the $250,000 total and the breakdown listed above, the giving targets for the campuses are:

Mid Rivers Campus: $185,000
West Campus: $45,000
Connections Campus: $20,000

What if we do not receive $250,000 in extra giving to address these items?

If we do not reach this target, we will have to prioritize what to address this year. Almost all of these items will need to be addressed in the near future and we may be forced to cut back on ministry funding to address some of these needs if the Project 50 target is not reached.

The Mid Rivers Worship Center is less than a decade old. Do we really need to spend extra funds there?

The Mid Rivers Worship Center will be ten years old next year. While the Worship Center is not old, unfortunately technology has an expiration date. Some of the technology in the worship center is dated and replacement parts are not available. Our lighting system contains some of this older technology and at times we have worried that we would be unable to keep it operating. Our staff has been extremely resourceful in helping keep our systems working.

How can I give?

Please use your regular giving vehicle and mark it as "Project 50." You can also give online by clicking here.

When do you want the money?

The sooner we receive the funds the quicker we can begin on some of these projects. We would love to have the money by the end of the summer.

Do you want me to redirect my giving to Project 50?

We would ask that you do not do that. We are asking that money above and beyond your regular giving be directed to this project. It is of no help to Calvary if our general fund suffers for the sake of this project. We are asking each and every one of us to give a little extra to support the ministry.

Are the leaders on board?

Yes they are. In fact the elders and leaders have already led the way and have given a significant portion so far.