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About the Campaign 'On the Move' >>
God has led us to believe that an inviting, full-time facility is a critical tool in realizing His passion for expanding the Kingdom and transforming lives. We believe God will expand His Kingdom through our move to a permanent home in three main ways.
Greater visibility - The wonderful things God has been doing at Evergreen-Bloomington have been hidden in a school building. Many more people will discover a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ simply through this highly visible presence in the community.
Greater stability - A permanent home sends a strong message to our church family and our community: ‘We are here for good—for this generation and generations to come!’
Greater ability - A full-time facility will become a base for creative local outreach as well as developing workers for future church plants in the years to come.
We own the building and are currently leasing it to Trinity School while they complete the construction of their new school. Trinity plans to move into their new building in December 2007. Once they vacate the building, we will need time to do whatever repair and renovation work is affordable at the time. Depending upon the extent of the work done, it may be feasible to move to the building in late spring, 2008.
While highly unlikely, if construction delays were to prevent Trinity from moving into their new building in December 2007 they would then not move until June 2008 when the school year is completed; under that scenario we may need to wait to move to the building until late fall, 2008. Again, this would be determined by the time required for the repair and renovation work.
One of the conditions of the sale was to buy the building “as is” – the building needs some near term roof and heating and cooling repair. This work will be done in conjunction with the renovation work.
Currently, renovations to the building have been divided into two phases based on priority. Phase One involves renovations to create a welcoming entry-way to the building, to create an expanded, open, welcoming gathering space, to create an alternative service area called the Video Café and to make numerous upgrades to the existing auditorium so that it is an environment appropriate for our weekend services.
Phase Two involves renovations to the current school classrooms which would create environments matching the stated desires of our various ministries including nursery, pre-school, Sunday school, youth, and so on. Renovations will also be made so as to better accommodate our central church office which will move from Burnsville into this building.
In the same way your family would if you went out and bought a 40 year old home. You no doubt would have picked this particular home because of its location, its price but also because it most closely met your family’s needs. But it is not a perfect fit. You and your family would then have to decide what repairs and renovations were at the top of your list and then based on what you could afford; you begin making the desired changes. The church is operating in a very similar manner.
The Building Committee (made up of members of the congregation) with the assistance of our architectural firm, Miller Dunwiddie and with input from the pastors has been meeting to assess needs and make decisions about the prioritization of repairs and renovations. Repairs to the roof are a high priority so we avoid potential structural damage from leaks. Upgrades to the HVAC system are a high priority because we desire a consistent level of comfort throughout the building; we wish to avoid inconvenient and unexpected system failures; and because we will save a lot of money in the long term in lower utility costs by having more energy efficient systems.
With regard to renovation work, the Building Committee started with one basic priority – we need to start by making the building easily accessible and as warm and welcoming as possible – as such, priority is being given to the entry way to the building, the gathering space and the worship spaces. Priority was also given to these areas because it is much easier and much more cost effective to do renovation in these areas while the building is still unoccupied.
There are a few renovations that are necessary to make the building functional. But beyond the few critical, functional renovations, there are other renovations that we would like to pursue as God gives us money to do so. Our church's mission statement is "Attract the World to Christ." We are dedicating our building to God's glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. We want to be a church that is influential in the community by winning people to Christ.
There are two main ways we envision that the building will help us in that mission: 1) A building will create a platform for new outreach and community serving projects and 2) A building will help our people invite friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers to church. Imagine inviting neighbors to your home. You would like your home to be as comfortable, inviting, and functional as possible. In the same way, renovations in our building will help create a greater enthusiasm among our people to be mission-minded.
Above all, we do not want to make foolish decisions by obligating ourselves financially beyond what we can afford. However, there is risk in everything we do in life. In fact, faith implies risk. If there is no risk, then there is no step of faith.
After we have received the campaign pledge total, the pastors and others will prayerfully consider what is an appropriate financial risk to take and make decisions on how much money should be used for payments toward our loan and how much money should be used for renovations. Keep in mind that it will be easier to grow the church with more renovations (see question above).
Also, the more renovations we do up front, the cheaper it will be in the long run. It is very expensive to do renovations in an occupied building. We realize that people can have legitimately different opinions on these delicate financial decisions. People draw risk lines at different places. For the sake of unity, we hope that the church enthusiastically endorses the decision of the leadership team responsible for this important decision.
Back in the spring of 2005 planning teams from each of the ministry groups within our church participated in the development of a space programming document. This space programming document captured both current and future facility needs of each ministry. Based upon this input, the Building Committee and architectural firm made decisions as to how to best meet each ministry’s needs and developed the necessary building design documents to illustrate how these needs could best be met with the Trinity building.
Each ministry area has been and will continue to be consulted on these types of needs for their particular space in the building. Input will also be provided by our architectural firm, Miller Dunwiddie and the Building Committee.
Stay tuned. As we move closer to taking possession of the building, we anticipate needing teams of volunteers to help with a variety of tasks within the building. As that time approaches, announcements about the formation of such teams will be placed in our church bulletin and on our website. If you own a building trades company and want to know if you could do sub-contract work with our general contractor, Anderson Builders, please contact Lynn Newman at 952-564-3765.
While Opening New Doors has been a very successful campaign for our church, there are still considerable resources needed to cover expenses related to the purchase and renovation of the Trinity School property and our exciting new ministry opportunities in Bloomington and beyond.
The status of the first campaign which ends June 30, 2007 is as follows:
Current commitments - $2,562,640
Commitments received as of 2/28/07 -$1,964,226
Commitments yet to be paid* - $598,414
Church savings contributed to the campaign - $125,000
Total Cash Available - $2,089,226
*We are expecting that these remaining commitments will be received by the conclusion of the Opening New Doors Campaign which ends 6/30/07.
Monies from the Opening New Doors Campaign were used as follows:
Down payment on the building - $1,421,250
Principal reduction payments on loan - $310,000
Building search expenses - $67,550
Campaign expenses (Generis, printed materials, postage, celebration) - $108,350
Costs related to the purchase (building assessment, inspections, attorney fees, closing costs) - $123,400
Renovation design work - $42,600
Total Cash Used YTD -$2,073,150
Additional monies received through the end of this campaign will be applied to the needs for the “On the Move” campaign.
See “On the Move” Realizing the Dream
The monies raised in the “On the Move” campaign will address four primary needs:
Building renovations
Design work has been completed so as to make the building most suitable for our church; a great deal can be done to create a welcoming gathering space, beautiful auditorium, friendly Sunday school and nursery rooms but our ability to do this work will depend upon how much money is raised from the campaign.
Building repair
One of the conditions of the sale was to buy the building “as is” – the building needs some near term roof and heating and cooling repair.
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment
When Trinity moves they will be taking most of their belongings with them. As such, we will need to purchase the furniture and equipment necessary to do church.
Paying off the loan
Our ability to do this quickly will free up general operating funds that can go directly into new ministries, services, personnel and future church plants. Monies raised will also cover the costs associated with conducting the “On the Move” campaign.
We will again be using the same outside stewardship partner that assisted us on the first campaign. Their organization has undergone a name change and they are now known as Generis Partners LLC. We feel that they were a key to our success in the Opening New Doors campaign and they have a proven track record of success with churches. While Generis provides us with considerable good advice, services, resources and training, the vast majority of work to make this campaign a success is being done by faithful, committed volunteers from our congregation thus making this our campaign.
We feel that spending money on a consultant to guide us through the campaign process is a wise use of money. Our money is buying a great deal of consultant expertise and consultant time that our church staff does not have. Communications to a church congregation about money issues is never easy; our consultant brings a vast amount of experience having worked with many churches.
In addition, organizing a volunteer campaign structure and assisting with the implementation of all the various aspects of a campaign takes not only expertise but a considerable amount of time – something our consultant is able to provide. Without Generis, the church would have had to hire additional staff to do this work.
We are continuing to use the services of the architectural firm, Miller Dunwiddie. Miller Dunwiddie is assisting us with the renovation design plans for the building, including obtaining the necessary approvals and permits from the city of Bloomington. Miller Dunwiddie will be working very closely with our General Contractor, Anderson Builders, as we finalize renovation plans based upon available resources.
Giving to the “On the Move” campaign will occur from July 1, 2007 until June 30, 2010.
We will be asking everyone to make a commitment to the campaign at special services the weekend of May 4th – 6th. While the “On the Move” campaign giving does not officially begin until July 1, 2007, we anticipate receiving gifts before then. As there are many “up front” costs related to the building renovations, it will be helpful to have as much cash in hand as possible to pay these expenses.
The first campaign officially closes on June 30, 2007. We would like you, if possible, to complete your commitment to the first campaign by that date. If you have any questions about that, please contact Jim Bird at 952-564-3771. We are asking that you prayerfully consider an entirely new commitment to this second “On the Move” campaign for three years from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010.
Non-cash gifts such as stock, property and other similar type investments are welcome – please contact Jim Bird at 952-564-3771 to discuss the details. Gifts in kind that will assist us in meeting the furnishing requirements for the building are welcome. In this regard, however, we are NOT looking for you to clean out your basement, garage or attic.
If you are aware of ways to secure large quantities of new or slightly used classroom type furniture (for nursery, Sunday school, youth ministries, etc.) either for free or for below cost, please contact Lynn Newman at 952-564-3765. Please keep in mind that because we do not have storage capacity we are limited in what we can accept until we actually take possession of the building.
We greatly appreciate your faithfulness in giving regularly to Evergreen. Your gifts to the general operating fund are absolutely critical to the ongoing ministry accomplished through the Bloomington location. We know that giving above and beyond that is an uncomfortable challenge. But we ask you to prayerfully consider what God would have you do. Kingdom work here on earth is never ending and God directs that this work be funded by gifts from His people.
Through faith we are able to do far more for God than we might at first believe. This requires that we live with different priorities and some amount of sacrifice. Please go to God and ask Him what you might do.
Absolutely not. The goal of the campaign is to encourage every person to pray and seek God. God is able to show every willing person what to give. The decision whether to give and how much to give is between you and God. This verse is guiding us through this campaign: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV)
We are far more eager to see every person engage with this journey of faith and seek God, than we are to raise a lot of money. Will more campaigns like this be needed in the future? We do not know because we do not know the timing and the amount of resources we might be blessed with. Also, we do not know how God will choose to direct our ministry in the future.
The goal of the campaign is indeed high. Yet this goal accurately reflects the need. All through the Bible, God placed His people in tough, seemingly impossible, situations. He did this to test their faith. When God asked Jeremiah to buy a worthless field, Jeremiah came to the Lord to cast his anxiety about his hard-earned money going down the drain. Then after I had given the papers to Baruch, I prayed to the Lord: “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! …You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. … You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name famous to this day. (Jeremiah 32:16-20 NLT) Then God reassured Jeremiah. Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah 32:26-27 NLT)
Anything is possible for God. Nothing is too hard for Him. Into His hands we commit ourselves. If He chooses not to provide for the entire goal, then we will rest in that. We trust that He is good and He will be good to us regardless of the outcome. Everything He does is worthy of our trust.
We purchased the Trinity School building in July 2006 for $5,276,250. Loan amount $3,855,000 – ($5,276,250 purchase price minus down payment of $1,421,250) Interest only payments from July 2006 – June 2010 plus required principal payments noted below. Interest and principal payments from July 2010 – June 2015 Interest rate 8.16% Total Loan Amount $3,855,000 Principal Amount Paid YTD -$310,000 Balance of Principal Remaining $3,545,000 Required Principal Payment due: 7/11/08 -$45,000 Balance of Principal Remaining $3,500,000 Required Principal Payment due: 7/11/10 -$500,000 Balance of Principal still due as of July 2010 $3,000,000
Current monthly interest plus small amount of principal payment is $26,250 per month. (Paid by Trinity School – lease payment) If reduction on principal is only the minimum amount required ($545,000) starting in July 2010, the monthly payment (principal and interest) will be approximately $23,500 per month.
The loan is to be paid by June 2015. If it is not all paid then a new mortgage will have to be obtained.
A number of financial institutions, both locally and nationally, were solicited to obtain financing to purchase the Trinity property. Since for the first few years our source of funds to pay back the loan is a capital campaign all of the financing proposals offered by the financial institutions were variations of an interest only loan with periodic principal payments. Each of the financing proposals we received were reviewed by a committee made up of a banker, savvy business person and Evergreen finance personnel.
The pros and cons of each proposal were weighted and the best option was selected. The option we chose had the lowest interest rate. While the 8.16% interest rate may seem high, especially for those of you used to seeing much lower residential bank loan interest rates, this rate was the most competitive across the financial institutions we looked at for a commercial interest only loan. Bond financing was also investigated and considered. In our investigation we learned that this type of financing would be more expensive, provide less flexibility in making payments, and take years longer to pay back than an interest only loan with periodic principal payments.
We are currently paying $8,300 per month to rent Oak Grove. We do not have exact monthly operating costs for Trinity but based upon research our current estimate is that we will need $6,700. This amount includes utilities and insurance but does not include lawn care, snow removal, maintenance, janitorial services and a repair and replacement fund.
In addition, because the church office will move into the Trinity building, the Bloomington location will save approximately $3,385 per month in what would normally go to help offset the rent costs for the church office in Burnsville.
And finally, since we have known for some time that we will be moving into our own building, we have taken into account the expected increases in costs and have begun to build that into our current operating budget.
It is anticipated that the capital campaign will allow us to pay down the loan balance so as to reduce monthly principal and interest payments. We also anticipate that our presence in a permanent facility will attract new people who will give. At some point Bloomington’s general operating budget will need to absorb the monthly principal and interest payments as well as the operating costs discussed above.
Yes, we have a working budget and yes, we can really afford the building.
The decision as to how building maintenance will be handled has not yet been made. It very likely will be some combination of additional staff, volunteers and a service contract with a maintenance provider.
Regardless of a building, money needs to be a constant issue in our church. Money was a constant issue with Jesus. He talked more about money that he did about heaven or hell. God knows that money is an incredibly important spiritual issue. Much is at stake on how we use our time, money and spiritual gifts. Money has a way of placing us face-to-face with deep issues of our heart – like greed and fear and generosity and boldness.
Therefore, regardless of a building, we will talk about money at Evergreen. It is a critical spiritual discipleship issue. We do not, however, wish to be forced to talk about money because of constant financial pressures related to owning a building. If God inspires great generosity with this campaign and meets a great financial need then we feel under less financial pressure. However, it may be God’s will for us to continue to be under financial pressure so we will constantly depend upon and trust Him.
This will be one of our many spiritual challenges. This is a journey of faith and we are placing the outcome of this campaign in His hands. When the Lord provided manna in the desert, the Israelites soon became discontent and wanted more. We trust that we do not follow their example. We are determined to praise God for whatever He does. Everything He does is worthy of our trust.
We will be grateful with whatever God provides. God performed a miracle when the Trinity property became available. After a two and a half year search it was looking more and more like finding a permanent full-time facility in Bloomington was not going to happen. It took faith to wait upon God. Now God has provided us a building – a tool – which we hope to use very effectively to attract the world to Christ. We will continue to walk in faith and trust God. His provisions, in His timing, will be enough.