Buildings themselves don’t make disciples. But buildings help us make disciples because they provide a place to gather people, love them, and teach them God’s word. Over the years we’ve been able to get by in classrooms, community centres, schools and the Hub. But we’re convinced this location will help us love, reach out and teach people more effectively. It will be practical for ministry, it increases our reach into the community, it’s something we can pass onto the next generation, and it affords us security in an increasingly hostile world.

$5.25M really does sound like a lot. However, in today’s real estate market that’s only 7-8 homes. It really will be a stretch and we do need to pray that God will help us, however, as our finance experts have assessed the feasibility of this property, we’re convinced it’s within reach and as a family we can take on this opportunity. It’s too good an opportunity to miss.

We understand forecasting your giving can be difficult and even with the best planning, your circumstances can change unexpectedly. If over the course of the next 12 months, before June 2022, you discover you are unable to fulfil your pledge commitment please let us know so we can adjust our donation expectations.

It’s entirely up to you. The cost of the property needs to come from two buckets. Tax deductible gifts will cover about 70% of the purchase price, plus future construction. Non tax deductible gifts are needed to cover the remaining 30% of the purchase price, plus any modification to the auditorium. This means unless you’re planning to maximise your donation through tax deductible giving, we’d love your gift to be non tax deductible.

We’d really love all pledges fulfilled by 30 June 2022. However, we’d want to encourage people to make use of the tax deductible refund by giving in this financial year, before end of June 2021, and factoring that into their donation. If you have your donation ready, we’d love you to fulfil your pledge as soon as reasonably possible.

You could just make a donation, but there are some valuable aspects of pledging. First, pledging is helpful for you because it invites you to make a considered, prayerful decision with God to be generous. Second, pledging is helpful for church as we plan our finances and potential renovations with your pledge in mind.

However, we understand that some people may feel a conscience issue about making a “pledge”. And that’s okay. In that case, we would encourage you to make a donation as soon as you are reasonably able to so we can include it in our planning.

If you are making a tax-deductible donation, please provide your contact details on your Pledge Card so we can issue you a tax receipt in the new financial year.

This campaign won’t be your only chance to contribute. Working towards a flourishing multi-purpose ministry centre is a long-term gospel project that will last many years. For example, when we move in would be a great opportunity to pay down the loan together; when we need to expand our youth capacity or add kids facilities, etc. Our needs will grow as our church does.

Just like our usual church giving process, only the finance committee will manage pledges. If you need to update your pledge or ask any questions please email finance@hunterbiblechurch.org

As we move into this next phase, the Building Acquisition Committee will go through a transition of purpose and team members in order to focus on the planning and development of the site. As always, we’ll want to do this in consultation with architects and experts, and we’re always open to anybody’s ideas!

We’d love to hear them! Good questions help the Building Committee ensure they have looked at everything. And we always want to hear your great suggestions, feedback and ideas for the building! Please email building@hunterbiblechurch.org