January 12, 2006

Dear Church Member,

The purpose of this letter is to bring you up to date on the status of the Ministry Activities Center ( MAC).  If you participated in the capital campaign we would like to thank you for your ongoing and faithful commitment to your pledge.  If you pledged to the capital campaign, you will find an enclosed card listing your total contribution from 2003 to 2005.   For those church members who are new to Grandin Court Baptist Church you will find this letter helpful in understanding the MAC’s history, current status and future direction.

History

The concept of a ministry activities center at Grandin Court Baptist Church has been discussed for well over a decade. It is interesting to note that a number of designated gifts were made prior to the capital campaign of 2003 which provided the seed money to move the project through its early stages.  The church family approved the concept of building a ministry activities center based on preliminary cost estimates of  $2.2 to $3.0 million and established a MAC committee to oversee the project.  David Topping was elected chairperson and the committee was composed of a broad representation from the church family.  The architectural firm of Balzer and Associates was hired to review GCBC space needs and to work with the MAC committee in developing preliminary plans and better quantify cost estimates.  Once completed Balzer and Associates gave a preliminary cost estimate of $2.8 million. This did not include site work or the cost of equipping and furnishing the MAC.  In 2003, the church family approved a three-year capital campaign, which began in May with a construction “ launch goal” of  $1.5 million.  The Capital Campaign generated pledges of  $830,000.  As of October 2005 we have received  $508,000 with seven months remaining until the campaign concludes in June of 2006.

What has been accomplished over the last 18 months?

• Several builders were interviewed and asked to provide cost estimates based on preliminary drawings.  R.L. Price Construction was selected and has committed to work with the church on a “team build” concept.
• A MAC subcommittee determined additional costs for site work, equipping and furnishing the MAC could be as much as $800,000.
• Balzer and Associates were authorized to proceed with development of a site plan which will assist us in quantifying costs and provide a required document for city planners prior to beginning construction.
• GCBC financial proforma was submitted to several lending institutions.  A MAC subcommittee reviewed proposals and is in discussions with a local lender.
• Froehling and Robertson, a geotechnical engineering firm was authorized to proceed with and has completed soils testing consisting of core drillings to determine the quality of soils supporting the MAC.  The report had favorable  results.
• Balzer and Associates were asked to proceed with a study and make recommendations to prevent storm water run-off problems.
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What are our next steps?  First we know our costs have escalated and we have not met our “ launch goal” with the capital campaign.  With this in mind, we must have a more accurate cost estimate.  The site plan and construction drawings will better define our construction costs.  We have been blessed for many years by not having a mortgage on our current facilities.  We will ask the Finance Committee to assist in determining the present and future capability of the church family in fully subscribing to a mortgage for the MAC.  This number will be critical in establishing a revised “launch goal” for construction to begin.    The cost revisions and financial implications will be presented to the church family for review.  If approved, a second capital campaign will be needed to pick up new members and ongoing commitments.   If the second capital campaign is successful, construction could begin as early as the fall of 2006 or spring of 2007.

The Lord is blessing the ministries of Grandin Court Baptist Church.  We have seen constant growth in all our ministries and church membership.  Every Sunday there are new faces in the pews.  Our budget should be fully subscribed for 2005 and the 2006 budget is reflective of the growth we have been experiencing.  The church family has consistently responded to the needs of others in its mission and designated giving.  This year alone, the Tsunami and Katrina relief special offerings raised over $26,000. 

The Ministry Activities Center is our dream to continue to expand our ministries in the community and in the world.   To turn this vision into reality will require the involvement of every church member.  A building is nothing but bricks and mortar without you.  Please pray for this project and for those who represent you in their committee assignments. 

Sincerely,

Kevin Meadows

David Topping