by Eddie Coulson, Elder Chairman

God is using Grace Bible Church!  Since the Grace Southwood Campus opened in 2008, attendance at Grace has grown by 100%, ministries have expanded and opportunities for service have increased.  God has been faithful to us as we have followed His call to multiply. 

The Elders have spent several months praying, listening, analyzing data and determining how Grace should proceed forward from here.  We believe that God continues to call us to multiply ... sooner, rather than later.  To that end, the staff and budget at Grace need to be expanded so that we are prepared to open another church site.

To open a new campus in the not too distant future, Grace needs to have an operating budget that includes:

• at least one to two more pastoral level staff members
• allowances for on-going maintenance issues at our current campuses to be addressed timely
• the ability to pay down the debt for the Southwood Campus
• the flexibility to set aside money that can be used for start-up costs of a new campus

The Elders feel the urgency of God's call, so we have decided to make a mid-year adjustment to the Grace budget.  As adopted in August, the budget totaled approximately $3.45 million.  We are adjusting the budget to $4.0 million, and we believe that God will meet our need.  The increase in budget will allow Grace to begin to address the four issues outlined above.

As you pray for Grace, please pray that we will be able to respond to God's call to multiply.  God has been faithful to Grace, and I have no doubt that His faithfulness will continue as we continue to seek His face and His will for our church.