Updates
May 15th, 2012
God is enabling the Lake of thee Woods Church to “enlarge the place of its tent” and spread the good news of Jesus Christ. The success of the Expanding Our Vision campaign at its half-way point has allowed us to significantly reduce our mortgage debt, increase our mission giving, add needed programs, and bring Tom Savage on board as our young families pastor.
KEEPING THE VISION
We give thanks and celebrate a group of committed church members who have given or pledged more than $1.2 million to Expanding Our Vision. Their faithful support will leave us only about $200,000 short of completely retiring our church debt – a goal we did not envision possible when we started.
FINISHING STRONG
We can totally eliminate our debt if our remaining members would consider giving or pledging as little as one dollar a day for the next 18 months – sacrificing a Coke or a cup of coffee daily would do it. We are so close, and regardless of amount, every gift is very significant as we strive to reach this great milestone for our church. Please prayerfully consider how you can financially support this goal.
GIVING
Pledge cards and envelopes are available at the church, but you can now give or pledge online by clicking the button below.
Make sure you identify your contributions for Expanding Our Vision!
March 1st, 2012
By Dick Rankin and the EOV Team
“Lord, what would YOU do through me to accomplish YOUR will in my church?”
Collectively, as a church, we made this prayer to God as we were Expanding Our Vision for Making Christ Known in and through us. Over this first year of our stewardship journey, the Lord has responded loud and clear. Making Christ Known is our calling and He has blessed us and this mission bountifully! Your contributions have totaled more than $870,000, the cvhurch has contributed $60,000 to three very deserving mission endeavors, and we have reduced our total debt by 60 percent to $585,000 and our monthly debt payments from nearly $11,000 to under $4,000. Most importantly, a new name and title — Pastor Tom Savage, Young Families and Outreach Pastor — has been added to our pastoral team, and the Lord has guided us in this transformational decision with no impact — not one dime — to our annual budget. Pastor Savage is on board, focused and committed to expanding our vision for Making Christ Known.
Even greater than the financial blessings associated with the EOV journey have been the spiritual blessings. We have become more united behind a common vision for ministry, and many have grown tremendously in our understanding of stewardship and the joy in giving. As a result of these blessings, many have come to think of this journey as a time of deep spiritual renewal. Expanding Our Vision is changing our church in ways that have clearly been anointed by our Lord.
We have heard the biblical call to “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your curtains wide, do not hold back … ” (Isaiah 54:2) and we have responded.It is not time to rest; there is more work to be done! While we celebrate the lord’s blessings we still need to contribute our time, talents and money to continue the journey. Reducing our debt has proven to be a true blessing; eliminating our debt over the next two years so that we can re-direct those funds to God’s work will be a real JOY. Our committed resources — time, talent, money — will be critical to supporting Pastor Savage, the entire pastoral staff, and the church in Making Christ Known at 1 Church Lane and beyond. There is time and there is room for more to join the journey!
November 21st, 2011
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There’s new information about the EOV campaign! |
On the first-year anniversary of the Expanidng Our Vision stewardship journey, The Lake of the Woods Church celebrated a milestone at its Nov. 20 services. To the glory of God, 52 percent of the outstanding mortgage on the church buildings had been eliminated!
On Nov. 1, 2010, our mortgage was $1,470,517; by the end of November 2011 the mortgage will be less than $770,000.
An exhibit in the Gathering Place shows how God has been working through this campaign. Stop by and take a look at how far we’ve come and then let’s get to work to finish strong!
October 17th, 2011
Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, is the first anniversary of Expanding Our Vision, our stewardship journey, focused on paying off mortgage debt, extending our outreach to the community, increasing our mission support, hiring a new pastor and funding some urgent capital programs.
We are overwhelmingly grateful for those who have responded to the Vision and have given unselfishly to the cause. Because of you, The Lake of the Woods Church has been able to reduce its mortgage de4bt by almost 50 percent in the first year. On Nov. 1, 2010, our mortgage was $1,470,517; by the end of November 2011 the mortgage will be less than $770,000. Because of the low interest rate environment, we have a committee established to begin negotiating the new mortgage.
The Pastoral Search Committee is established and interviewing and reviewing potential prospects for our new pastor. We have been faithful in our increased mission support by contributing our allotted funds to Camp red Arrow, Wycliffe Bible Translators and JAARS.
In November, our celebration month, you will be receiving a copy of your pledge account reminding you of the amount of your pledge and what you have paid to date. It is a good time prayerfully to review your commitment and adjust it if necessary,. If you have not pledge, you will receive a reminder that all are encouraged to participate, and you will have the opportunity to join us in this great endeavor.
In our Expanding Our Vision theme song, Dave Goodrich has articulated the theme of this Vision:
“Help us to see how we must grow,
Help us to know how to give back to You”
Come join us on Sunday, Nov. 20, for our first anniversary celebration! (Watch for details in the Sunday bulletin and on this Web site.)
– Barbara Crawford
May 17th, 2011
Barbara Crawford gave an update on the Expanding Our Vision campaign at worship services on May 8, 2011. Following is a transcript of her report:
”Good Morning. It is my privilege to express our “Thank You!” and. and give you a six-month update on Expanding Our Vision, our stewardship journey. The goal we set in November was $1,800,000. This would primarily pay the church mortgage, which would enable us increase our ministry to young families, extend our outreach inside and outside the Lake, become more missional in our outreach and perform several critical building repairs.
“Because of your generosity we have received $515,206 (in the first 6 months). You have been generous, gracious and prayful and have responded to the call of the church.
“Your pledges have grown to over $1.400,00, and that means that we have received over 30 percent of our pledged amount. Most of the contributions have been applied directly to the mortgage of the church. For the first time since we built the addition in 2005, we are carrying less than $1,000,000 of debt. Thank You.
“In addition, you have contributed $15,000 to Wycliffe Bible Translators to buy 450 of these hand-held, solar-powered black boxes. Wycliffe calls it a “MegaVoice.” We call it the Word of God. Because of current technology, people who can neither read nor write for the first time can hear the word of God in their native tongue. Each person who receives this has agreed to gather 10 additional people to listen to the Word. With matching funds from a generous donor, we are able to send 900 of these to Nigeria to impact a minimum of 9,000 people who live in rural areas, who will gather together and listen to God’s word in their native language. We are participating in fulfilling the great commission, preaching God’s word to all the nations.
“Because of Expanding Our Vision, we were able to provide $13,300 to Camp Red Arrow, to get their utility systems operational for the camp which opens in June. Over 120 members of The Lake of the Woods Church will spend two days next weekend getting the camp ready for opening day. (That’s 60 more than went last October.)
“Our Search Committee has been evaluating applications for a new family pastor. Over 30 resumes have been received and the preliminary phone call interviews have begun. If you would like more information on the selection process, visit our Website at lowchurch.org.
“Expanding Our Vision is a three-year process. We began six months ago, and we have made great strides. Our goal is reduce our mortgage as much as possible — each dollar that is applied to mortgage principal reduces it. One year from now we will need to refinance whatever amount is left.
“There are several ways you can help: 1. If possible, can you escalate your pledge payments into this year? 2. Since the economy seems to be picking up, can you reevaluate your pledge and increase it. 3. If you haven’t been able to participate, join us in this great endeavor. Pledge cards are on the back table or if you just wish to contribute by check, write “Vision” on the memo line, or if you wish to donate cash, use one of the white envelopes write your name and the word ”Vision” so we can give you credit. Please write a separate check for your contribution to Expanding Our Vision.
“Our journey is unfolding; our goal is attainable. We will walk this path together covered in prayer and focused on the vision. Thank You.
March 28th, 2011
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New totals for the Expanding Our Vision campaign were annonced at the end of February. A placard showing our progress is on display in The Gathering Place, where all can see how well the campaign is going. As of Feb. 28, the total pledged was $1,431,187 and the total received was $378,376. Plans are for the sign to be updated monthly. |
March 26th, 2011
By Dick Rankin
“We wish to express our thanks to each one of you who have faithfully prayed and given to the ministry of Children’s Bible Ministries (Camp Red Arrow). Because of your interest and support, we are able to continue this vital outreach to the next generation.” — C. Perry Utz
This is from Mr. Utz’s letter thankingf LOWC for our $13,000 Expanding Our Vision (EOV) contribution in the past month to support the opening of Camp Red Arrow, located within a few miles of our front gate. He went on to write, “We are praying to open Camp Red Arrow this year for the young people to begin a new experience in camping. There is still much to be done to see this become a reality. Several major projects still need to be accomplished and the final state inspections from … governmental agencies need to be completed. On behalf of CBM of VA, I wanted to thank you for your very generous check for Camp Red Arrow. With the opening day of camp getting closer every day, your support will help (verious) projects to be completed on time. We’re looking forward to this expansion of our ministry. Your support and prayers mean so much.”
A major tenet of the EOV mission is to commit 10% of our journey’s contributions to furthering our mission of Making Christ Known through our support to missions beyond our community. Camp Red Arrow is one of the missions we will be partnering with over the course of our EOV journey.
Our Baord of Elders has approved the Missions Committee plan to partner with four missions over the next three years and support them financially exclusively from the EOV account. The missions include:
- Camp Red Arrow — We have a 3-year commitment of $40,000, of which we have already provided $13,000, to support opening of the cmap by June.
- Wycliffe Bible Translators — We transferred $15,000 this month, our full contribution, to take advantage of another donor’s commitment to match our contribution, doubling the impact of our support.
- Jungle Aviation & Radio Support (JAARS) – This world-wide Bible distribution organization will receive $15,000; $5,000 will be distributed this September.
- India National Inland Mission — We are committed to providing $40,000 to this organization that supports over 5,000 orphaned Christian children in India. Our first distribution of $13,000 will be made in December.
During 2011 we are committing $46,000 from our EOV contributions to support Making Christ Known in the world community of Christian believers. The Good News is that because of your generous commitment to the Expanding Our Vision jourey you have already made a difference to the tune of $28,000 just 3 months into or journey. AND rememer, the 10% commitment to mission support from Expanding Our Vision is in addition to our regular commitment to missions support from the LOWC operating budget.
The Expanding Our Vision journey, that is your commitment to the journey, has alrady touched the lives of so many around the world reaching out to Know Christ Better! Mr. Utz said it best in his letter to us.
Without prayer, no work will last for eternity.
Without giving, no work can proceed.
Without serving, so work can be accomplished.
And agove all, without JESUS, we can do nothing.
Because of you, we are underway on our Journey. We are Expanding Our Vision of Making Christ Known through The Lake of the Woods Church!
January 29th, 2011
Mike Rugless, a leader of the Expanding Our Vision stewardship journey, presented a progress report to the congregation at all four worship services on Sunday, Jan. 30, showing that pledges and collections are well ahead of expectations. Already efforts are under way to direct the contributions to their intended purposes: mortgage paydown, missions and hiring a family pastor. The numbers are represented in the chart below.
December 21st, 2010
There’s only a few more days in which your donation to the Expanding Our Vision campaign will be deductable during the 2010 tax year. Donations must be in the church office no later than Dec. 30 to qualify for your 2010 tax return.
We have a separate account in a separate bank for Expanding Our Vision. To make sure that we attribute your contributions to their proper accounts, please separate your regular contributions from your Vision gifts. Write “Vision” on the memo line of your check or on the outside of a cash envelope.
December 19th, 2010
Barbara Crawford, a leader of the Expanding Our Vision stewardship journey, began to compile a list of 10 things she has learned as the journey has progressed. As time went on, the list grew longer and longer, as the blessings grew greater and greater. Here’s Barbara’s list:
Ten things I have learned during the Expanding Our Vision stewardship journey!
1. God is in Control
2. That Pastor Tom has a real passion for Mission.
3. That prayer is the driver, the covering, and the comfort.
4. That criticism roles off my back, but kind and encouraging words penetrate my heart.
5. That if you are not flexible daily, you can’t make it through the week.
6. That people perform above expectations.
7. That the Fawn Lake Community (A community outside the gate) sends us their best, brightest and most talented people.
8. That Pastor Jim has a tremendous mind for detail and reminds people gently and consistently of what needs to be done.
9. That our people have a deep seated need to voice their opinion, and we have an obligation not only to hear but to listen.
10. That when God calls us to a challenge, he provides people to complete the task.
11. That people on our committees travel all the time.
12. That everyone is capable of giving; it’s a matter of prayer and attitude.
13. That when members of this Church minister to people, they change lives.
14. That when Pastor Adam catches an idea, you need a sunshield, because his enthusiasm burns so bright.
15. That if you don’t focus on God and the Vision, doubt puts on your feet shoes of concrete. It says, “Your goal is impossible, you can’t do that, people don’t like what you are doing, they don’t like the way you are doing it. You can’t ask people to contribute, there is a bad economy. Why do you need another pastor, why should I send my money to India? “ That if you don’t focus on God and the Vision, doubt puts on your feet shoes of concrete.
16. That none of us are exempt from growing—what matters is, do we embrace it graciously, or do we refuse it and miss the blessing.
17. That the Church Staff here is kind, and patient and amazingly accommodating.
18. That Norma Ervin and her team of ladies can make any event special even without the use of a kitchen.
19. That God’s Grace is sufficient for each of us, just enough and it comes one day at a time (just like Manna)
20. That this Church (our own Lake of the Woods Church) that we love is blessed by God and touched by Him to Make Christ Known.
21. That what I thought was the culmination and the end on Announcement Sunday, was just the beginning.
22. Those members of the congregation, who frowned at the idea of Expanding Our Vision, have listened and prayed and congratulated us on what we are doing.
23. That Sherri Gaskins can have willing children attend the 8:30 service to hold up numbers who would otherwise still be in bed.
24. That God has called us 9 times in the Scripture to sing a New Song, and Dave Goodrich gave us one to sing.
25. That fidelity and faithfulness operate in the lives of quiet people, those that do not talk about what they do, they just do itl
26. That the Widow’s Mite in Scripture comes alive, when you look at a pledge card from an elderly, frail gentlemen with terribly shaky handwriting, who pledges $2 a week.
27. That God calls some people to be extremely generous, above and beyond any reasonable contribution, and they give anonymously and graciously.
28. That the orphans in India, because of you, will have a life and the opportunity to spread the gospel.
29. That leader’s lead by example, by dedication, by patience and by tolerance.
30. That our God reigns, and he is not nearly finished with us yet.
