Vision sometimes stretches us beyond our limits and causes us to ask for grace from others and the benefit of the doubt from those you serve. Such was the case when we were given the opportunity to purchase our second home located on the church property.  We had just completed our first stewardship campaign with the goal of eliminating our mortgage debt (for the church buildings and Mercy Maternity Home).  The response had been very positive and we were on our way with our goal of getting completely out of debt at the end of the three year campaign.  This would require spending discipline as well as generosity and sacrifice from our congregation.  Then, from out of nowhere, came the opportunity to buy the home next to Mercy Maternity Home that we had eventually desired to use as a home for missionaries home on furlough or preparing to leave for the mission field.  We felt this opportunity would come several years down the road but not just after our stewardship campaign began!

The cost of the home and three acres of land was $325,000.00.   Our commitment to the congregation was that in the short-term we would take no additional financed indebtedness that incurred interest.  The owners agreed to $25,000.00 in upfront cash (which we did not have) and a $100,000.00 annual payment for the next three years, no interest or finance charges.  We had two $10,000.00 gifts in a matter of a week and the balance of $5,000.00 the next week.  It was a major step of faith but our congregation approved to move forward.

The remarkable part of this journey is that over the next three years no special offerings were requested at church to make the $100,000.00 yearly payment, not one.  Many designated gifts were given by individuals during that three year period that literally overlapped our stewardship campaign.  These designated gifts were added to the transfer of mission funds and an occasional allotment from our general fund.  In the end, no interest payment was made and the entire balance was paid off in the three year period.  Today, in addition to the various missionary families that have used the home, much of the property from this purchase is now a baseball/soccer/football field used by local recreational teams and hundreds of children in our community.

Tags: Terry Crigger, Christ's Chapel, Mercy Maternity Home