Pressing On in 2010

I had made it this far; I sure wasn’t going to turn back now!

Several years ago, my son John and I had an awesome time mountain climbing in Colorado. On our last climb, we tackled an 8-miler above the tree line, and it kicked my 50+ tail big time. At three-quarters of the way, we moved above the tree line and stopped for a quick break and a bite to eat. The view was breathtaking, a testimony to God as you can see in the picture I’ve included.

As we rested for a few minutes, I was so pleased by our progress and had great confidence that we would make it. At the same time, getting to the summit would not be easy by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, I knew it would get tougher. While John’s nimble and fit 20-something body was soaring, I was huffing and puffing in the altitude’s thin air. But I just kept quoting a favorite children’s story: “I think I can, I think I can!” I pressed on and strained my way to the summit.

Covenant Church: We made it to the tree line!

We are not yet at the summit, but we can see it in the near future. We’ve made great progress as evidenced by:

• Collecting almost 4.5 million for our three-year His Heart, Our Dream ministry campaign!
• Receiving just over $400,000 for our special offering in December. Folks have given strongly the last week of December as well.

It is amazing to watch what committed disciples can accomplish together and through the Spirit’s power! Way to go, Jesus followers!

Today, Branson and I would like to update you our ongoing challenge as we look onward the summit.

As most already know, in 2005, Covenant’s core leaders unanimously affirmed a plan to expand our facility in order to keep our doors open to the community. Increasing numbers of participants had gradually left our ministries without sufficient space, and it was time for new steps of faith.

Accordingly, a plan of action was endorsed and put into motion to expand our walls in such a way as to benefit every ministry. Subsequently, that dream was fully realized in 2009 on both sides of Corey Road. What no one expected, however, was that the most significant recession since the Great Depression would become reality at the very same time we were sacrificially funding this evangelistic goal.

So here is where we stand as of today:

1. Our HHOD giving (4.5M) was approximately 85% of what had been originally committed. That’s not bad when considering what we’ve lived through the past 18 months and our economic context today. Praise God!
2. At the same time, this 15% short-fall represents approximately $700,000.
3. As detailed in Branson’s fireside chat in November (watch it here), we have made a commitment to our bank to reduce our long-term debt to 4.2 million by February 2011. In order to do so; we will need to secure an additional 1.5 million dollars.
4. Covenant leaders will be huddling in early 2010 to discern God’s best for our next steps of faith. There are a variety of issues and options to think and pray through.

With that in mind, let us model our collective generosity as the Apostle Paul described in his letter to the Philippians: “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on…” (Phil 3:14).

Please join us in praying for wisdom, and expect another update soon about how we, Covenant, will “press on” to be financially faithful.

Pressing On as 2010 Begins!
Charlie