What is the goal of the Campaign?

     The goal is to give every member and friend of GSUMC an opportunity to participate in the Growing Through Giving campaign.  Prayerfully consider what God would have you give to GSUMC above and  beyond your current giving level to help grow the ministries God has given us to fulfill.  This is a wonderful opportunity to step out in faith and support our future ministry needs.  We’re confident that we are moving in the right direction in this faith journey God has called us to travel.

How long is the Capital Stewardship Campaign?

     We are launching a three-year program of giving to support the expansion of our ministries.  Your commitment can be met through a monthly, yearly or one-time gift above and beyond your annual commitment to our operational budget and through a rededication of your time and talents.

Can something other than cash be given to the Campaign?

     Stocks, property and/or any form of equity will be accepted as a contribution.

How will the church know where to spend the money collected as a result of this Campaign?

     The Visioning Committee led by Pedro Mandoki is helping us formulate how best we should move forward to meet both our ministry needs and church needs.  Providing input into the process are:

1)  The Architectural firm of Quina, Grundhoefer & Royal and the Liaison committee which is working to create a master plan for the use of our properties.

2)  The Liaison committee made up of three people representing our Visioning committee, our Trustees and our Finance committee who work with the management company responsible for the Winn-Dixie shopping center.

3)  AND YOU ! ! !

     With God’s leadership, we’ll formulate a plan that will support our ministry expansion while addressing some very urgent physical and space needs of the church and our ministries.  This is an exciting time to be a member of the GSUMC team!

How can each member provide input into this planning process?

     During the small group meetings of our congregation, each and every suggestion made will be recorded, consolidated and presented to the church leadership team.  This valuable input will have an impact on our priorities as they are developed.

Why are we spending money to hire someone to help us with this campaign?

     After much thought and consideration by the leadership team, the group, Stewardship Resources for United Methodists, was asked to help us with this program.  They are providing us expert help with a fairly complex task so it can be accomplished in an efficient manner and in a relatively short time frame.  The leadership team feels that the costs will be more than overcome by what the consultants add to the results of our campaign.

What are some of the major events of the Growing Through Giving Campaign?

March 3  -  Prayer Service - World Day of Prayer

March 26 -  Celebration Sunday - launching the Campaign

April 1  -  Prayer Vigil

April 2  -  Commitment Sunday - gathering our commitment cards

May 7    -  First Fruits Giving - receiving our first offering

What is the debt of GSUMC?

$1.4M   Before we bought the Winn-Dixie shopping center

$4.9M   Add Purchase price of the shopping center

$6.3M   Total Current Indebtedness

$2.75M  Less proceeds from two sold properties to be closed within 18 mos

$2.0M   Less a special gift provided to the church to be applied to debt

     When the church purchased the Winn-Dixie shopping center two months after Hurricane Ivan, we believed we were following God’s direction for our ministries.  We weren’t sure of the destination, but we believed we were following the right road . . . moving in the right direction.  We want to continue this journey with you.

Closing

     It is the hope and prayer of the church leadership team that we will be able to, in an imaginative and effective fashion, invite all our members and friends of GSUMC to discover the joy of giving and help us move forward in our faith journey to accomplish God’s work!  Prayerfully consider giving a gift beyond your normal time, talents and tithes and have faith that they will be multiplied! 

     This is indeed an exciting time in the life of our church!  Thank you for participating in this faith journey where we continue to follow God’s leadership and direction into the ministries he gives us to fulfill!  If we’re dedicated in following God, there are no limits to what we can do together!  Just imagine!