From our Pastor
Dear First Baptist Family,
We are so excited to launch our Growing Together Capital Campaign! First Baptist Covington is in the midst of celebrating God’s faithfulness over our 200 year history, while also prayerfully looking forward to God’s provision for our future. Our Growing Together vision is about uniting our services by building a large enough worship space for us to all be together while God enlarges our flock as we reach more people in our community for Christ. We want to steward our finances and facilities well, and this initiative solves many of the challenges we are currently facing. For the last two to three years, we have talked frequently about this vision, and how it is built upon the foundation of us being a church that is Rooted, Reaching, and Replicating.
We have prayed fervently that this Capital Campaign would be a uniting time for our church (Ephesians 4:3-6), a time where excitement and momentum build as we watch God work for His glory and our good. Below you will find: the challenges, the opportunities, our campaign goal, the architectural renderings, and some frequently asked questions.
As you consider this vision, I ask you to reflect, to pray, and to share with others how God is working in your heart and in your family to be committed. We will need everyone pulling together in this, and as we have prayed from the beginning, my prayer for us now is that God will continue to unite our hearts to fear his name (Psalm 86:11). I have never been more excited to be your pastor! To God be the glory!
Love in Christ,
Cody H. McNutt
Senior Pastor
The Challenge
We are blessed with wonderful facilities, but we also recognize they present some clear challenges to current and future ministry growth.
Our current space does not allow the entire church to gather and worship the Lord in one place.
Our multi-service format is challenging for intergenerational church growth and health.
Hundreds of people fill our church each week, but our current hospitality and lobby space limits our ability to cultivate fellowship among our church family and become a welcoming space for new people.
This lack of space is very evident on Sunday mornings, with no natural places to easily linger and fellowship.
New people are often confused by our campus layout and have difficulty navigating.
Our current layout makes it difficult for families with children to safely drop their children off for church activities.
In light of these challenges before us, we must prayerfully and purposely root ourselves in Covington, reach our community with the gospel, and replicate our lives for God’s glory through a significant investment in our church.
Our Community
Newton county is experiencing growth and development at a fast pace.
By 2026, the greatest population segment will be ages 25–34.
73% of people within 10 miles of our church have no involvement in a religious congregation.
Whether existing or new residents, our community desperately needs a faithful, gospel-driven church!
Our Opportunity
Unity & Growth
We have an amazing opportunity both to unite and grow with a new and larger worship space that allows us to strengthen our unity by worshiping in one blended service as well as make room for continued church growth.
Fellowship & Flow
We have the opportunity to create an inviting space that allows for greater fellowship, better handicap accessibility, and improved church campus flow for members and visitors.
Safe & Secure Children’s Check-In
We want to create a safer and more secure entrance for our children, with better access for drop-off as well as a new playground.
More Effective Local & Global Missions
We want to make more room to reach a growing community with the gospel. This campaign is strategic to our plan to make disciples of all nations in Covington and around the world. As the Lord allows us to construct new facilities, we will grow together into a missional engine that passionately drives efforts of intentional discipleship, church planting, and global missions.
Project Features
Architectural Renderings by HH Architects
Worship Center
The architectural plans include a beautiful new worship center that provides seating for up to 1,000 people, as well as space for our choir, musicians, and vocalists.
Lobby for Fellowship & Circulation
A new lobby space will connect our worship center, education, and children’s buildings to create better circulation and more space for fellowship.
Multi-Use Spaces
Multi-use spaces are in mind with the lobby area, allowing for small group meetings and fellowship.
Secure Children’s Check-in
A new welcoming and secure children’s check-in area is designed to make it easy for parents to drop their children off for church activities.
New Playground
The playground will be moved to between the Fellowship Hall and Children’s buildings, giving closer and safer access for families.
Our Goal
By God’s grace, our giving goal for Growing Together is $5,000,000.
|
NUMBER OF GIFTS |
MONTHLY |
YEARLY |
3 YEAR GIFT TOTAL |
|
1 |
$13,889 |
$166,667 |
$500,000 |
|
1 |
$11,111 |
$133,333 |
$400,000 |
|
1 |
$9,722 |
$116,667 |
$350,000 |
|
1 |
$6,944 |
$83,333 |
$250,000 |
|
2 |
$2,778 |
$33,333 |
$100,000 |
|
12 |
$2,083 |
$25,000 |
$75,000 |
|
20 |
$1,389 |
$16,667 |
$50,000 |
|
24 |
$694 |
$8,333 |
$25,000 |
|
36 |
$278 |
$3,333 |
$10,000 |
|
40 |
$208 |
$2,500 |
$7,500 |
|
50 |
$139 |
$1,667 |
$5,000 |
|
50 |
$69 |
$833 |
$2,500 |
|
Many |
$35 |
$417 |
$1,250 |
Get Involved
Pray
Join us in prayer as you consider your own part in giving to Growing Together. Ask God to use First Baptist Covington to advance His kingdom and to give us a spirit of generosity.
Make a Pledge
Commit funds to support the building project. Through one-time and monthly gifts, you will make it possible for us to continue growing together for years to come.
FAQs
What is the purpose of Growing Together?
Growing Together is a major investment in our church’s future by building a large enough worship space that helps us face current challenges by: expanding to gather and worship in unity, creating space to cultivate fellowship and improve flow, making room to reach a growing community.
Why are we doing this now?
The church has been talking about this kind of project for over 20 years, and we believe now is the time for us to invest in our future. This vision aligns perfectly with also celebrating what God has done at FBC in this, our 200th year anniversary.
What is the financial goal of the Growing Together Capital Campaign?
Our goal is for 100% of the church to participate toward our goal of giving $5,000,000 over the next three years toward Growing Together.
What is our current level of debt?
Our church is debt free! We have prayerfully and carefully stewarded and saved approximately $2,000,000 in recent years that can also be used for this project.
How much debt will we have to take on?
While we do not yet know final costs, we would estimate a debt range of $3-4 million. However, whatever money we raise above $5 million offsets any future debt.
When will this initiative begin and end?
Growing Together begins in March 2023 and goes through March 2026.
When will we be asked to make our commitment?
Our commitment Sunday is March 26, 2023.
Is my commitment to Growing Together above my regular giving?
Yes. Our hope is that we will keep our budget at or near its current level and continue all our normal operations and ministry and mission’s efforts. This will require us all to continue our regular giving to our budget.
Will I be able to revise my commitment if I need to over the giving season?
Yes! You may either increase or decrease your faith commitment pledge at any time, as the Lord leads, or as circumstances make it convenient or necessary to do so.
What is a Growing Together Commitment Card and how do I fill it out?
Your Growing Together Commitment Card is your personal or family financial commitment, above your regular giving, over the next three years: March 2023–March 2026.
Example: By faith I/we commit to give a total of $45,000 to the Growing Together campaign over and above regular giving over the next three years.
Why do I need to complete a commitment card if my giving is only between me and God? Will my giving be kept private?
We desire to steward God’s gifts to us well, but we cannot move forward with any vision unless we have a good understanding of how the Lord has led our church to give in total. We will share our total commitment level with the church so that we can praise the Lord together! Individual commitments will not be made public or shared beyond our church financial team.
Can my gift involve stocks or other assets in addition to cash?
Absolutely. If this is the case, please email Executive Pastor Aaron Boeving at aaron@covingtonfbc.org or call (770) 786-9031 for further assistance.
Will we have parking challenges with this new construction?
Yes, but we are addressing those challenges head-on, especially as it relates to parking for those who are elderly and/or handicapped. We have completed several parking analysis exercises and feel we have enough parking on campus and in ancillary lots.
Contact Pastor Aaron Boeving (aaron@covingtonfbc.org) if you need more information.