Matthew 28:19 is one of the most recognizable verses in the Gospels. You probably can recite the passage from memory. It is what we refer to as the “Great Commission.” It’s the call God has placed on every one of our lives to build the Kingdom. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. ”To be clear, there is only one name that represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—the name of Jesus! But that’s another article for another day.
The Great Commission calls us to build everywhere. Some of us travel abroad to build in distant lands. Some of us move away from home and build in a new state. Some of us build daily in our place of work, in our local community, or even in a nearby prison. The common thread is that the Great Commission calls on every one of us to build His kingdoms.
A growing Kingdom translates into larger facilities to keep pace with the new saints streaming in to fulfill the Acts 2:38 call to salvation. For our local congregation to properly serve this growing constituency, new construction is sometimes necessary. Whether it’s a new sanctuary, expanded classroom space, or a new fellowship hall, any one of these projects may become necessary for a growing church. While faith builds the Kingdom, bricks and mortar require careful planning, resources, and sound financial stewardship. Dollars and cents are necessary to build our local house of worship.
Jesus taught about faith, but He also taught about practicality and responsibility. In Luke 14:28 (NKJV), He posed the question: “Which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him. ”Jesus never intended for us to be foolish and start new construction by faith without the ability to complete the project. He still expects us to be good stewards and act in a manner that reflects His wisdom. There is an adage that says, “Failure to plan is a plan to fail.” When the need for new construction does arise, we must enter these projects wisely, with plans and drawings and—just as important—funding.
When Pastor Thomas Scott saw the need for Grace Church to expand, he developed a plan. Architects made drawings, contractors were hired, and, for the funding of the project, Pastor Scott contacted the Church Loan Fund. With good record-keeping and a track record of saving and responsible spending, Pastor Scott and the Loan Fund worked together to finance the project. The cost was counted and a budget created, and with the Loan Fund at their side, Grace Church was able to complete their new building and grow the Kingdom in North Carolina.
The project at Grace Church has been completed for only a couple years, but Pastor Scott has already seen the hand of God at work. Church attendance has grown by 40 percent. The church has been able to reach more people, put more believers to work in the Kingdom, and develop new ministries. Through their commitment to biblical principles and their partnership with the Loan Fund, Grace Church has built a place where the Lord can, “Add to the church daily such as should be saved.”
(Acts 2:47)
Pastor Robert Eades and Savoy UPC in North Texas have a similar story. Pastor Eades came to the Church Loan Fund because he needed room to accommodate the growth his church was seeing. The Savoy UPC project has been completed for only a few months, but with Jesus as their cornerstone and the Church Loan Fund helping them count the cost, they have already seen tremendous growth. In less than a year since the completion of the building, Savoy UPC has already grown by 25 percent. With this new space, they are in a great position to continue this growth in the future.
With partners that practice responsible spending and good financial record-keeping, the Church Loan Fund has been able to help churches across the country build new facilities. The Church Loan Fund would love to partner with your church to build the Kingdom in your region. If you are ready to start your project but need funding, reach out and let the Church Loan Fund help you build His kingdom.
God entrusts His people with resources that must be handled with wisdom, faithfulness, and accountability. Commit to biblical stewardship through intentional study and obedience by engaging Apostolic materials that address giving, planning, and responsibility in the work of the Kingdom.