In the Spring of 2008, the ERCF family embarked on an incredible journey of faith and vision. Believing God for His provision, a faith-raising campaign was launched as we looked towards expanding the building facilities. ERCF members were challenged to seek God about their participation in the Equipped to Serve Campaign. Pledging to give over a 3 year time is one way that we are better equipped to serve.
A Time to Build is a Time to Rejoice!
Exodus 35:21,22a NKJV (Gifts for the Tabernacle) Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service…They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart…The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing…
Exodus 36:6,7 NIVThen Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: “No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
I Chronicles 29:9 NKJV (Gifts for King Solomon’s Temple)Then the people rejoiced, for they had offered willingly, because with a loyal heart they had offered willingly to the Lord; and King David also rejoiced greatly.
Imagine how the Israelites felt as they prepared for the construction of the Tabernacle. A great deal of excitement was built up during the campaign. The people were challenged by the leaders of the nation to give and “as many as had a willing heart” gave. In fact, the giving was so generous that Moses had to order the people to stop giving.
As King David prepared the nation of Israel for the construction of a permanent temple, the people again “offered willingly to the Lord.” Rejoicing followed.
Looking forward towards the remainder of our capital campaign and the actual construction of a new auditorium and perhaps even more is an exciting time.
The potential for rejoicing is huge. Over the next three years the realization of the vision that Pastor Jim and Carrie and the elders have for our church family will definitely bring us to rejoice in God.
Their vision includes a church that serves its members and its community with adequate children’s facilities, seating facilities and school facilities. Their vision is about people—people who want to grow in faith and people who are searching for faith. Their vision is about families—families desiring to worship together and families in need. Their vision is about people serving each other at church and in the community. People are the “Cause.”
Let’s adopt the vision of Pastor Jim and Carrie and the elders as our own. Let’s be unified with them and together carry out the plans that God has given them. With loyal hearts (as the Bible says) let’s follow our leaders and offer willingly as God stirs. The sacrifice may seem great, but God is greater and will never require more of us than he can and will supply. In the end, we will undoubtedly rejoice and see how good God is.
The theme of our building campaign is “Equipped to Serve” and is five-fold. The SCOUP, as we call it, sums up our five intentions.
“S” highlights our desire for Spiritual Growth.
“C” recognizes that our Capacity needs to be enlarged both spiritually and physically.
“O” is for Outreach.
“U” emphasizes the fact that Unity is powerful, and
“P” is for the Passion that God willingly ignites within us when we obey him.
-Pete & Dave Katerberg, Fall 2008
Updates on the building program are regularly communicated during ERCF Sunday services and in the Equipped to Serve Magazine.
