What is 25:35?
What We Know
When you look at the city of Battle Creek, what do you see? Do you see a thriving utopia of a city? Do you see a city that can no longer stand on the back of the automotive industry and is hanging on by its finger nails? What we see, when we look at Battle Creek, is a city of the hungry, the beaten, and the forgotten. A city where many are pulling themselves along an unforgiving road.
What Battle Creek really is, is a city that needs hope. And a people that can look at their brothers and sisters and say I have some, let me share it with you. Project 25:35 is not just about giving food, clothing, counselling, etc. It's about giving something that will outlive you and me and all of us. It's about giving hope to a community that has lost it.
What is 25:35?
Where Does Project 25:35 Come In?
Project 25:35 is an idea, a vision, to strive to make Friends Church a part of that hope giving beacon. To do this we plan on building an outreach center filled with ministry. Ministries like clothing and feeding those in need, counselling, assisting those who have been human trafficked and domestically abused, and giving backpacks full of supplies to school children.
THIS is where you come in. Friends Church in Battle Creek, Mi is picking up the torch! We are building a community outreach center right on the edge of Michigan Avenue to bring hope to this city. BUT... We need your help! It is no secret that this is going to be a big project, that we are estimating will take roughly $400,000 to complete over the next 3 years. Some have already come forward and offered to help build and create this outreach center, but we are going to need all the help we can get.
Help Us In Fulfilling Matthew 25:35
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."
FAQ
What Kind of Outreach?
The proposed ministry center building would be pointed in scope of use. The building would include four proposed ministries. First to be included, a sufficient space for Love Thy Neighbor (LTN) to operate. Secondly, a space for the Beloved Ministry (working with Human Trafficking); Third, an office for counseling, and fourth, an office for community outreach (service to the elderly in our community)
Can We Add More Space For Ministries?
At this time, a funding campaign seems doable around $400,000 for Friends Church, therefore a very precise and intentional smaller building should be built. It would be built in such a way that we could add on later.
What Funding Is Needed?
Approximate Total Needed ~$400,000
1. Friends Church currently has $100,000 in the bank that could be utilized for a ministry project.
2. LTN specifically would commit to fund raising $100,000 in next 2-3 years.
3. $200,000 would be raised through a campaign with the Battle Creek Friends Church congregants over the next three years.
In support of LTN and the church, we would need to continue supporting all the funding activities, (i.e… the 5K race, Family Fare UPC gathering and more!)
Why Are We Doing This?
Answer:
A. An outward focus of Friends Church would impact the local community in a Christ honoring, biblically supported way.
B. This would give Friends Church a specific opportunity to focus
outwardly. We haven’t done this in a communal way on a large scale
in a while.
C. This is an opportunity given to us by God. Luke 10:27 says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” As a church we have a chance to love our neighbors through serving them.
E. As a regular attender of Friends Church and follower of Christ, Fred Lutzke began a good work in our community. We have the opportunity to keep this good work alive.
Are We Going Into Debt?
Many congregants over the last few years have expressed a desire that Friends Church remain debt free. To try to make everyone happy is virtually impossible. The vision of a “small”, pointed, and focused, building gives the church the opportunity to be outward focused at this moment in time, while doing so without taking $500,000 to $1 million (or more) in debt. God CAN give us more than we could imagine. Maybe we do need to imagine more.
What Would It Take To Meet Our Goal?
We would need 250 givers to pledge $820 over a 3 year period. This equals out to or $23 per month or $274 per year, for three years.