January 13, 2009

“....let yourselves be built into spiritual house…First Peter 2:5”

Thank you for being a part of Amazing Grace. Our church is unique because of all the people of various walks of life who have made this their church home. You are a part of that, and I am grateful for your past love and dedication to this church up to this date.
Amazing Grace is no longer a new mission church, but a long-standing presence in the neighborhood that has faithfully proclaimed the grace of Jesus Christ in word and deed for over twenty years. As a result, certain aspects of our facilities are starting to show their age. Our church leadership has determined it is time to undergo a capital campaign in order to maintain and enhance our facilities. I support wholeheartedly this as a necessary step to embrace our future.
Please take some time to look at the materials in this packet. Here you will learn of the purpose of this campaign and how it relates to you. In addition to taking care of some immediate maintenance needs, I want to highlight two other aspects of this campaign: Debt Reduction and the supporting of Luther Ranch camping ministries.

A significant portion of our budget goes to the mortgage. When we are able to reduce the principle on our mortgage through this campaign, it will free up funds each month for new ministries and programming. For example, adding staff has been discussed, possibly a part-time volunteer coordinator or youth director. People’s lives are touched through this church. Debt relief would increase our potential for improving and expanding our ministry programs. Reducing our debt means increasing our capacity to include others in God’s Amazing Grace.

Luther Ranch is a new outdoor ministry being developed in northeastern Georgia. Recognizing that Amazing Grace would not be here without the support of the greater church, we would like a small portion of this campaign to go beyond our campus to the greater church. Luther Ranch will be a camp and retreat center where people will grow in faith and experience the love of Christ in new ways. Not only our children, but children and adults from all over Atlanta will benefit from this exciting new ministry.
When I see us gathered for worship on Sunday morning, I thank God for this church. It is time to make some substantial improvements ensuring more lives will be included in the work of the Gospel. Once you’ve gone through the material, I ask you to deeply and prayerfully consider how you can support this campaign, as we go workin’ on our building.
In His Service,
Pastor Jason Talsness.