Capital Campaign FAQs
By Jeff Gordon
Xenos Elder
General
What projects will the capital campaign fund?
- Main Campus Café addition
- Urban Concern/Harambee Christian School and Community Center
- OSU campus—remodeling of facility and grounds.
Are we on or ahead of schedule in paying down the debt on the existing properties?
- We are on schedule and our current debt is $1.58 million against our Main Campus properties. We paid down more than $3 million in debt from 1997-2004, and have made all scheduled payments.
- We will have $2.2 million in debt for the new Cafe by March 2006, and after closing the OSU property sale at $1.75 million in late 2005, we will have $5.7 million in debt to service.
- We currently have approximately $1 million cash on hand that we saved for emergencies, unforeseen expenses and capital projects. We are waiting to decide how to best use this until after the capital campaign and negotiations are made with lenders for both the UC and OSU projects.
What will be the impact if we do not completely fund these projects?
All three projects are necessary, so we will proceed in other ways. On OSU campus, we will decrease the scope of the rehabilitation so that less space will be available now, but we can improve it later. We will also need to carry more debt, which could limit ministry expansion. We will need to raise more funds outside Xenos for the UC facility, which will delay construction.
Is there a point for some people at which no more monthly pledges can be made, even for something they believe in whole-heartedly?
We are instructed to give “…according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have.” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Therefore there is a limit to our giving. The GIFT ministry team (888-2222) is available to consult about financial issues.
Can we leverage anything from the current UC and Campus building to help pay for costs at the new buildings?
We plan to sell all UC facilities except the 914 East 13th property and consolidate facilities. Proceeds from those sales will help fund the project. The campus ministry will have sound equipment and furniture they can bring to the new facility.
When can I contribute to the fund?
We want to allow the church to hear the plans from the elders and consider their personal giving before God through mid-October. We are asking Fiscal Support Team members to consider their pledge by October 29. We will ask the remainder of the church to pledge by November 13.
In order to maintain my current giving level, I will be stretched to give to the capital campaign. Should I reduce my giving to the general fund so I can give to the capital campaign?
Stability of the general fund is crucial to the stability of our ministry. Please do not reduce your general fund giving in order to give to the capital campaign.
At the current growth rate, will this hold us for the next five years?
Yes.
Café
Why do we need to give for building the second auditorium? Xenos must already have had the money for construction, since the building is near completion.
Xenos is borrowing the money for the Café. We see these three projects as a package and planned from the beginning to fund them as a package. We started the Café because we had plans, the property and funds/financing. We also wanted to be prepared for growth in adult CTs by spring 2006. We waited to seek funds from the church for the three projects until we had more certain plans for the Urban Concern and OSU projects. We have those now. We need to help fund the Café because it is part of the package needed to provide for growth in Xenos adult ministries.
Could Xenos set an example by making due with the facility now at Main Campus, and give still more to world evangelism?
As a church, we've grown in giving to missions, relief and development. Local growth is essential for further growth in missions. We are a growing force for Christ in the world of missions, in part because we invested locally in capital projects that promoted local growth. If we do not grow locally, then we will not have the impact God intends in world missions.
Will the new extension at Main Campus include classrooms for Oasis?
The second floor will provide Oasis children's classrooms and in conjunction with our current classrooms, Oasis will have adequate space.
Are furnishings and finishes included in the budget?
Yes.
How else will we use this facility?
All CTs will be able to use this facility as a place for hanging out after meetings. This will be particularly useful in cold weather and for:
- Weddings, receptions, parties, etc.
- Larger classes and the Summer Institute.
Urban Concern
How will Urban Concern raise the $1.9 million for this project outside Xenos' $1 million contribution?
A committee led by Alex Steinman and Dave Durell is identifying and talking with donors in the community. We have retained the services of Hodge Cramer and Associates, a professional fund-raising firm, to assist in these efforts.
What if we are unable to reach the funding goals?
We plan to sell existing properties (except 914 East 13th) to help fund the project and obtain financing. The amount of financing UC can qualify for will depend on the amount of funds raised. We will keep 914 East 13th because of the extensive investment in the building and adjacent playground (through a UPS grant and Xenos funding). This facility could provide space for a future preschool. UC will continue to work in existing spaces until we can fund the facility.
Where will this facility be built?
Plans are to build on Bonham Avenue, just south of Cleveland Avenue and 11th. We are currently negotiating to purchase the site from the City of Columbus.
What programs will use this facility?
Harambee Christian School, Cap City Kids after-school program, Word in the Hood, South Linden Bible study, Parent Partnerships and UC offices.
What grades will this facility accommodate?
Kindergarten through fifth grade.
OSU Campus
Will we rent or purchase?
We plan to purchase the property bordered by North Fourth Street, East 18th, East 19th and the business to the east. The property is in contract for a price of $1.75 million.
Why did we spend all the money on the old campus building if we are obtaining a new property?
The improvements we made on campus enabled that facility to work for ministry during the past two years. The 16th Avenue facility is not for sale to Xenos, and because it may be sold to another party, we want to obtain our own permanent venue.
How many years will this new building last until we need a new one?
This facility could accommodate growth up to 1,000 per meeting, and we will use it on multiple nights. How long it will work in part depends on how rapidly we grow.
Will the new location farther north from campus hinder growth?
Most students in the college CT drive to the meeting, and parking has become an increasing problem. The new location should help growth.