Investing, Building, Reaching
Changing the World One Life at a Time
By Jeff Gordon
Elder and Sunday Morning Sphere Leader
God is changing the world through Xenos, one life at a time. He is working through people in Columbus and around the globe to shake up the world with the love of Christ.
Xenos grew up from a home Bible study on the OSU campus. By God's grace and leading we are a dynamic fellowship with home groups in central Ohio and workers in several countries. Through Urban Concern, our inner-city ministry, we have developed an effective organization that is successfully breaking the cycle of poverty for many people in South Linden.
God already has done great things in Xenos and he is calling us to much more. This is not the time to relax! We face an exciting future with big challenges—to keep growing we need to make major capital investments in three projects. Without this investment, progress and growth is almost certain to stall. Each of us has the opportunity to invest in this righteous venture and be part of the sustained advancement of God's work.
investing in people's lives
We are investing in lives, not buildings. Jesus commands us to invest wisely and, “Lay up treasure in heaven.” We can invest in people, who are eternal beings, and therefore lay up heavenly treasure. We are embracing three projects that focus on changing lives and embody God's priorities for this church in three key areas:
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Adult Ministries. God is growing our Central Teachings (CTs). Adults continue to begin relationships with Christ and the church is growing. To preserve the community atmosphere cultivated by our CT spheres, we are building a wing (the Café) for a CT to run simultaneously with current meetings.
This will enable more people to hear about Jesus Christ in a more intimate atmosphere. The new facility will provide a great place for fellowship after all CTs, particularly in foul weather months.
The Café will be completed this winter and will accommodate up to 450 adults. A new sphere will plant there soon after completion. Special features include: a larger kitchen; large, safe play areas; and space for an expanded Oasis program.
Cost: $2.2 million.
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College ministry. Since 1994, God has grown our ministry from one home church to almost 600 students in 22 groups. What a great future for this church here in Columbus and around the world.
This critical ministry must have adequate, dependable space to continue to succeed. Our current campus facility's lease expires in June 2007 and the owner does not wish to sell or provide a long-term lease. Therefore we sought and found an excellent alternative. We are in contract to purchase property and existing buildings at North Fourth and East 18th Avenue for $1.75 million. Extensive renovation will be necessary and will cost about $2 million. This will provide a place for the college ministry to continue great work and a place where an adult sphere could plant some day.
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Urban Concern. Our impact for God in the urban community of South Linden has been successful and we've outgrown our facilities. Harambee Christian School has a proven record of success and these students are the future leaders of South Linden. Presently, students and teachers make-do in cramped classrooms and facilities scattered over several blocks.
In addition, the neighborhood church (Word in the Hood) has filled their room to capacity and they need a larger meeting space to accommodate growth.
We need to build a multi-use facility to house a school (grades K-5), Bible Study classes, and a multipurpose room which would accommodate Word in the Hood and a variety of other uses.
Cost: $2.9 million (Xenos will contribute $1.0 million and Urban Concern will raise and/or finance the remainder).
participating in our venture
We are eager to invest and build so we can be part of God's loving hand that is reaching into this broken world. God is working through Xenos in many ways, and we each must decide whether we want to be part of extending his reach.
These are big projects and the price-tag presents a challenge. Our goal is to raise $5 million in pledges. God is giving each of us the opportunity to be part of what he's doing. He's doing a great work; do you want to be part of it?
Our goal is 100 percent participation! We believe God is calling the church to these great works. Here's what you can do:
- Read the related News articles and ask questions.
- Pick up a copy of the prayer/study journal, Investing, Building Reaching: Discovering My Roll, and follow along throughout the campaign with the weekly readings.
- Pray for vision and ask God how you can vigorously and sacrificially support his great work.
- Expect God to provide you with revelation.