Dear FBC Family,
As you have likely already heard, the Spiritual Leadership Team asked the church to consider embarking on a debt retirement campaign. After discussion at the January 2025 annual business meeting, the debt retirement campaign, Ministry Not Mortgage, was unanimously supported. This effort aims to free up funds currently tied to $50,000+ in annual principal and interest payments so we can focus on our ministry and community needs.
We need to raise $270,000 by the end of 2027 to accomplish this. We hope to collect $170,000 in 2025 to mark FBC’s 170th birthday, turning every contribution into a celebration of our shared history and future. Fortunately, we have a great head start with more than $80,000 already earmarked for this campaign.
A steering committee has been identified and is listed below. Feel free to contact any of us listed below with any questions. (Email the FBC office to get in touch.) We will continue communicating with you through our worship services and FBC’s weekly newsletter.
There is a FAQ section below with answers to your potential questions.
In addition, the Steering Committee is beginning to formulate more fundraising plans. Ministry Not Mortgage is a chance for us to come together and make a real impact. Due to the overwhelmingly positive response we have received from members and friends thus far, we have also included a pledge form below so that you can begin to prayerfully consider how you can support the continued mission of our church with a contribution to the campaign. Once you have had a chance to review this information and ask any lingering questions, you can complete the pledge form.
We’ll keep you updated on our progress. With your support and prayers, we can achieve this goal.
Thank you,
Steering Committee for Ministry not Mortgage Campaign:
Hannes Combest
Martha Gage
Joanna Gillette
Stacey Lamb
John Pauls
Ramon Schmidt
Matt Sturtevant
Ministry not Mortgage FAQs
Debt Retirement Campaign
1) How much remaining do we owe on our debt?
At the current retirement rate, we still have around $300,000 left on our mortgage. In 2024, we spent over $50,000 on the mortgage, and more than half went toward interest, not principal. Following a recent scheduled increase in the interest rate, our current rate is 9%, and we have a balloon payment looming in 2028. At that point, we either must pay the remaining principal or refinance the loan.
Our goal is to raise at least $270,000 by the end of 2027, with a short-term goal to earn $170,000 of the total in 2025 (FBC’s 170th year). Over $80,000 has already been committed to this campaign. We’ll continue to make regular payments, and paying off the loan sooner means paying less due to interest. The sooner we can pay the principal, the less we will have to pay.
2) How did we end up incurring this type of debt?
We had a water/drainage problem within the church building for years. However, in 2012, we were informed that mold had been discovered due to this drainage issue and had to take immediate steps to remediate. Between the remediation we had to complete because of the mold and the renovation we had to make to the building so that it would not reoccur, the costs escalated to approximately one million dollars. We voted as a church to conduct a capital campaign and embark on a one-million-dollar project to remove the mold, remediate damage, and renovate our space. The Building Hospitality campaign kicked off on Sunday, November 18, 2012, to raise these funds.
We raised half of the funds needed to cover these costs. This loan was then absorbed into the church’s operating budget.
3) How did we raise the $80,000 of pre-commitments to this campaign?
We had a few generous people who made donations with the initial intent to begin a Foundation. When we determined that beginning a Foundation would not advance our ministry, they agreed that redirecting the funds toward debt retirement would be more beneficial.
4) Can I redirect my pledge from my current pledge to the 2025 church budget?
You absolutely can do that. However, we encourage you not to redirect your current pledge. This year, we had to reduce our budget significantly due to reduced giving for the last two years. We have already taken some pretty restrictive actions, such as not giving staff raises and, in fact, reducing the overall compensation for our Senior Pastor (we reduced the amount of insurance costs for which we provide reimbursement to him). We do not want to take even more restrictive measures.
5) What can I do? I already pledge what I can give.
We seek your prayers and ask you to look once more at your budget and see if you can make small sacrifices this year. If you can give more, we would appreciate your pledge to this campaign.
6) I’m ready to give. How do I designate a gift for debt retirement?
- If you write a check, you can add “Debt Retirement” to the memo line
- If you give cash, please put it in an envelope and write “Debt Retirement” on the envelope.
- If you give online, choose “Give to MORTGAGE RETIREMENT” in the Fund dropdown menu.
7) How can I learn more about how I can give?
Any Steering Committee member for Ministry Not Mortgage (listed above) would gladly visit with you.