Just 59 Days Left…
Dear Calvary Chapel,
Yesterday, after taking time with the staff and leadership to pray and worship, we signed the purchase agreement for 1650 Corporate Circle. This step moves us forward in acquiring a building that can be a church home for the future. More specifically, our sixty-day due-diligence process has officially begun, and as I write this, we have 59 days left; it will go very fast, and there is much to do.
What We’re Working On…
1. Our priority is to keep the main thing the main thing… the ministry! We want to keep growing in our love for God and our love for people while we serve and reach the world.
2. Meeting with Contractors and Architects to identify the best partners for this project who will help us narrow down what we can realistically accomplish in the time and with the budget we have.
3. Preliminary conversations with the city of Petaluma to work with them on the best strategy for our building and occupancy permits in the time and with the budget we have.
4. Lining up inspections and looking over existing information from the seller to learn as much about the property as possible to ensure there are no significant issues or deal-breakers.
5. Multiple versions of plans and contingencies for how we can make the space work “as-is” and then phase in our build-out as time and budget permit.
6. Finalizing all the information with our bank to ensure everything is lined up so that if we do move forward after the due diligence period, we are all set to close escrow after thirty days.
What You Can Do…
Pray! I know that sounds like a typical thing to say, but we really mean it! We need your prayers to lift up every aspect of this venture of faith. There’s no way this will happen without the Lord’s help. These next sixty days are crucial; we’re calling everyone to pray daily. Here are some things to pray about specifically, beyond what the Lord puts on your heart:
1. Pray that God would help us all keep the main thing the main thing
2. Pray Ephesians 4:3 that we would all eagerly maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
3. Pray for a “harvest” of people coming to know and follow Jesus to fill up the space in this new building.
4. Pray for good counselors through this process, people we can work with who will help us navigate each step with the wisdom we need.
5. Pray for God to bring spirit-filled, skillful people to do the work (like when the Tabernacle was built).
6. Pray about what you can give:
– The most helpful giving is regular and consistent. We believe that giving 10% of our income called the tithe, is the principle and precedent for worshipping God with our resources. This would be the place to start if you have benefited from what God is doing through Calvary Petaluma but do not give regularly. Pray about what God would have you contribute cheerfully and generously to the work. If you’d like to begin giving regularly, please click the button below and select the fund called “General Giving”
– On top of our regular giving, there are times when we give over and above. These are opportunities for sacrificial giving, sometimes called offerings. If God has blessed you somehow, and you want to give towards this opportunity to invest in the future of Calvary Petaluma, pray about giving a special offering. As we’ve prayed through this, feeling the weight of the decision and responsibility, I sensed the Lord saying, “Now is not the time to cling to comfort or seek easy days for yourself. Now is the time to make great sacrifices for the future of our church.” If you would like to make a special offering, please click the button below and select the fund called “Enter In Building Fund”
– Giving is not just financial – God gives tremendously valuable spiritual gifts to build up the church. Do you have a scripture, a word of knowledge, a word of wisdom? We would love to invite you to share those with our staff and leadership so that we can pray about all that the Lord is saying through the many diverse and gifted members of His beautiful body. Please click the button below if you have a scripture or word to share.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! As you can imagine, there is always so much more to say, so let’s trust that God knows the beginning from the end. Please pray and let’s see what the Lord will do!
Trusting in Jesus,
Pastor Zach
On behalf of the staff and leadership team at Calvary Petaluma.