2024 GOAL: $179,800
The Purpose of this Offering
PURPOSE OF THIS OFFERING
EBC is passionate about the reality that we can accomplish more together! God has designed us to be most effective when we join forces to carry out our mission. Each year, we take the time to encourage our church family to prayerfully consider and generously give to the ministry initiatives that we believe God is using to make a difference in our city and around the world through the Gospel. Every dollar contributed to this offering is dedicated to healing brokenness, bringing light to the shadows, and strengthening families as we pursue our goal of seeing homes transformed by the message of Jesus Christ. God has been incredibly faithful and generous to His people and His church this past year, and we are confident that He will continue to provide abundantly in the future. This special offering is directed towards four key initiatives:
Compassion Ministry: $15,000.
EBC is widely recognized in the community as a nurturing and caring environment. Each year, the Pastoral Care Office focuses on meeting the physical needs of the most vulnerable individuals. Every connection and act of support is grounded in the gospel message. Those we serve not only learn about Christ’s love and concern for them but also see it reflected in our efforts to address needs within our church family and the larger community.
Strategic Partnerships. $38,500.
EBC is dedicated to supporting gospel-centered ministries that are already making a difference in various communities by providing vital resources for their missions. Our partners are actively involved in protecting the unborn, supporting orphans, and facilitating foster and adoptive care, while also translating and disseminating the Scriptures in hard-to-reach areas. In addition, King’s Academy is flourishing, bringing the Gospel into the educational sphere with a strong Christian foundation. As more families seek enrollment, we are determined to make sure that financial barriers do not keep any child from accessing quality education. In addition, Lifewise Nash County is making inroads into our public schools providing Biblical teaching during the school day to public school students.
Church Planting and Revitalization: $64,000.
Establishing new and revitalized congregations is a dynamic way to influence communities with the Gospel message. At Englewood, we are committed to planting new churches, creating new ministry hubs, and rejuvenating churches that are facing challenges. We firmly believe that God is raising up a new wave of leaders from the Englewood community to help bring this vision to fruition.
Global Missions: $62,300.
As our international work continues to flourish, our families in the field have sought particular assistance to better accomplish the mission we’ve assigned to them. While we provide substantial support through our annual budget, these requests are aimed at specialized projects or further targeted aid for our field personnel.
Beyond
The generosity of our church family reflects the clear blessings of God as we consistently exceed our goals. Last year, your contributions reached an impressive $194,338.31, surpassing our target of $145,000. The additional funds were directed to the City of Refuge Mission Field, where they are helping to establish a community park and a Miracle League baseball field. This year, any funds raised beyond our goal will again support the City of Refuge Mission Field project. Since breaking ground in 2022, this initiative is taking shape, thanks to the incredible generosity of God’s people and the goodness of our Lord.
FAQ
Why a Special Offering?
God, in His infinite wisdom, encourages us to embrace sacrificial giving as a means to enhance the faith of His church. This Special Offering is a wonderful opportunity for us to grow spiritually and get ready for the exciting things God intends to accomplish through our church in 2025. It’s essential to understand that this offering is not a substitute for our budget; its purpose is to equip us to further our mission and make a more profound difference in our community, state, and across the globe in 2025
What’s the Difference Between the Regular Offering and this Special Offering?
At EBC, we practice a consistent approach to giving through tithes and offerings, which we contribute systematically throughout the year. While many choose to give weekly, others prefer to donate when they receive their salaries. Occasionally, we encounter unique opportunities to give sacrificially, and the Special Offering is one such moment that challenges us to deepen our faith. This offering is intended to be in addition to your regular contributions.
How Much Should I Give?
As we aim for a goal of $179,800, this Special Offering calls for the involvement of everyone. We invite you to consider a sacrificial gift that will stretch your faith and glorify God. The amount you choose to give is a matter solely between you and God. Some members may be able to contribute $5,000, $10,000, or even $25,000, while others might find it feasible to give between $100 and $500. It’s important to remember that the emphasis is not on equal giving, but on equal sacrifice. What can you give that will genuinely stretch your faith?
How Should I Determine What I Give?
Open your heart in prayer: “Father, all that I have is a gift from You. What can I offer to honor Your Son as we rejoice in His birth?” Listen for His direction and act on it. This Christmas, as you share your gifts with loved ones, ensure that you also present your greatest and most meaningful offering to Him, just like the wise men.
How Was The Goal Determined?
We have outlined four essential focus areas that will enable us to enhance our church’s generosity and advance our mission: strengthening families, transforming homes, supporting the most vulnerable in Christ’s Name, and extending our gospel reach both in our region and beyond.
EBC has been committed to dreaming big for God. Such ambitious dreams require immense faith and additional resources. The fulfillment of these dreams will depend on your support through this Special Offering.
When Should I Give?
The ideal moment to contribute will be our next Sunday together. We encourage you to reflect and consider your most generous gift as soon as you can. Contributions will be accepted until December 31, 2024. To ensure your donation goes towards the special “Happy Birthday Jesus” offering, please include a note in your regular offering envelope or make a note online. You can also find “Happy Birthday Jesus” envelopes at the offering boxes for your convenience. Keep in mind that regular contributions accumulate over time—if someone donates $100 each week for six weeks, that totals $600 for this Special Offering.
How Can I Give?
You have five options for giving: First, you can place your envelope labeled “Happy Birthday Jesus” in the offering boxes on Sundays. Another option is to send it via mail to our church. You’re also welcome to bring it directly to the church office. Additionally, you can make an electronic donation through our EBCRockyMt app, available for free in all app stores stores, or visit our website at www.englewoodbaptist.com/give.
Can I Give In-Kind Gifts of Stocks or Bonds?
Definitely! Since Englewood Baptist Church is recognized as a 501c3 organization, you can enjoy substantial tax benefits by making in-kind contributions. For more information on this giving option, please connect with Dianna Thorne at dianna@englewoodbaptist.com.
Are My Gifts Tax-Deductible?
Any donations to Englewood Baptist Church, including those made through the regular offering or this Special Offering, can be deducted from your taxes for the year they are given. To ensure you receive charitable giving credit for 2024, please make sure your gifts are received by December 31. Don’t forget to include your name and address with your donation so we can issue a receipt for your tax purposes. While you have the option to forgo the tax deduction, it is available for all contributions.
Is This Special Offering Used To Supplement Our Church Budget?
At EBC, we trust that God provides the necessary resources for His mission through the regular and generous giving of His community. Therefore, we do not engage in fundraising campaigns, benefit concerts, or street solicitations for donations. Your consistent tithes and offerings are what enable us to carry out all the missions, ministries, and operations within our church budget. This special Happy Birthday Jesus offering will support mission and ministry initiatives that are not included in our budget. Each of these initiatives needs funding at the start of the year, rather than throughout the year.
How Will I Know if We Reach Our Goal?
We encourage you to pray for God's wisdom as we all engage in sacrificial giving. Expect regular updates on our progress during the offering period. Achieving this goal will be a point of celebration, showcasing what we can accomplish together as we trust in God's leadership.
What Happens if We Surpass Our Goal?
Contributions exceeding our $179,800 goal will be earmarked for the City of Refuge Mission Field Project. We’ll celebrate our journey together during the campaign, and the results will be communicated to the church on the first weekend after the special offering ends!
Letter from EBC Pastors
Dear Family:
Your Pastors of Englewood Baptist Church, cherish our church and are continually amazed by the love and generosity that our church family exhibits year after year. We’ve chosen to address this letter to “Family” because that’s what we truly are — a family! It’s a poignant reminder that Jesus came to adopt us into the family of God. Yet, in the midst of shopping, wrapping, parties, and celebrations, it’s easy to forget this precious gift. The birth of Christ is a reminder that God offered His greatest gift for others. This is the essence of our special offering.
It brings us great joy to provide you with this detailed packet concerning our annual Happy Birthday Jesus Christmas offering. This is a chance for all of us to mirror the actions of the wise men from centuries ago in Bethlehem, as we offer our finest gifts to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in reverent worship. This special Christmas offering will be collected from now through the end of the year.
The Lord has showered our church family with blessings over the years. We have been gifted with life, health, and an influence that reaches far beyond our city. It has been a remarkable journey to see lives changed and to help men, women, boys, and girls discover the salvation that Christ offers.
This is your opportunity to give generously, going beyond your typical offerings. By participating, you will be sharing God’s love with the hungry, the hurting, and those in need around us. Your contributions will help us spread the Gospel through our church family’s mission in South Asia, our local schools as well as through the creation and revitalization of churches on a regional and national level. Additionally, your support will provide homes for foster children and empower some of the most significant gospel ministries of our generation.
While you consider the material included, we pray that your heart is moved to give as abundantly as Christ has given to us. Embrace this moment for God to enhance your faith as you present your greatest gift, joyfully saying - Happy Birthday Jesus!
We love you and are thankful for the privilege to serve our Lord Jesus with you!
Pastor Gene Davis
Pastor Jordan Reese
Pastor Charles Taylor
Pastor Dylan Anderson
Pastor Skyler Ortega
And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
QUESTIONS?