January 2009
Dear Friends, For most of us and for most of the time we live and perform ministry, we do it at the day to day level, meeting deadlines, fulfilling obligations, and attending meetings. Once in a great while something out of the ordinary comes along that absolutely captures our imagination and we begin to soar to new levels of excitement. That’s where Gail and I are in our ministry in England Let me tell you about it. Not quite one year ago we returned from a much-needed furlough in America. During our time there we were able to rest, conduct personal and family business that needed our attention, and secure some additional monthly financial support to help offset funds diminished by the unfriendly exchange rate and weakened dollar. The Lord was good to us and we were able to secure the needed personal support.  We returned to our home base here in Wolverhampton, England, and the church that God allowed us to plant over a quarter century ago and virtually continued right where we left off—with one major challenge—a new wrinkle in the building expansion which is desperately needed. Over the last two decades, Temple Baptist has become a solid congregation of the Baptist Bible Fellowship of Great Britain. The Lord has allowed us to plant two other churches that are thriving and to send one missionary from our work to Norway. In addition, at least three men have been called into ministry, and another three are currently studying in the Baptist Bible College of Great Britain for future ministry roles. What I’m trying to convey is this—God is using Temple Baptist Church in a mighty way to impact the UK for His glory. But upon our return to England following our furlough, we have been confronted with a dilemma beyond our control or ability to resolve. We not only need God’s help, we urgently need the help of God’s people everywhere.
Here’s what has happened—
For the last four years, we have been planning a major building expansion in order to facilitate the weekly attendance of our congregation. We’d reached that critical point where the shoe had begun to tell the foot how big it could get, if you get my drift. Our growth was being hampered, but Gail and I both knew the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual toll that a project of this magnitude could have on us, so we strategically planned our furlough in order to return refreshed and prepared to tackle the task at hand. When we started planning the project four years ago the bank was ready to write us a check. However, there has been a turn of events that we could not totally foresee—the local and global economy and its negative impact on our plans for ministry and facility expansion. During the time that we were on furlough, the good members and friends of our congregation continued faithfully in their ministering, serving, and giving. We reached our goal to have ten percent of the building costs in the bank before we begin construction. But in spite of this, the current economic climate means that the banks are not in a position to lend. The church is solvent and has no debt. The banks, however, are not! Further, building costs have soared beyond anyone’s predictions, and have brought us to a screeching halt at a critical time—a time that we cannot afford to be stalled. We have fallen on our faces in prayer, asking for God’s fresh direction and provision. I’m beginning to understand what Moses must have felt like while following God’s instruction to lead Israel to the Promised Land, but standing trapped by the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army pressing down, and seeing no way out! But then, it was as though God said to me, “You have not because you ask not!” So, not only are we now asking God for His miraculous provision, but we’re sharing it with our ministry friends around the world, asking you to join us in prayer. We urgently need a miracle! But let me share with you our fresh, new plan.  In
spite of all that our members and regularly attending friends have
given to-date, we’re initiating a crisis management fund-raising
effort locally that we’re calling Sock It Away! Here how it will
work—The new building will consist of an additional 3,835 square feet of space (Click either sketch for a closer look and use your browser's back button to return). By American standards, that isn’t very much building, but here in Great Britain that is a significant increase in building size, actually it is more than double our floor space. Our current estimates are just over £120 ($200) per square foot, which for the UK, is a modest cost.  We
are asking each person in our congregation to “purchase” one square
foot by sacrificially donating a minimum of £120. But knowing the heart that so many of our friends in America and around the world who care about and pray for our ministry here in England—a ministry impacting all of the United Kingdom, thanks be to God—we’re asking for your immediate help in two specific ways. First, would you please immediately begin praying with us concerning this urgent need? We’re in a crisis—because if we don’t break ground by February 14th, we must start all over with the lengthy, nerve-racking and expensive process with the council. We can’t afford to take that kind of time and add that extra expense to the equation! We must break ground and begin construction immediately. But it will take a miracle from the hand of God—but we know that God is able! Second, would you be willing to make a special investment in the work that God is doing here in Wolverhampton by “purchasing” at least one square foot of building? Even a one-time gift from you of $200 will be of great value as we move quickly to escape the strangle-hold of escalating costs. Perhaps the adult Bible classes of your church could take this urgent project on as a means of involving them in a personal way in world missions. Also, it would offer a great opportunity for children and youth involvement in global evangelization. How awesome would it be if your congregation made an eternal investment that provided several square feet of ministry floor space? Click here to see fund raising progress. Would you take the time right now to prayerfully consider our urgent request and then let us know how you will help? There are at least two means by which you can help. First, would you please join us in praying passionately and regularly for the financial needs to be supplied? As the late Dr. Jerry Falwell was known for saying, “Nothing of any eternal importance ever happens apart from prayer.” Second, would you “come over to Macedonia and help us” with a generous financial investment right away. We must break ground before that February 14th deadline! We have opened a sub-account at the Mission Office called Temple Baptist. Please earmark all donations to Tom Gritts/Temple Baptist. Not only will Gail and I be eternally grateful for your partnership with us in a time of crisis and great need, but so will the believers here who have given even beyond their means to this worthy cause. Further, a great cloud of future witnesses today gropes in darkness, but with your financial investment and prayers, we can shine the light at this critical time in British history. Thanks so much for your consideration! We anticipate your soon reply.
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Editor
- Don Tarvin |
