Let’s make 2010 the last year we finish in the red. In 2010 we gave $144,757 toward our expenses, which amounted to $171,868. We fell $27,111 short, but we are going to make a healthy turn in 2011.
New Hope made two decisions last year that will help us a great deal this year. First, by conducting a “Pay Down the Debt Campaign” and adding some money from savings to reduce our mortgage principle, we reduced our monthly mortgage payment from $3100 per month to $326 per month. Second, we adopted a realistic budget. Last year’s budget was $180,108. This year it is $149,186.
With our monthly mortgage payments reduced by more than $2000, we are going to give enough to support our 2011 budget
In our Long Range Plan we said “our first objective is to pay off the existing debt of $70,000 before the expiration date of October 30, 2018.” We will do that by making monthly payments of $926.81 and by making an additional quarterly payment on the outstanding principal as cash flow permits. We also plan to become able to pay off our existing debt by increasing the number of church members who are giving 10% of their income to the church.
If you can give 10% of your income to support our ministries, I am asking you to do it this year. If you cannot give ten per cent, decide on a percentage of your income you can afford to give and give it regularly. We will have a good year of giving and stop our long-running practice of spending money out of our savings in order to pay our bills.
God has worked through our Church Council, our Budget Committee, and our Long Range Planning Committee to lead us to the place where we can begin to pay for our ministries, support missions, and put some money into savings. “Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!”
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