Six years ago our congregation rose to the challenge to renovate over 90% of the inside of our church including the addition of the Family Entrance. Over the next four years our congregation rose to the challenge to re-roof our ministry center. This Spring we improved 50% of our 23 year-old campus by reconstructing our entire parking lot. Just last month our congregation stepped up to repair our 15 passenger van and generously gave toward the purchase of an additional van.

In short, our congregation is amazingly generous. And by God's grace, our congregation understands the profound role of stewardship. Stewardship isn't simply managing money and stuff. Stewardship is recognizing God's ownership and design of all things and responding according to God's plan and purpose with what he has entrusted into our care.

To whom much is given, much is required. Scripture exhorts us in this way. Rush Creek has been given so much. One exercise the staff and leadership is diving into is to answer the question "where do we see God at work in the life of Rush Creek Bible Church." Our prayer is that we take stock in what God is doing and join him as we extend ourselves and our resources to further advance his purposes.

God has been using Rush Creek as a ministry center increasingly over the last decade or more. Rush Creek is known in the community as one of the more active churches trying to bring light and life to the greater Byron Center area.

Right now we have an opportunity to finish what we began back in 2017 with our Project Renewal campaign—a completed renovation of our campus. With the parking lot and ministry transportation (60% of the Welcome Home! Campaign) behind us, we are nearing the finish line of ministry center renovations that began back in 2017.

These final items will ensure that we have hit the reset button on our entire church ministry center:

• Security upgrades

• Website (the first "door" nearly every visitor walks through)

• Worship Center main floor and balcony—carpet and chairs.

• Outbuilding preparation

And there is one more thing—something not on the “capital campaign” list of projects because it really only requires sweat equity.

As we discuss resources entrusted to us by God, did you know there actually is a Rush Creek at Rush Creek Bible Church? Have you ever seen it? On September 23 from 9AM-12PM we are asking for all hands on deck to uncover and reclaim the beauty of Rush Creek by clearing out the brush and exposing our beautiful Rush Creek. This will be step 1 as we work toward a walking path alongside the creek.

One more thing we can rejoice about: Last year at this time the Trustees planned on embarking on a $700,000 campaign. However, after very thorough research and prayer, we decided to reconstruct the entire parking lot and not just half of it as originally planned. This added $250,000 to our original plan. We knew the cost would be a step of faith for our congregation and yet we didn't want to waste more money in the long run.

Trustees continue to work hard to continue due diligence with each of the above remaining areas to address. There has been no pause in these processes. Further we remain committed to move as fast as God provides the financial resources in and through our church. Due to lead time and the time it takes for thorough consideration and vetting, we will have the opportunity to extend our campaign into the new year. Not surprisingly, God is working out the timing and the cash flow. We remain attentive to his leading.

We ask you to continue to prayerfully consider your giving to help us finish well what God began in and through Rush Creek.