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 Fall 2006 • Ministry Mosaic the semi-annual newsletter of Converge Worldwide (BGC) Cornerstone Fund BGC Connection - Fire & Reign • Team News - Jan Otis - Retires • Church Spotlight • Investment Options • Good News • The Cornerstone Team
Welcome Back Welcome to the first of our semi-annual newsletters. We hope that it is informative and useful as we package a bit of the Fund’s ministry experience for you. For nearly 52 years the Converge Worldwide (BGC) Cornerstone Fund, and its predecessor the Revolving Building Trust, has provided an option for the BGC constituency to partner with us in helping Converge Worldwide (BGC) churches obtain facilities. We have tried to balance the needs of the church with the needs of the investor. If we do our jobs right we will help the church understand the financial implications of their project and provide encouragement to them in the process. In doing this, we help to manage the risk for the Investor. It’s interesting, when I started with the Fund 15 years ago, $500,000 was a big loan and $1,000,000 was huge. Today the norm is more like $3,000,000 for a new facility. The exciting part of what we do is not in seeing the dollars come in and go out but in hearing how the facility, financed by the Cornerstone Fund, has impacted the lives of the people attending. Converge Worldwide (BGC) is filled with growing and dynamic churches that are reaching many people for the kingdom. God has used our partnership with these churches to help facilitate these transformed lives. Our intent with this newsletter is to give you a strong sense of the ministry side of the Fund. Because this publication won’t go out to every one I ask you to share the story of the Fund. Recycle this newsletter by giving it to a friend who might benefit. With 300 churches planted in the past five years we’re going to need your help.
What makes Fire & Reign so compelling?
More information about Fire & Reign is available on the Converge Worldwide (BGC) website, www.convergeww.org. After nearly 12 years, Jan Otis (pictured left), Assistant Director Investor Services,
retires. Many of our investors have talked with Jan through the years
and have been served well. Jan and her husband will probably be taking
trips to warmer climates. Thank you, Jan, for your service. Bill Castic (pictured right) is the new Assistant Director Investor Services effective September 18, 2006. Please give him a call and say “hi!” (but not everyone all at once!) CHURCH SPOTLIGHT - Easton Baptist
Easton Baptist Church was founded in the early 1970’s, as a daughter church of Trinity Baptist in Brockton, MA. The church moved to its present location later in the decade. Easton Baptist went for a number of years without a Senior Pastor and attendance during this time dropped significantly to a low of 60 people attending weekly services. During this time, the parking lot, originally laid in 1976, became quite an eyesore to all who passed by the church. Many in town had begun to think that the church was no longer functioning, even though the building itself is very nice and situated in a prime location within the town. The church leadership, before calling a new Senior Pastor, made a covenant to strive for excellence in all areas of their ministry; including renovation of their building. One of the top priority items for the church was repairing the church parking lot. The Cornerstone Fund provided the financing for this project even though there were some questions about the church’s giving base. Both sides believed that a new parking lot would be an enhancement to the church’s overall ability to effectively minister to the community of Easton. Since the completion of the parking lot project; attendance has doubled, while giving has increased 80%. Al Aronson (building coordinator) states, “The resources provided by the BGC Cornerstone Fund gave our people the hope and incentive to believe that they can grow and minister in the Lord’s name far beyond what we had done in the past.” Once again; God is using financing provided by the Fund to change lives and draw people to Himself in and around the Easton area through the partnership of the BGC Cornerstone Fund and the local church body. “How am I going to afford sending my child to college?” This question is asked countless times each day throughout our country. Maybe you have even found yourself asking this question. It is a great question to ponder as a child’s education can be a significant expense for a family.
One of the many uses of The Fund’s investment offerings is to save for college tuition costs. The Fund offers a variety of certificates that might be right for your family to meet this need. You also have the satisfaction of knowing that while your investment grows, it is being used to build new churches, help churches purchase land and assist churches in expansion and renovation projects.
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TEAM NEWS
A “Lot” of Change in Easton
Continually rising tuition costs have driven individuals and families to begin to seek a
solution to this problem even before the child is born. With financial planning you can
alleviate some of the financial stress when it comes time to pay for your child’s education.
We would like you to share the good news of the Cornerstone Fund with Baptist General
Conference Church members, family and friends. Share with them that the monies they are
saving and investing for their future needs is at the same time helping BGC churches and
related ministries now and in the future. If you are part of this ministry already we “Thank
You” and ask that you share The Cornerstone Fund’s good news with fellow BGCers, family
and friends. If you are not, contact us; let us answer any questions you may have about how
you can be part of this ministry.