Ivan Birrell, Communications Director

What is the church doing with the Cadiz Road property?

The property will be retained for  future growth.  This can be re-evaluated at a later date by the church if needed.

Is the building fund money going to be used on the new family life    center?

Yes, it is going to be used on new building.  Charitable tax laws prohibit a person from designating funds to a charitable organization and then have them be tax deductible.  This allows the church to utilize the funds to best serve the Lord’s work.

The building fund was also set up before the Cadiz property was ever purchased.  I know some people  assumed that the money was given for the Cadiz property but the church minutes from the business meetings prove the building fund preceded any land purchases.

What happens to the family life center if the church moves to the new property?

Several options are possible. It can be retained by the church for use as a family life center.  It can be converted into the preschool or a Christian school.  It can be sold because it is on a separate piece of property from the church proper.

Why is the building orientated with the front entrance facing the old Fortner property?

Since part of the old structure is being refurbished instead of a completely new building (significant saving doing it this way), the building could not exit directly onto the street side due to safety concerns and  spacing allowances for the drive through canopy.

Will the kitchen area be commercial grade?

Yes.

When will construction begin on the new building?

Construction can begin as earlier as late summer or beginning of fall.

“Please Pray”

   Please allow me to say, “thank you” to everyone that attended one of the informational meetings that took place March 19th through March 23rd.  The meetings were a blessing for those of us that presented and I    appreciate the overwhelming support during those meetings. It is my hope that if you did not get to attend one of those meetings that you have been able to pick up a packet that contains the information from the Follow God’s Plan Capital Giving Campaign.  We have such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this special time in the life of Southside Baptist Church. 

   I continue to encourage you to pray about your role in this campaign.  Please pray daily for God’s leadership in your life with regard to what He wants you to do during this campaign.  We only have approximately four weeks until  Celebration Sunday when we will have the opportunity to turn in our pledges.  It is my hope that you have your  prayer reminder visually located in a place reminding you to pray as well as your “Giving Commitment Guide” that provides scripture readings and the Suggested Steps for Determining God’s Will.

   It is important for each of us to recognize that if we are to reach our goal of  (Victory – $900,000, Challenge  $1,000,000, or Hallelujah – $1,300,000), we must buy-in to our theme:  “Not Equal Gifts, but Equal Sacrifice.”  We must give based on God’s Revelation – “Lord, what do you want to receive through me?”  This approach and        response calls for faith. Through prayer, our giving becomes an act of worship.  It’s important to remember, “All that we have comes from God!”  May God bless each of you as you seek His will for you in this effort!  

 A Letter From Your Pastor

   God continues to amaze me with what is happening inside our church body here at Southside Baptist Church.  Excitement has filled our congregation; we are   seeing growth in our fellowship both numerically and spiritually.  The “Follow God’s Plan” capital giving campaign is moving ahead at full speed.  We are in the middle of this incredible movement and moment where we are seeking to make God’s vision for our church a reality.  God could build this wonderful Family Life Center without any of our help, but that is the most wonderful thing about this process is the fact that God wants to use us and the resources He has given us to help see His vision for our church become a reality. 

   As a church family, God has given us all the resources we need to see this Family Life Center come to fruition.  I read a story not long ago that illustrated this point perfectly.  “The pastor stood before the congregation and said, “I have bad news, I have good news, and I have more bad news.” The congregation got quiet. “The bad news is: the church needs a new roof!” the pastor said. The congregation groaned.  “The good news is: we have enough money for the new roof.” A sigh of relief was heard rippling through the gathered group.  “The bad new is: it’s still in your pockets”.  The Lord has been gracious to us and He has made it clear to us what our next step is in reaching our community for Christ and helping disciples grow in the faith.  God has also been very gracious to us in the fact that He has given us all the resources we need to see this building come to fruition.  The hard part is giving God back what is already His, our money to see this vision come to reality. 

   I encourage you to do as my wife and I have already done.  That is, lift up this question to God in prayer.  “Lord what does sacrificial giving look like in my life?”  Also pray this, “Lord help me to be obedient to fully give what you ask me to give.”  As Kaitlyn and I sought the Lord in this matter He made it absolutely clear to us what we were to sacrifice in this campaign and I know the Lord will do the same in your family as well.  Realize God will bless your obedience and He will use the sacrifice you make to further His Kingdom’s purpose for years to come.  This is an eternal investment that will impact generations to come.  This is an investment that will more than likely out live your life here on earth.  That is truly an amazing thought that you and I can be apart of something that will continue to make an eternal difference long after we are gone.

   Please pray that God will guide you through your giving to the “Follow God’s Plan” capital giving campaign.  It is a high honor to be your pastor and to lead the church in this wonderful time in the history of our church.  I love you and may God richly bless you and your family!

Pastor W. Baxter Boyd

Carrell Boyd, Emphasis Director

   It is my hope that this newsletter finds you and your family doing well.  As the Emphasis Director for the Follow God’s Plan Campaign, I want to encourage each of you to be open to God’s vision for the future of Southside Baptist Church.  We have a wonderful opportunity to be a part of one of the most exciting times in the history of this great church of God.   Therefore, I am  asking that each one of you commit to spending special time daily in prayer for our church and specifically for your role in supporting the construction of the Southside Family Life Center.

   Southside Baptist Church has a history that has enriched the lives of individuals and families in our area for over a half century.  We have a tradition that is rich in preaching and spreading the gospel in order that souls could and would be saved with all credit going to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

There are many individuals in the past that spent a tremendous amount of time in prayer and commitment to seek God’s direction for the future.  It took great courage to build the first sanctuary on this campus.  Several years later, this church was spiritually led to build the current sanctuary that we worship in today.  Now, God is spiritually leading us to build a new Family Life Center to be a beacon of light for not only now, but also for future generations to come.

   I encourage each of you to pray earnestly for the Southside Baptist Church family to embrace this opportunity that is before us.  Please pray daily for God’s will to be accomplished in this endeavor.  Brother Baxter and the Deacon Body recommended this vision, our church body voted overwhelmingly to proceed, and we are now ready to take the next step in securing the funding to construct our new facility.