Church at the Crossing is a dynamic, growing church family committed to raising $1 million in 15 months to better serve others through missions giving and debt elimination here at home. Our strategic missions partners in this campaign will be forever blessed by the indelible mark our partnership with them will leave on their ministries. While this is truly inspiring, you may still have questions. If the following doesn't address your concerns, feel free to contact campaign co-chairs Miles and Dina Furnish at (317) 577-5776 or a member of our pastoral staff at (317) 844-9355.

Q. I believe in the missions giving of the church and am inspired to get personally involved. What can I do?

A. There are always opportunities to get involved. Contact Missions Director Andrew Gale at (317) 844-9355 to learn what you can do today. And stay tuned for announcements relating to specific Prepare the Way campaign involvement opportunities.

Q. Another campaign so soon? We just finished the Hundredfold Harvest, and I'm not sure what our plans are now that INDOT has stepped in to reduce the size of the church property for highway expansion. Why does our church need more money right now?

A. The only debt we carry as a church is on our existing sanctuary – by the end of 2009 that debt will still be about $850,000. Imagine the work we could be doing for God's Kingdom if we were free from our church's debt. From the beginning of 20/20 Vision nearly five years ago, we've envisioned this as a three-phase process, and we're just beginning phase two. While we're excited about our future as a church and have committed to staying on this current site to serve this area of our city, we do not yet know specifics of what our growth will look like architecturally. Still, we're pursuing our planned second campaign targeting our important goal of debt elimination.

Q. We just wrapped up a very successful capital campaign raising over $2 million. Why can’t we use that to pay off our debt?

A. Our first campaign, the Hundredfold Harvest, was a blessing in helping us reduce some of our only debt, fund the planning phase of the new Centennial Center, give generously to missions, and create a nest egg for our future build. Those funds are working for us right now, earning interest and allowing us to hire architects and planners to help us define our next footprint on this site. As originally planned, this second campaign, Prepare the Way, will eliminate our debt and support others through missions partnerships. And the third campaign, scheduled for 2010, will raise the rest of the funds needed to build entirely debt free. In addition, as our church family grows, this three-phase strategy gives us the chance to engage new members of the congregation in supporting our future.

Q. If we can't build the Centennial Center because of the INDOT plans, what are the plans?

A. Of this we are certain: we are staying on this site. Church at the Crossing is serving a need in this part of the metro area, and we've seen steady growth at this location. In fact, our location may be even more important than ever if INDOT is focusing on traffic management in this area of the city! We've met with several architects and consultants. While no formal plans exist yet, we are encouraged by the opportunities that are before us at our current church home. Your giving during this important campaign will help us "prepare the way" for the next phase. As we progress, we will share that information with you when it becomes available. As Pastor Steve has said in the past, "When I know more, you'll know more."

Q. We always contribute to the annual Year End Offering, and now there's Prepare the Way. Should I contribute to both?

A. Year End Offering 2008 will be incorporated entirely into the Prepare the Way campaign. If you have already planned to contribute to the Year End Offering, this is greatly appreciated! So be sure to add your planned Year End Offering amount on top of your Prepare the Way pledge commitment to come up with your total pledge number.

Q. Fifteen months is a really short period of time. I'll submit a pledge, but must I fulfill the entire pledge by December 2009?

A. Our campaign will be most successful and our missions partnerships will benefit from having all contributions completed by the end of 2009. Thank you for your generosity and for doing all you can to help us reach our goals.

Q. This campaign sounds different from other long-term capital campaigns. Can I still give through methods such as estate planning, stock, real estate, etc?

A. We appreciate any generosity and are willing to discuss these and other options to fulfill these short-term campaign goals. Please contact Prepare the Way campaign follow-up team leader Sky Schmidt at (317) 773-2410 to discuss those details.