A Note From Pastor Mark
I hope you will read everything I want to share with you. Please read it twice.
Three years ago, I began to feel a deep internal drive to develop plans for the projects now under construction at our Missouri City and Richmond/Rosenberg campuses. The last thing I wanted to do then was the fund-raising campaign we now know as Unfinished. I knew it would require all of me. I have never felt I was good at raising money, and I would much rather do almost anything else. But I couldn’t talk God out of it. I couldn’t escape the sense of call. I obeyed. Our church has also said yes to the biggest moment in our history, and I am so grateful for the greatest church of all time! There has been much prayer, soul searching, and hard work that have brought us to where we are today. In just over 18 months, this church has given almost $39 million to Unfinished! It is staggering to consider. Never has Sugar Creek ever given so much in such a small amount of time. We aren’t a wealthy church. It has always required all of us throughout our 51 years.
So, sitting back and seeing what has already happened over the past 18 months is breathtaking to me. We took on three goals at the same time: a huge regular budget, the most aggressive mission goal our church has ever had, and three construction projects, one on each campus. All in just two years. We finished our first year of Unfinished right on target. We then asked our newest members to join us, and over 300 families said yes to giving more than $2 million in the final 13 months of this campaign. I am told that our new givers are faithfully engaged. All of us have sacrificed and given faithfully. I am so proud of this church. I am so proud of every one of you! I am so very proud of you!
Being totally transparent, it appears to me that we are now a little behind the 25-month goal. We have had a few months over the past 6 months when giving has not been as strong. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s normal on a journey like this. But even during these months, God has continued to move powerfully among us. People are still coming to Christ. New families are still joining our church. Lives are still being changed across every campus and through our mission partnerships. This is exactly the kind of work God has called us to do together. That is why I remain full of faith and gratitude. I truly believe God is leading us forward and preparing us to impact even more lives than any of us can imagine. Stop for a moment and absorb these facts. During this same time, we have seen 377 people saved and baptized. We have welcomed 567 new members into our church. We have even had 816 brand-new givers to our church. We have seen over 1,800 people come to Christ through our campus ministries, mission trips, and mission partnerships! God just keeps blessing!
I am writing you this letter to say this: We are headed in the right direction, and we need to finish these final 6 months strong! It will take all of us. That’s OK. It always has.
For those who have already finished your commitment, thank you! and please keep helping us. For those who are behind, forget what is behind and help us now. For those who are right on target with your commitment, yay God, and keep going. For those who are new, join us. It will take all of us to do our best.
At the beginning, we decided to do the Richmond/Rosenberg and Missouri City projects first and then wait for God’s timing for the Sugar Land Campus. That was a good decision. The Richmond/Rosenberg project opens 13,000 sq. ft. of new space for children, students, and adults as 25,000 new homes are being built within 5 minutes of our campus. Because of your sacrificial giving, future families, children, and students will soon fill those spaces, hear the gospel, and have their lives changed by Jesus. It was never about buildings. It was always about life change in Christ. The project was projected to cost $2.5 million, and it is totally on budget. The space will be finished in a few weeks and dedicated on the first of August. I am asking all of us to dig deep and give with faith to finish out the Richmond/Rosenberg project costs. Let’s have a surge of giving throughout June and finish the month with an unusual offering on June 28. Make this month the largest giving month in June in our history.
God has never abandoned Sugar Creek and never will. He loves us. Let’s finish this story God is writing through us together!