Re| Rebuild. Reach More.

[Q.21] How do I volunteer with the manual labor portion of our new church?

Re:admin — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:31:33 +0000

[A] As we move closer to the commencement of construction, we will start a massive campaign to mobilize able bodied people to lend a helping hand with the Sunset project. Undoubtedly there will be opportunities with clean-up, painting, landscaping, etc. for which we will be calling upon those who call UBC home. Be on the look-out for our call to arms. Everyone will have a chance to contribute sweat equity to this project.

[Q.20] What will it take for us to give $24 Million over 3 years?

Re:admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:21:13 +0000

To make this goal we must have 100% participation. Every person who claims UBC as their spiritual family needs to find their place and do their part. Some whom God has entrusted with major financial resources will need to give major gifts of multiple 100s of 1000s of dollars, even millions. The larger majority of us will need to give as generously as we can gifts from $1,500 up to $75,000.

500 who will give $1000 over 3 years = $500,000 total $500,000

500 who will give $1500 over 3 years = $750,000 total $1,250,000

200 who will give $5000 over 3 years = $1,000,000 total $2,250,000

200 who will give $7500 over 3 years = $1,500,000 total $4,000,000

200 who will give $10,000 over 3 years = $2,000,000 total $6,000,000

125 who will give $20,000 over 3 years = $2,500,000 total $8,500,000

50 who will give $50,000 over 3 years = $2,500,000 total $11,000,000

20 who will give $75,000 over 3 years = $1,500,000 total $12,500,000

[Q.19] How will you know what God wants you to give?

Re:admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:22:41 +0000

The most important decision you and your family will make during the RE initiative will be the decision about your own giving commitment. As you begin praying about this commitment, remember that our theme is EQUAL SACRIFICE not Equal Gifts. God has not given everyone the ability to make the same financial commitment, but He does call on each of us to make the same sacrificial commitment.

You can give based on REASON or REVELATION. It takes little to no faith to give on reason, asking, “What can I afford?” But a gift based on revelation comes after praying and asking God what He wants to give through you. A gift based on prayer becomes an ACT OF WORSHIP!

[Q.18] What to expect during the Re Giving Initiative?

Re:admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:08:57 +0000

1. Expect God to REveal Himself among us…providing, healing,
answering prayer, bringing down walls, delivering families.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your
heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) We’ll REport these as we are made
aware of them so we can all REjoice!

2. Expect spiritual REinvigoration and REnewal…through stron-
ger faith, higher hope and deeper love. “Just as you excel in
everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete
earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in
this grace of giving.” (2 Corinthians 8:7) When we truly seek
His kingdom first, God brings blessing and strengthens our
commitments.

3. Expect to be harassed and REbuffed by Satan…in problems,
circumstances, stuff breaking down, health issues, accidents
and the like. When God owns a person’s wallet He totally
owns the person (Jesus said “Where your treasure is, there
your heart is”) When we start giving our treasure to Jesus,
Satan starts losing his grip on our hearts and doesn’t want to
let go, so he sends distractions meant to discourage.

4. Expect to REjoice in REsounding JOY! Jesus taught “There is
more happiness in giving than receiving” Acts 20:35 Jesus
gave His life for us “for the joy set before him”. (Hebrews 12:2)
As we teach people how to give God’s way – by faith, full of
hope, in love, sacrificing in gratitude as an act of worship –
their souls are filled with irrepressible joy!

[Q.17] How do I decide what to give?

Re:admin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:59:09 +0000

1. Will I give based on reason or revelation?

Is my gift merely what I think I can afford or is it what God wants me to trust Him to give through me as His instrument?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Jesus, Matthew 7:7

“If any of you lack wisdom, he should ask of God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault.” James 1:5

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over…” Jesus, Luke 6:38

2. Does this amount truly stretch my FAITH?

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all
things at all times, having all you need, you will abound in
every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone
who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He
rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

3. Does it show that I value my HOPE of eternal reward more than material things on earth?

“Use your money to do good…Always being ready…By doing this you will be storing up real treasure for yourself in heaven–it is the only safe investment for eternity! And you’ll live a fruitful Christian life down here as well” 1 Timothy 6:19

4. Will this amount demonstrate how much I LOVE Christ and His church family?

“Simon son of John, Do you truly love me?.. Take care of my sheep.” Jesus, John 21:16

“Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus, Matthew 10:8

5. Does this amount represent a genuine sacrifice?

“I will not sacrifice to my God offerings that cost me nothing.”
2 Samuel 24:24

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only
Son…” John 3:16

6. Does this amount express the level of gratitude I have for
how God has blessed my life through UBC?

“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your
name O Lord” Psalm 54:6

[Q.16] What is included in the $40M-$42M cost of the project?

Re:admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:59:10 +0000

[A.16] Most of that cost is in the construction budget (about $35M). That amount includes all site work, running a sewer line to Dadeland, all audio-visual equipment, landscaping, parking areas and 185,000 square feet of construction. This calculates out to about $189/sq.ft. which is below what the average building of this type would normally cost. We will go out to bid for final construction costs after plans are approved by Miami Dade County and appropriate revisions are made. Some costs are going down at
this time because of a slowing in construction work in S. Florida, however some equipment related costs are increasing. We are hopeful that this number will ultimately decrease. In addition to the basic construction
cost (hard cost) we also have soft costs. These include additional professional fees due and other miscellaneous items (i.e. permit fees, etc.) of around $2M. We anticipate incurring interest charges on construction financing that will vary based on giving levels. We have budgeted for telephone system, data system, security and the theme-ing of areas (FamJamz, Elementary and Preschool) and $1M for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Additionally there are start-up expenses we expect to incur. These anticipated costs include increased staffing and ministry expense, and operational costs for our first years in the new facility. It is anticipated that in time our growth and giving will sustain our operating expenses. Please note that certain statements made in these responses reflect our expectations regarding future events and economic performance. They are forward-looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to change and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are only our best estimates based on our current expectations and projections about future events. Important factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ, positively or negatively, from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

[Q.15] How much do we need to raise?

Re:admin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:52:16 +0000

[A.15] Estimated cost of the total project is in the $40M-$42M range. If we combine the $5M we have on hand with what we expect to receive in the final Homeward Bound receipts and the proceeds from the sale of the UBC Coral Gables property our total is $19M. This leaves the balance needed at approximately $23M plus $1,150,000 related to the missions initiative passed by the Church membership, Sunday, Feb 17. If we are able to give the full $24.1M we should be able to build the entire facility, furnish it completely, and move in without any long-term debt. If we give $15M, we should be able to complete the building, furnish it, but would move in with a long-term mortgage that would need to be serviced from our annual operating budget. If we receive any less than $15M we will need to review our construction plans and modify them accordingly (for instance, we may not be able to build the Chapel, exterior covered walkways, porte cochere, and multi purpose building etc.). The more we give - and the sooner we give - the more we save in interest, which brings the total cost down!

REACH Rally: What a Night!

Re:admin — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:54:13 +0000

What an AMAZING night we shared! Thank you to all of those who attended the REACH Rally! For those of you who were not able to make it check out the RE podcast to download Bill Hybels’ message. To view REACH Rally pictures click here!

Church Plans Move to Sunset Drive

Re:admin — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:56:28 +0000

Click to Enlarge!

Kendall Gazette writes an article covering our move to Sunset Drive.

Download the Full Article

REenvision

Bill White — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:41:10 +0000

People are Dying. Lives are in the Balance. Families are on the brink. Eternity is at stake.

Imagine a place where people’s lives - one life at a time - are being changed by the thousands - a multinational redemptive transformational community – where good theology is being turned into personal biography. Our church is one of God’s incubators for life change, a greenhouse of environments warmed by God’s holy fire and full of God’s life for spiritual transformation to God’s glory as every life finds their place in God’s story. Imagine inspiring, challenging, Spirit-saturated worship gatherings calling us to life on the highest plane, uniting the heart of God with the hearts of people through arts, music and messages that are relevant & real, bringing God’s Word to life.Imagine Discipleship ministries – our Family Ministry and Adult Life Development Ministry – engaging people at every age and stage of life in rich and growing community in environments that, like Jesus, are full of grace and truth. Imagine a community of well loved people loving others, serving and giving every treasure to God’s glory. Jesus said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give His life…”. Imagine every member learning to grow in the joy of meaningful contribution – where barriers of race, gender, economics and education are overcome by the love of God and His kind of true righteousness in action. Imagine a church full of people filled to overflowing with God’s love then inspired to return to their homes, neighborhoods, work-places and beyond to love others and help our city and world experience the love and life of Jesus through them. Imagine us shining a light to come home to!