As I write this letter, my heart is filled with delight as I hear the joyful noise of our preschool children singing (loudly!) at chapel in the sanctuary. Their songs and laughter are emblematic of the life and ministry that have returned to our facility. I am so very grateful that we have made it through such a difficult season; and I’m grateful for all the good things happening at Sunrise. Each Sunday morning, we welcome more new children to children’s church and Sunday school to learn about Jesus. Each Sunday evening our ~30 youth gather for games, dinner, and thoughtful biblical teaching. Every week, we welcome more first-time guests and new families to worship. And in our leadership meetings, the church calendar is always a point of discussion because, once again, many groups are booking space for bible studies, fellowship gatherings, adult, children, and Fireproof music practice, Scouts, and more. Our building is breathing with life and celebration all to the glory of God!
As we look ahead, we know the coming year will be pivotal for Sunrise. For one, 2022 will mark the year we get to yell our debt-free scream! (Financial Peace University friends, you know what I mean!) In the coming 12 months, among other things, we’ll finally pay off our mortgage and be 100% debt free. We give thanks to God that Sunrise has gone from over $918,000 in total mortgage debt to just over $80,000 (as of Oct. 31) in just nine years! That includes our parking lot expansion, building addition – everything!
As our Finance Team has prepared for the coming year, they made a unanimous recommendation to the Church Council, who then unanimously approved the early pay-off of our parsonage mortgage – to both save interest charges and remove the burden of the parsonage from our coming year’s expenses. Because of the elimination of the parsonage loan, the substantial reduction in costs from our staff realignment, and reductions in our conference apportionments, our 2022 total expenses ($548,911) will be nearly $78,000 LESS than our budget from just two years ago. These reductions have been necessary as Sunrise has been impacted by the realities of the COVID pandemic. Over the past 18 months, several key contributors lost their jobs, relocated because of their jobs, or have shared that they needed to reduce their giving because of changes in their family’s financial situation. Further, like all churches, Sunrise has experienced a reduction in in-person worship attendance during COVID, which has also had a negative financial impact.
However, with the new year we are looking ahead in hopeful expectation. I believe there’s a wonderful adventure ahead, and plenty of opportunities to share the love of Jesus in a multitude of ways in this growing community. In addition to increasing activity and engagement through our current ministries, there are many things I’m excited about once we have our debt free scream – particularly, redirecting monies currently used for our mortgage toward increasing our mission, outreach, and service to our local community to share God’s love in real and practical ways. Can you imagine the kind of impact Sunrise will have?
I invite you to join the McAllister family in making a financial pledge to Sunrise for the coming year. Laurea and I are committed to supporting Sunrise with a tithe of our income, because we see the impacts of our collective giving, and we believe in our church’s mission to grow disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. You can make a pledge for the coming year at this link.
If you have questions about our budget or the ways you can give, you may email our Finance leaders at finance@mysunrise.org.
Grateful to be a partner in ministry with you,
JM+