November 2013
Dear Church Family,
ALL IN has been such a spiritual resurgence for so many here at Windsor Road. I’m
thinking of the 19 baptisms that took place on October 20. I’m thinking of the 90 who
attended our Missions Trip Luncheon, out of which 38 expressed interest in taking a shortterm missions trip next year. And then there are the faith stories we’ve heard from the
Arnolds, Johnsons, Kings, and the McDermotts. Oh, and let’s not forget Derek and Lydia
Gard, former members at Windsor Road and our missionaries with G.O. Ministries in the
Dominican Republic and Haiti. I can’t say enough how privileged I feel to be your pastor in
this season of our church. Our church’s best years are yet to come!
I want to make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of the ALL IN initiative. We’ve tried
our best to communicate all of this through our Vision Events, publications, and weekend
services, but I wanted to make sure everyone is fully informed.
WHAT IS THE ONE FUND INITIATIVE?
During the next two years, we are focusing all of our giving at Windsor Road into one fund.
This is a single fund that includes our regular operating budget, construction and
renovation to our facility, and significant local and global outreach. Our goal is to grow our
culture of generosity and raise $4.5 million over the next two years. (This will be
approximately $2 million more than what our giving as been over a 2 year period.)
HOW WILL ONE FUND MONIES BE ALLOCATED?
Monies in the One Fund will be allocated into three areas: MY FAITH, OUR CHURCH, and
THE WORLD. (1) MY FAITH monies ($1.5 million) will be spent on discipleship, spiritual
growth, education, worship, and staffing at Windsor Road. (2) OUR CHURCH monies ($2.5
million) will be spent maintaining current facilities, repurposing our Student Life space,
adding a Hub / Connection area to our lobby, relocating the church offices, and providing a
significant down payment on our new Children’s Ministry expansion. (3) THE WORLD
($500,000) monies will be spent resourcing our current missions, local outreach, and
benevolence ministries; and improving school preparedness in Champaign County as well
as building a church in Cerca Carvajal, Haiti.
HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THE GOAL OF $4.5 MILLION?
We arrived at this figure through a process of prayer and discussion among staff,
elders, and other ministry leaders, striving to discern where God is calling Windsor
Road over the next two years.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS NOW?
It’s no secret that we have been out of space in our children’s facilities for quite some time.
As our leadership has been praying about how to address that need, we’ve felt called to do
more in our community and around the world as well.
WHY THE SCHOOL PREPAREDNESS PROJECT?
3rd grade ISAT scores help the state of Illinois determine how many prisons to
build in the future. We believe we can make a difference there. Our work to improve
school preparedness in Champaign County will make an impact that will be felt for
generations.
WHY A CHURCH IN HAITI?
It’s clear that God’s work in this world extends far beyond our local neighborhoods.
Between natural disasters and economic woes, few places on our planet are more
impoverished than Haiti. Our partnership in Cerca Carvajal will allow God to change
lives, both here and there.
HOW MUCH WILL THE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR CAMPUS COST?
The Elders have set a financial target of $3.8 million, which includes renovations to our
existing facility as well as the new construction of a dedicated children’s ministry addition.
Monies in the OUR CHURCH portion of ALL IN will provide a significant down payment for
campus improvements. We will seek financing for this project, and we will aggressively pay
this down just as we did our last expansion project.
WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION ON CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS BEGIN?
Lord willing, construction will begin during the spring season of 2014; it is estimated that
the construction will take 9-12 months.
CAN I DESIGNATE MY GIFT TO AREAS I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT?
All giving to ALL IN will be used for every need and project, just like your current giving to
Windsor Road.
WHOM SHOULD I CONTACT TO DISCUSS A GIFT OF STOCKS, INVESTMENTS,
OR PROPERTY?
You can contact our Administrative Minister, Mike Simmons, and he will assist you.
(msimmons@windsorroad.org, 217.359.2122)
WHAT ARE YOU ASKING ME TO DO?
First and foremost, we are asking you to pray and seek what God is calling you to
do. We are challenging you to raise the level of generosity in your home
We are asking you to go ALL IN, to be a part of taking MY FAITH and OUR CHURCH into
THE WORLD.
Passionately pursuing Christ,