How Are We Doing Financially?

     As everyone is wondering how the economy has affected our region and our churches, we are grateful for God's financial provision through Calvary.

     As a church we minister to people, make a difference in our community and take the good news of Jesus Christ from McAllen to the ends of the world.  This is primarily a spiritual task.  Nevertheless, it is also requires our finances.  Our congregation gave $1,903,479 through Calvary’s budget in 2011.  Of this, Calvary invested $1,789,039 in ministries and missions that touched lives in our church, community and around the world.

     In terms of budget income, 2011 exceeded the annual budget income for 2009 and 2010.  In fact, it is one of three years since 2004 that exceeded the $1.9 million mark in budget giving.  We praise God for this.  In terms of our month to month giving, here is a graph comparison for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011:

You will notice that, while August 2011 was the lowest giving month of the past four years, all other 2011 months surpassed giving for previous years. There were a few 2011 months where we surpassed all three previous years.  We are grateful to the Lord for this and hopeful about what He desires to do through Calvary.

     In January of this year we started a new church-adopted budget consisting of $2,059,615.  This faith budget increases missions support from 16% to 18%.  Additionally, it provides for the filling of the Pastor for Global Impact vacancy in our staff.  For the first month of this new budget, we received $143,844 which was $4,539.26 over our spending but $47,959 under budget.  As the first months of the year go, this January (2012) exceeded budget giving over 2010 & 2011. In fact, it is one of the top three giving January's since 2005.

     We are grateful for those in our church who are giving generously, and sometimes sacrificially.  Yet, we believe our potential is greater!  We believe that as we seek God and rely on him, He can help us exceed this year's budget.

     We are expecting great things from God this year.  We are increasing our missionary support.  We are developing a community transformation initiative that we are calling "BRIDGE" (see last week's post below).  We are continuing to develop direct partnerships with ministries in Kenya, Saltillo, Chiapas and along the Amazon River.  Some from our church will be traveling to these places this summer.  In the meantime, we look forward to ministering to our growing congregation.  Our children, students, adults, senior adults, worship and our Spanish language ministries all continue to move forward. 

     As we move forward to the rest of 2012, pray that God would allow us to give in such a way that all mission and ministry needs are met for his glory.  Pray that individuals and families would be encouraged to invest in what God is doing at Calvary.  If all of us give generously as God's Spirit directs us, there is no telling what God can do through our church!