MBC
Morrinsville Baptist Church

Nearly 8 years ago MBC began to investigate building new facilities. In 2008 the church agreed to build once certain Key Indicators were in place. The largest of these was thought to be the money needed to begin. Now, thanks to an amazing offering on Sunday 25th April that exceeded One Million Dollars, we are almost in a position to start building. Our key indicators have now been met and within weeks we should have Building Consent. Then, so long as the cash part of the offering has been banked, we can begin.

It is very important in terms of our unity that a large majority of the church indicate our readiness to contribute practically or financially to the project. It is quite extraordinary that the $1,000,000 pledged came from just half the congregation. And although we have a majority who have pledged, it is important that we are all on board.

So it is time for everyone else to acknowledge the miracle of this offering and to join together with those who have already stepped out in faith. The size of a person's pledge is not as relevant as is the fact they actually make a pledge. Of course it is relevant to them and to God, but in terms of us being united as a church, the key factor is that as many people as possible indicate their partnership in this process. AND who knows if through the giving of the rest of the church God may enable us to complete the entire project more quickly than anyone dared dream!

(Our Pledge booklet is online and can be downloaded from the Building Plans section of the Downloads page - click here)

Our other Key Indicators are almost in place, so once a majority (for the sake of unity let's make that a large majority) have committed to the project, we will be set to build - hopefully before the end of winter.

Over the years of investigation and planning, a number of people have shared words they felt were from God. The leaders have weighed these and believe they do indicate God's direction for the church particularly with relation to the building project. These words include;

-    Noah built a ship when there was no rain – walking by faith is not easy
-    Moses & the 10 spies – the money is one of the giants. One chance at this – or 40 years in the desert!
-    Phil 4:19 God will meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus
-    Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers they will not sweep over you (Crossing the Jordan) Going in our own strength we will drown, but with God he will sort it out
-    More than a building project – its about where God wants to take us as a church. Called to step out in faith, taking the first step allows God to take us on a journey
-    God has called us to this – we don’t know all the details but we trust in you and seek you…
-    Beware the enemy’s attack – put on the full armour (Eph 6), and ask for wisdom (James 1)
-    Seek God wholeheartedly
-    We are not building on sand with straw but on solid rock
-    Picture of white water rafting – God as captain, we need to listen to his commands, and we all need to paddle!
-    Our ultimate goal is to be more like Jesus and to help others – remain focused on Christ-likeness
-    Is 41 “I will uphold you… I am the Lord your God… Do not fear.” For God to help us we must take the step of faith. God will hold our hands
-    Stepping out in faith is not stepping into the void, it is stepping into what God has told us to do
-    John 4:15 “…give me this water so I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water’” God wont remove the challenges but will change us on the inside and empower us to deal with problems from his perspective

As MBC moves into this new adventure, we recognise that any building project has the potential to drag us to an inward focus. Therefore we are seeking ways to deliberately look outward and keep Jesus and his mission as our primary focus.

Journey with us as we enter into this new phase

in our shared life as a church. We will

add reports along the way.

Read more - THE HISTORY OF THE PROCESS