GIVE
We don’t primarily give to simply keep ministry going or even to expand ministry (though those are certainly both blessings of your gifts).
Primarily, we give to glorify God. We consider what God has gifted to us to manage (aka: he’s given us everything we have), and we offer a portion of what he has given us back to him. Giving an offering is one of our ways of regifting what God has given to us.
You can do just that by mailing a check, or by giving through Church Center.
Church Center Giving only charges $0.25 for each offering given through a bank account (there is more of a fee for any offerings given through debit or credit cards). To set up your online giving through Church Center, go HERE. You can also give by simply texting the amount you'd like to give to 84321.
Thank you!
WE’VE PURCHASED & RENOVATED 1689 Springsteen Road—read a bit about the origins below!
Let's Renovate the Ministry Center!
Hey there—you—don’t miss this: Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” And this whole ministry-center-buying-renovating thing is a phenomenal example of that. We’re purchasing and renovating the property at 1689 Springsteen Road, Rock Hill (and we’re quite excited about it!) It’s going to be a fantastic place that serves as a center from which to launch out in love and service to our community.
And let's do it efficiently, so we can focus on other stuff.
The Lord's tiniest project
It seems like a big thing to do - purchasing a building and also trying to renovate the thing, with plans that would really make each space very, very useful but would also run up a large tab. And to do all of this with a church our size…seems like a big thing!
But let's put it into perspective. Let's compare it to the things God is already doing in Rock Hill and in Illumine. Which is a bigger challenge - transforming hearts, OR buying a building? Which is a more significant project - helping people see that the love of Jesus changes everything in their lives because they no longer have to earn God's favor OR making rooms better?
This community, Illumine Church, must have a much bigger picture of ministry and goals for God in Rock Hill than this building. This is tiny. Connecting people to God and his love and his role in their lives is such a massive project that this Ministry Center becomes something small - not insignificant, but small. God, through us, by the power of his Word and through his unconditional grace, is already doing things that are bigger than you and I can understand. In his vision for the people of Rock Hill, this project is not big, not overwhelming, and not even the goal. It's a stepping stone and a means to an end.
To that end, I, as the pastor at Illumine, would ask each of you who reads or hears this to focus on the fact that God and the church he makes and the work he does is something that happens in hearts and lives, not in wood and steel. Acknowledge and celebrate the fact that God does not need (but is able to use) this building for his purposes. And pray. Pray boldly, for your friends and families and neighbors who don't know God. Pray for them by name, as often as you can, and work to enlighten them to everything God has done. You are the church. If God wants to provide a Center from which you can carry the message of Jesus and his love to the world, so be it.
God,
Use people who read this to bring you glory by sharing you with the people around them through caring, compassionate, and Gospel-focused relationships. Bring them closer to you as they study your Word and as they pray. Bind them together as a group of people who encourage each other and spur each other on to be genuine. If it is your will, grant them an excellent space where they can gather and be equipped to go out and be your ambassadors to their communities. You are a great God, and we are your people. Lead us by opening doors and send us the Spirit to give us wisdom to go through them.
The Basic idea
In many ways, this building can serve as an ideal headquarters for the Worship, Education, and Community Service work that Illumine offers to help people be disciples of Jesus. It is a flexible space, allowing it to serve in many different ways. It is well-suited to be a center for a growing and thriving community - and I'm not just talking about the community that is Illumine Church. The city of Rock Hill is coming into its own in many ways, revitalizing downtown and gaining great new restaurants, schools, and neighborhoods. The people here need places to meet, and this building can be that place. Better than a coffee shop (though there are several close by) more versatile than a library (though still a place for learning) and larger and way less expensive than a reception hall, (plus, we've got the gospel motivating all the people that the community will meet when they come here!!!) this building is a great opportunity for Illumine to truly be a "community church."