Priority Property Pledge Day People Prayer

Priority

1.To be clear about the main thing - Jesus ‘The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing’ 2.To be clear about our purpose ‘To be an open door through which people will meet with Jesus; join His community and so discover God's love for them, a love that compels them to grow as disciples; develop their ministries; and magnify His name.’ 3.To be clear on who’s leading – Jesus – ‘this room is too small’ – Sam Poe – God’s got a building for you – Paul Woodward – God promise of a ‘fresh adventure’

Property

Property no. 1

Snooker Hall Office/midweek use (Sunday overflow) Close location to Priory and town Ancient Mon/Listed 18 th Century Structural report indicates problems Leaking chimney, good for age, ongoing main. costs, extensive modification costs (heating/plumbing /elect.) No allocated parking Investment/re-sale value Estimated cost at least:£500,000 Continued Sunday hiring costs Planning – change of use required

Property no. 2

Warehouse on Barford Road

Warehouse Multi-purpose facility Space similar to Priory Centre and offices Good communications - Edge of town R & D facility – built early 90’s Good free parking Good investment/re-sale value Estimated cost at least:£500,000 Planning – change of use required

Why prefer edge of town location No similar size building/warehouse exists in TC If available costs would be in the millions Understanding social changes/Good road links Vision for Opendoor has never been limited to just St. Neots TC – Eynesbury, Little Paxton, Eatons, Camborne, Papworth, Buckden, Colmworth, Gt Gransden, Southoe, Perry etc – Most people travel by car to Opendoor church now – Venues are used right across the town – Still hire TC venues as needed Other churches all find the same, eg: Cambridge, Kings Arms, Milton Keynes, Peterborough etc

Multi-purpose facility Create a Community Centre – Most of what we already do can use this venue, eg: Youth, Kids, Baby Bumpkins etc – New project opportunities – Serve the community Training and discipling resource; – Leaders, Alpha’s, Freedom in Christ, Marriage, Parenting courses, etc Church events – Sundays, Prayer meetings, 20’s events, socials gatherings Resource base – Training, Regional events, conferencing, etc

So what’s next? Elders and Trustees are in full agreement that we proceed Assess limited modifications and costs Planning approval for change of use Raising the necessary finance – Loan applications & capital We are at the start of the journey No guarantees that we will be successful – positive so far Lot’s to pray about…

Pledge Day

Total cost:at least £500,000 Current Building fund:£100,000 (£67,000 from 2008 Pledge Day, plus £33,000 from reserve) Pledge Day: 1Increase of 10% regular giving (mortgage plus additional costs of running our own building) 2At least an additional £100,000 capital required

Pledge Day Pledge Day Pack – back of hall, details, Q & A, forms etc Sunday October 4 th Method 1 – Increase regular giving Method 2 – One-off Gifts - Which we will tithe (10%) Method 3 – Interest free loans (3-5 years)

People

Gavin and Fiona Bateman Esther Robinson

Prayer

Tonight – 7pm Guest Hall, Priory Centre New Warehouse – Pledge Day/Raising the necessary finance – Planning approval for change of use Gavin & Fiona and Esther Leaders, Small groups, Neighbourhood The coming term