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October 2007 Newsletter

Meet Our Stuart Road Development Site Partners

MG&A
OUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT PARTNERS

First Baptist has chosen Birmingham based Myrick, Gurosky & Associates, Inc. (MG&A) as partners in our relocation to the Stuart Road property. MG&A provides a total solution approach to design, development and construction of church facilities across the Southeastern United States. Founded in 1993 by Wayne Myrick, MG&A offers decades of commercial design and construction experience to First Baptist. Our Master Plan, available now for viewing, is developed through an analysis of existing ministries and the vision of our church leadership for future ministries. MG&A promotes a design process in which ministries determine space needs and creates the master plan to provide optimum flexibility for future ministry expansion. MG&A’s responsibilities include architectural oversight; construction, from site development to installation of furniture and fixtures; and budget control throughout the process. To learn more about our Project Management partner visit their website at www.mgandassociates.com.

Who is LDDI? Nashville Architects offer National Portfolio to First Baptist Church. Our architectural firm is Lyman, Davidson, Dooley, Inc. with offices in Atlanta, Nashville and Tampa. Our project manager MG&A has previously worked with the firm on a number of ventures. Nashville based Thomas Dooley will serve as the team leader for First Baptist. He brings a wide range of experience and has earned numerous architectural design awards. Dooley and the firm are responsible for a number of worship related projects throughout Tennessee. Among those many of you may have experienced are the Rutland Chapel at Ridgecrest and the Carson Springs Conference Center in Newport, Tennessee. The firm is not limited to church related design with a diverse portfolio of projects across the country available for viewing on their website at www.lddi-architects.com Meet the Gage Group BASED OUT OF DALLAS, TEXAS The Gage Group is helping us coordinate our capital stewardship emphasis and have been of incredible assistance in this process. Based out of Dallas, Texas they are considered by many pastors and church leaders as the premier stewardship company in America. They have a three element approach beginning with inspiration in regard to helping our church family catch a picture of the overall local and global vision of our church. Communicating information about the project’s scope leads to enhanced involvement within the congregation. Here is what a few pastors have said about the Gage Group: “Accessible, innovative and excellent in the field of biblical concepts.” “The first capital campaign I’ve ever truly enjoyed.” “Greatly influenced our church to do big things for God.” We are so grateful to have this level of spiritual assistance in this aspect of our relocation. Check out their website at www.thegagegroup.com Frequently Asked Questions? During the October 21st Sunday evening service Brother Allan addressed some frequently asked questions in regard to our relocation. Audio answers in greater detail are available on a CD and they can be obtained from our Media Ministry office - media@clevelandfbc.com Are we moving and building because other churches have moved or are moving into new facilities? No, we are not. We are thankful that other churches are experiencing growing pains and like them we are attempting to meet the needs of our people and people we desire to reach. And we desire to do that “in the most fertile soil” of our community. Could this money be better spent for other ministries or missions? Every single staff member and lay leader of this church desires to see ministry and missions increase. We believe that in the long run a healthy, vibrant, and growing local church base will more readily enhance our ability, both now and in the future, to minister and touch the world with the saving message of Jesus Christ. Why don’t we start with the main sanctuary instead of a “transitional one”? At this point, we have no way of knowing what we will need. We don’t want to build too large nor do we want to limit ourselves by building too small. This will also give us time to have a better understanding of what we will need in the future and provide multi-functional space for the present. How much property do we have downtown and what is the current value of our property and facilities? We own approximately 6.5 acres downtown. We have had an independent certified appraisal of the property and facilities, but feel it is not wise to release that information in light of future sale negotiations. Do we have any interested buyers? There have been inquiries; please pray that God will bring about that sale in His time. Why are we doing this, why do we need to move? To position our church for the future. This is not about us, but about the generations that will follow. Every generation has the responsibility to sow seeds of grace and hope for future generations. Others have sewn for us, now it is our opportunity to sow for those who will come after us. What is the timing? Break ground in March or April of 2008. It is estimated the project will be ready for occupancy approximately 18 months later, which could be as early as Christmas, 2009. How much will it cost and how will we pay for the project? Our best understanding at this time is Phase 1 will cost approximately $21,000,000. We have a three point plan to pay for the project. 1. A Capital Stewardship emphasis to begin the first part of next year. 2. Disposition of the downtown property. 3. Borrow the balance needed to complete the project. Is this the right time to move? If not now, when? Timing is not so much a matter of economics as it is God’s timing. God seems to be providing open doors in many arenas. (Brother Allan’s message on December 9th also addressed this issue to some extent. Copies are available by calling or emailing the church office.) Will we keep a presence downtown or any of our downtown property? At this time we do not know. There has been some discussion about maintaining a base downtown, perhaps our Manna Ministry or some other aspect of Community Ministries. We know we desire to continue to impact the Lee University students no matter where we are. Please continue to pray about this issue. Should we raise the money before we build? It’s a nice idea and sounds good. But practically speaking, waiting would significantly impact the final cost as the cost of building materials and labor increases. We are praying and believing we will raise a significant portion of the money over the course of the next three years.