Here at Five Forks we continually marvel and give thanks to God for His goodness to us. Through the years He has provided all that we need in order to do the work He calls us to do. 2020 was filled with uncertainty in so many different areas, including the area of our church finances. From our vantage point today we see how incredibly blessed we have been in this area. There are three areas where we have significant funds on hand, and this is a good opportunity for us to share with you the latest information regarding these funds.
1. $84,620 (COVID-19 Funds)
Last spring at the onset of COVID, we were eligible and received a loan in the amount of $84,620 to help offset the impact of the pandemic. As every dollar from this loan was being used, we were setting back the same dollar amount in a special account so that the funds would be available if and when the loan needed to be repaid. We said from the start that if the loan did not need to be repaid, we would use these funds for benevolent purposes. We recently received word that the loan does not need to be repaid. Because of this, the Finance Committee is sending a recommendation to the Church Board that the $84,620 be used to support four of our benevolent ministries. The Church Board will then be responsible for deciding how to proportion these funds among the following:
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Deacon Fund
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Food Pantry
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Works Projects Ministry
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Disaster Relief Fund
2. $75,000 (2020 Excess Funds)
While contributions came in below projection in 2020, expenses did as well, in some areas quite significantly. Because of this, we ended 2020 with $75,000 in excess funds. The Finance Committee met on Tuesday evening, February 16th, and will disburse these funds in the following manner:
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$10,000 to Brethren in Christ Co-operative Ministries
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$7,500 for the purchase of $25 gift cards that will be given to employees of several nursing homes in this area. Most significantly, as was done before Christmas, the cards will be purchased from local restaurants so that the money will come back into the local community.
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$2,000 to Bethlehem Ministries
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$2,000 to REVIS ministry (Mozambique)
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$2,000 to Pregnancy Ministries
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$1,500 to the Biblical Education Center Director
Together these total $25,000. The Finance Committee decided that the remaining amount of $50,000 will be held back in the event that some ministries (The Deacon Board, Grounds & Maintenance, etc.) find themselves in need of additional operating funds in 2021. If these funds are not needed, they will be disbursed by the Finance Committee in February of 2022.
3. $75,000 (Special Donation)
Someone from our congregation has made a generous contribution in the amount of $75,000 that they have designated for several upgrades/purchases that include:
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The purchase of a church bus to replace our current one
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The purchase of playground equipment that will go in the back courtyard
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The construction of a Coffee Station in the Auditorium foyer