First Fruits Testimony - Kanani B. MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER This year in January we decided to give a First Fruits offering to God. It symbolized us giving God back the first and best of what He has given us. While we didn't have much money for the First Fruits offering, God took what little we had and graciously blessed our large family of 11 children. Our prayers were answered when my husband survived a devastating accident, and we not only received help from family and friends but we also received a check for $3,455 dollars for his time in recovery a month after our First Fruits offering. We also received a $10,000 dollar tax return which alleviated some of our debt. Then, when I was given an unexpected medical diagnosis, the results indicated benign findings. Again, God heard the prayers of many, and they were answered. In addition, as you can imagine, feeding our family is not easy as we spend about $700 each week on groceries, but that amount has been reduced with help from Bridgeway’s Community Cupboard. We are so thankful that our pantry is never empty. I have also been able to make a career change that greatly benefits my family. God heard me and answered my prayers. It was in His perfect timing, and I give Him all the praise and glory. 9 I am delighted to share a momentous achievement for our Columbia Campus: the complete payoff of our mortgage! This significant milestone is a testament to our congregation’s dedication to biblical stewardship and generosity. Furthermore, I want to reassure our congregation that our commitment to fiscal responsibility remains unwavering. Bridgeway is blessed to steward its resources like most religious institutions across the country. We devote 50% of your tithes and offerings to support our employee team and 30% sustains the finance and operational aspects of Bridgeway. This enables our team to empower and support ministry leaders and maintain our physical resources in model condition. While the employees and building fortify our ministry efforts, the remaining resources fuel our ministry's growth and impact in the community. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each donor for their consistent tithes and offerings which have been essential in our ability to reach our community, culture, and world for Christ. 3,073Individual Donors 733First-Time Donors $9min Income Bridgeway Community Church is thrilled to announce the remarkable achievement of paying off its mortgage in Columbia, Maryland, decades ahead of schedule. On February 23, 2024, at 12:19 pm, the church made its final payment, eliminating a 30-year mortgage in just 15 years. Under the leadership of Founding & Senior Pastor Dr. David Anderson and CFO Tim Samuel, CPA, Bridgeway implemented strategic financial initiatives that contributed to this significant milestone. Dr. Anderson, shared the news with the congregation during a Sunday morning service, underscoring the importance of responsible stewardship and faithdriven financial management. The church celebrated this milestone with a spirited "Paid Off Party" on April 7, 2024, where congregants gathered for a symbolic "mortgage shredding" ceremony. In attendance were key church leaders, including CFO Tim Samuel, who shared insights into the financial strategies that made this achievement possible. Tim highlighted the three pillars instrumental in the debt-free journey: strategic planning, efficient systems, and spiritual guidance. Looking ahead, Bridgeway Community Church is committed to achieving complete debt freedom by paying off the remaining balance on its Owings Mills/Reisterstown campus, purchased in 2017. In his sermon announcing this achievement, Dr. Anderson shared words of inspiration from Psalm 92 and declared that “Debt Free Is Your Destiny,” encouraging not just the congregation members, but all followers of Jesus Christ to embrace the debt-free future that God has planned for them. "Our commitment to financial stewardship aligns with God's promise of blessing," Dr. Anderson said. "Debt-free is not just a goal for our church; it's a destiny for all under our covering." Bridgeway Community Church looks forward to continuing its mission and serving the community with renewed focus and commitment. For more information about Bridgeway Community Church and its commitment to financial freedom, visit www.bridgeway.cc. "This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and generosity of our church community," remarked Dr. Anderson. "Paying off our mortgage early reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility and our mission to build bridges to our community." 10 15% 10% 10% 10% 55% I.T. Cupboard/ Benevolence Missions Worship Arts Events Ministry Resource Distribution 50% 30% 20% Operations Ministries Personnel Budget Resource Distribution $0 $2,000,000 $4,000,000 $6,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000 Debt 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
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