Frequently Asked Questions about the Building Campaign

Q: Why the urgency to build now?

A: Two reasons. First, our current facilities are more than full with just our current members, and we will start losing members and guests if we don’t have more space. Second, now is an excellent time to build. Due to the collapse of the home building market, many subcontractors are seeking work at or below cost. Interest rates for quality commercial construction projects are at historic lows. If we can raise money now and start construction this summer while the weather is still good, the project can be complete by Easter 2009. God is closing many doors to many people right now, but He is opening a door for us.

Q: Can we afford it?

A: We constantly hear about how our schools needs more money for growth and about how our city needs more money for growth. Now our church needs money too? Where does it all end? What does it all mean? How can we pay for all of this? Here is what I have learned from being a member of VBC - I don’t have the answers for the stress life brings, but God does. Many of you have been given many talents that we don’t have, but we have a talent for careful and analytical analysis of facts and numbers. After careful counting of the cost, the leadership of this church humbly requests the congregation undertake this building campaign to raise money for construction of an addition to our church. Through this current funding campaign, God will reveal whether or not Violet Baptist Church can afford this project. We serve a great God who expects great things in return.

Q: How much will the building cost?

A: The total project cost will approximate $3.0 million. This addition will: (1) expand the worship, welcome, fellowship, children, teen and discipleship areas of our church, (2) allow VBC to continue to build bridges to this expanding community, and (3) fully utilize all the site we have been blessed with.

Q: How much do we need to raise?

A: Since the end of the last building project, VBC members have contributed nearly $400,000 towards this future building project. The remaining $2.6 million will be paid through current and future membership pledges, tithes and offerings. Whatever we can raise in pledges during this capital campaign will be used to pay back short term debt over the next 3 years. The remaining balance will be financed using long term debt, and be supported by current and future membership over the life of the project. However, based on the amount of long term debt we can support with our current membership, we must raise at least $1.0 million in additional pledges to proceed with this project at this time. The remaining debt would be retired over the next 10-15 years. However, if we can raise as much as $2.0 million in additional pledges, it is likely we will have this addition completely paid off in as little as 5 years. The more money we can raise through this pledge campaign, the more we can be certain that we can continue to serve our community, hire additional staff, and support our members and programs.