Three years ago we had one of the most inspiring and encouraging experiences many of us have ever had in church: we committed to buying a building. Now, at one level that doesn’t seem very inspiring; after all, it’s just bricks and mortar! Surely we’re gospel people, aren’t we?

Yes, but the building was and is all about Jesus’ gospel. We decided to buy a building for four gospel reasons…

Firstly, a building will help us speak Jesus’ gospel to the people of Newcastle and Lake Mac. A building helps to anchor us in the community. It creates curiosity and interest… “Who are these people that meet here each Sunday?” A building helps us to build relationships for Jesus.

Secondly, a building will help us love people and teach them the gospel more effectively. Imagine a site with safe, clean, secure kids’ rooms. Imagine an auditorium with comfortable seats, good lighting and sound that everyone can hear. Imagine a venue that non-Christians walk into and feel at home with us. We’re hoping for a home that serves people so that they can hear Jesus’ gospel and grow to love him as we do.

A building will also help our children and grandchildren to preach the gospel. Christians never think only of their own generation. We want the generations after us to continue calling Newy and Lake Mac to come to Jesus. The building will give them a place to do it from. We’re making a hundred-year gospel investment!

This leads to the last point. Our culture is becoming increasingly hostile to Jesus’ gospel and Jesus’ people. This reminds us that our true home will always be in Heaven. But for the sake of the gospel, we need a home that we can rely on here in Newcastle.

In 2017, we set these four reasons before our church family and everyone responded with amazing gospel generosity. Some people gave out of savings, some even re-mortgaged their homes! We raised $1.85 million (a figure which has now grown to $2.5 million). Our first building campaign was truly one of the most encouraging and inspiring experiences many of us have ever had in church… because it was all about Jesus’ gospel.

What we didn’t know then is just how generous God would be to us. We didn’t know he’d give us a site that wasn’t just functional but also beautifully tree-lined. We didn’t know he’d give us three acres! We didn’t know that God would give us a home for everyone in our church, within reach of all of Newy and Lake Mac. God has answered prayers we weren’t even brave enough to pray!

Now we stand on the edge of owning this building. This is another key moment for our church. In 2017, it was an ideal, a hope, a dream for the future. Now the building is a reality before us. If we all invest sacrificially now, we can not just move in, but make a great site even better for the gospel. We can make it a home that works for everyone.

We also have the chance to give to Jesus’ gospel again. Remember Big Sunday 2017? I’m praying that our sense of joy, conviction, unity and thankfulness will be even greater this time around as we see our God at work in us. I can’t wait!

I want to urge you to grab this moment by investing as sacrificially as you can. Sacrifice will differ for each of us, but please give with real gospel generosity. Pray that God will surprise you with how much he enables you to give!

Grab this opportunity and help to build Hunter Bible Church’s home for everyone.

Greg Lee - Senior Pastor