Some of you may be wondering, what is a “start-up” fund?  A start-up fund simply allows us to cover the expenses that go along with starting a church.  Often there are around $15,000 to $20,000 that go along with starting a church.

Over the next several months, we are going to ask for specific help with items on our start-up list.  For example, we need help with purchasing a portable piano, hymnals, church signs, and several other things.  

If you are interested in helping us purchase something off of our list, please correspond with us.  We have particular things we are looking for with each item.  We know there are several churches and individuals out there that don’t have the funds to be a regular supporter over several years, but they do have the funds for a one-time gift.

The prices are an estimate of what will be needed.  If an actual purchase is made with the features needed for less than the amount listed, we would be thrilled.
 

The Phone's 4 You Program - $6,000
An explanation of this program can be found at www.ipresson.com/phonesforyou.php.  This is probably the most important tool for a church planter who is planting in a suburban area.  It reaches 30,000 people with the news of the new church in a four week period, and it usually produces at least 50 people from the community on the first service of the church.  

Literature (Door Hangers, Church Brochure, etc) - $4,000
This is almost as important as the Phone's 4 You program.  Often there are seveal thousand homes that get a door hanger, a piece of mail, or a brochure before a church starts, depending on the number of teams that come to help with this.  Better yet, sometimes some homes who received a call from the Phone's 4 You program also get a door hanger on their door.  And best of all, some homes get a phone call, a door hanger, and a piece of mail.  Truly one of the most important things a church planter and his teams can do is to get the word out.   
 

Church Signs - $2,000
After all the work is done to get the word out, we must make sure our church is visible and easy to find.  There are several types of signs that we need to buy to make sure this is possible.
 

Church Website and Social Media - $0
Pastor Nathan has a business that takes care of people's technology needs (www.NatesTechnology.com).  The business primarily helps churches and ministries with free solutions.  The costs of doing business are covered by a few for-profit businesses that pay full price.  We provide this explanation so that folks understand that this need is already taken care of.
 

Piano and Music Equipment - $2,000 PURCHASED
We need a 88-key piano with weighted keys that is portable along with the stand and equipment needed to make it work with the church setup.
 

Hymnals - $1,000
Hymnals are an important part of our church worship service.  Often the hymanls a church starts with serve them for the next ten to twenty years.
 

Sound System - $3,000  PURCHASED
Naturally, a good sound system is crucial to the success of the church.  We have talked with other church planters who did not have a good sound system initially, and it was a great distraction from their church services.  We are looking for somthing that is very portable, with good sound, and supports several accessories.
 

Moving Expenses - $4,000
We will be moving accross the country.  Since we are starting a church, we aren't able to depend on the regular income of the church.  Our mission-supported monthly budget doesn't account for the expense to move accross the country and setup a household ready for ministry.  Our mission board provides some of our moving expenses, and this amount will allow us to comfortably cover the rest.