WHAT IS IT?

PLANTING THE FLAG is a campaign by which NorthRidge Fellowship intends, God willing, to raise the money necessary to purchase a parcel of land on which to build a future church home.

WHY WE ARE DOING IT?

1.   WE BELIEVE GOD IS LEADING US to establish a permanent physical presence in our community.  God is leading, we need to start walking.

2.   IT IS TIME TO PLANT THE FLAG.  A permanent facility communicates our commitment to this area.  It tells our community that we are here for the duration.  They can count on us.  The community needs to know they can take us seriously.

3.   ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT PHYSICAL PRESENCE in the community is consistent with our family portrait (who we are).  It is an important tool in fulfilling our stated mission to become a community.  During the time we were renting the city building we found it enhanced our relational connections.  The hurry to pack up and be out of the rented school building seriously limits our ability to build relationships with visitors, new attendees and those in the church family.

4.   WE CAN PROVIDE MINISTRY TO A GREATER BREADTH AND DEPTH in a permanent building.  There are many ministry and outreach opportunities available with a building that we cannot do now.

5.   THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS NOT OPTIMAL as a facility for the ministry we are currently doing or for the ministry we would like to do long term.

WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH THROUGH IT?

The outcomes listed below are what we are praying will occur as a result of this campaign.  Relying on the power and sovereignty of God, we intend to:

1.   RAISE FUNDS to buy land to create a permanent presence in our community

"See, I have given you this land.  Go in and take possession..." Deuteronomy 1:8

2.   GROW IN SPIRITUAL MATURITY

"Just as you excel in everything else - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in earnestness, and in love - see that you also excel in the grace of giving."  2 Cor. 8:7

3.   DEVELOP THE FELLOWSHIP & UNITY within NorthRidge

"Encourage one another and build each other up..."  1 Thess. 5:11

"...they fellowshipped from house to house..."  Acts 4:46

4.   CELEBRATE TOGETHER in worship and thanksgiving

"Celebrate the Harvest Festival... by bringing a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing God has given you.  Be joyful in the Lord's presence with your family..."  Deut. 16:10-11 (GN)

Pastor Ben's "Planting the Flag" sermons may be listened to on this website by clicking Teaching: Sermon MP3s and selecting sermons from April 20th through May 25th.