At Church Growth Trust (CGT) we often see people repaying a kindness they have received with a good deed to someone else. Particularly those choosing to invest in the future of a property and the church that may occupy that building, enabling the Gospel work to continue in that area.
We see the ripple effects of this generosity, not only when church properties are gifted to CGT, but also when the trustees of the property make a gift of funds as well. This is usually when they have a general “building fund” or where they have saved specifically for a particular project, such as an extension or a new roof. The trustees make the additional gift on a restricted basis requiring CGT to only use the funds for the property or the particular project.
One example of this is Roe Green Hall at Kingsbury, North London, where the trustees had funds for an extension to the building. The planning permission for the extension had expired and CGT took the opportunity to review the plans. The result was a very different extension, which we felt was much more useful for the occupying church, improving the appearance of the building. Without the gifted funds, we would not have been able to extend the building.
Another example is at Liss in Hampshire, where the church had been saving for a new roof. The building had been owned by CGT for many years, but when the existing fellowship gave up their use, they were happy to pass on the funds for the reroofing project. The new church were then able to proceed with the work and along with other alterations, make the building suitable for their use.
Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive comments, “When we are given property, there are often works required to bring it into good repair, make it compliant with legislation or more suitable for modern church use. This can be anything from fitting an accessible WC to removing asbestos. Having funds to put towards this work is so helpful and a real blessing, not only to Church Growth Trust but also to the new church that will be continuing the Gospel work. I am so impressed with churches and trustees that are willing to give generously to ensure that the Kingdom continues to be extended in their locality. This is a real example of Kingdom values, as they pay forward and sow into the new ministry.”
