 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Florida Megachurch Raises Most Money Ever
Orginally published on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 5:00 AM
by Todd Rhoades
Partnering with RSI Church Stewardship Group, Calvary Chapel in Ft. Lauderdale has received pledges totaling $105 million, believed to be the largest amount ever raised by a U.S. church. The Calvary Chapel campaign pledge total is also the largest amount ever raised by an RSI client. Chicago’s Willow Creek Church, another RSI client, raised more than $80 million in the 2000 Chapter 2 campaign…
RSI is one of the nation’s leading capital campaign consultants to Christian churches. In its 34-year history, the Dallas-based company has worked withmore than 7,000 churches to raise $8 billion.
The Calvary Chapel campaign pledge total is also the largest amount everraised by an RSI client. Chicago’s Willow Creek Church, another RSI client,raised more than $80 million in the 2000 Chapter 2 campaign.
Prior to Calvary Chapel’s accomplishment, the largest amount raised by alocal church is believed to be $84.8 million dollars.
Calvary Chapel, one of the largest churches in South Florida, began itscampaign in June 2005, with a goal of $80 million to expand its facilities.The church currently offers worship services that attract 20,000 weekly tothree locations.
While it is not unusual for RSI clients to exceed their goals, Calvary
Chapel was extraordinarily successful for several reasons.
“RSI has a long tradition of working side by side with churches with greatneeds and compelling missions,” said Doug Turner, president of RSI ChurchStewardship Group. “We are thrilled with the $105 million response at
Calvary Chapel, but we are even more thrilled with the energy and excitementof the congregation to move into the future God has for them. It is obviousthat God’s fingerprints are all over this experience.”
“We could not have raised this amount without the help of RSI,” said Bob
Coy, pastor of Calvary Chapel. “They guided us through each step of theprocess and showed us how to be successful.”
RSI Church Stewardship Group (http://www.rsichurch.viscern.com) was founded 34
years ago to meet the fundraising needs of Christian organizations.
SOURCE: Church Executive Magazine
UPDATE: It has been learned that Joel Osteen and Lakewood church recently partnered with INJOY Stewardship Services in September of 2004 for the renovation of the Compaq Center which is now Lakewood Church, America’s largest church. Their pledges at that time were $60m. At the end of year two they had passed the $80m mark. They are on track to pass the $100m in dollars received in September of 2007 which is the conclusion of the 3 year campaign partnership.”
This post has been viewed 2326 times so far.
There are 6 Comments:
Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
MondayMorningInsight.com | PO Box 446 | Bryan, OH 43506 |
-
Posted by Leonard
Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 7:49 AM
-
Posted by
Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 9:55 AM
-
Posted by
Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 10:13 AM
-
Posted by
Monday, December 11, 2006 at 8:43 AM
-
Posted by
Monday, December 11, 2006 at 10:04 AM
-
Posted by Laptoper
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 1:56 AM
Post Your Comments:One church I was involved with raised several million but earmarked half to be given away to church planting and other mission type ministries. How awesome is that!
Great job people of CC Ft Lauderdale.
One local church where I live just finished a campaign raising a few million. From it the church in turn pledged 10% to a local charity (our YFC chapter, dedicated it for some much needed work on our run down building) AND 10% to an African mission.
When we (YFC) began to get bids for the work, God began multiplying the gift. In the end, nearly all of the work was donated and the church kept their commitment, believing that God must have intended all along that their donation go directly to ministry. It will pay the salary for a new staff member who can open ministry on several inner-city campuses.
A side benefit of this miraculous partnership is that it raised the awareness of our ministry. Since the donation of $$, several people have begun volunteering with us and a men’s group comes to our offices and prays every Friday morning.
Is it usual for churches to “tithe” a portion of their capital campaign in the way Leonard and I have described? If so, imagine the ministry which is going to be blessed through the Ft Lauderdale campaign.
Wendi
Chuck Smith must be close to a heart attack as his lifelong motto is “where God guides God provides.” I know he is against pledges and he must be very sad.
“It is obvious that God’s fingerprints are all over this experience.”
Why? Because it was successful? Is that the measurement of God’s fingerprints being on something?
Having been in a church with corrupt leadership (amazing, how at all of the building efforts, the pastor’s home got an addition or his kids suddenly had brand new homes, paid off and all) - and his repeated comments on the fund raising was “God’s fingerprints are on this” right after he mentioned the new pledge figures. Perhaps it is the assumption on God’s blessing due to monetary success that just doesn’t sit right with me, after all, look at the success the Mormons and JWs have…
Jon Flanagan
You wrote that Chuck Smith must be sad over the money CC Ft. Lauderdale raise and that is NOT true. Yes, he still believes where God guides He provides and he sees this as God’s provisions.
At our last pastor’s conference, Pastor Chuck asked Bob Coy in front of everyone whether it was true that they raise 105 million dollars, and he said yes, and everyone cheered including Pastor chuck. Just giving you some inside information.
tony clark
I want to raise money too!
Page 1 of 1 pages