Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of the father. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:1
People have been asking me about the building project. Recently we set out to raise the additional $3 million we were not able to raise when we first started the project. The history is—our first goal was $10 million and we raised $7 million in cash and pledges. At that time, we attempted to scale back the project to $7 million. But when the final push came, with all the road and site work, along with everything else required by approving agencies, we would not be able to complete the permitted work for less than $10 million. Our consultants at John Maxwell’s, Injoy Financial Services, warned us that a protracted project like this would be tough and we could anticipate expenses rising.
At every point I have said “If you cannot give that is not a problem because I would much rather have your lifelong friendship than a building!” If you know anything about me and my heart, as well as all that I have been through, then you know that I say this with absolute sincerity before God. The fact is—we have a challenge that we must meet. God has laid before us a project to complete. It is amazing how far we have come over the past few years. Thinking back to that day when our Tiny Little Church Pastors unanimously voted to go ahead and raise $10 million to build the ReCreation center and what prompted them to make that bold decision, reminds me that we need to move ahead. We have promises to keep to future generations, our community and to ourselves on behalf of a loving and caring God. (Not to mention a $10 million loan to repay.)
Well, now you can understand why I was on my knees thanking God that we received $1.4 million in pledges and gifts during our campaign prior to Easter. That is a huge sum from a church family that joyfully gives as much as we can to make this world a better place—and to build the greatest caring network that the world has ever seen.
Our highly qualified finance team is working on plans to somehow complete the project by September even with the funding shortfall. In the meantime, we know God is working because yesterday, a family came by with a check for $400,000. Understanding this represented a sacrificial gift of a lifetime, supplied by a miracle in their lives, I was moved to spontaneously hug them. We all rejoiced that God had provided another miracle knowing He would continue to provide.
Meanwhile, God continues to work in this church. New people are coming every week. Last week we had a baptism at the Esperanza Service. A young father saw his wife and teenage son being baptized in the cold waterfall while the snow was falling. Suddenly, he jumped in—shirt, tie and all! As he stood there shivering, Pastor Ricardo explained what it means to give your life to Christ, and the father nodded his head with tears of joy and a trembling spirit. Afterwards, this dad, who is new to the church, told me that he had not intended to give his life to Christ yet. But he said, “I was overwhelmed by the Spirit of God and I found myself jumping in, shoes, dress slacks, shirt, tie and all!” I have to tell you, this was the first time I have ever seen this at Washington Cathedral.
Since we are a servant church, we’ve sent our two Lead Pastors, Rey & Elise Diaz, to one of the world’s most hurting places, the Tegucigalpa City Dump in Honduras. I received an email from them yesterday. They are going through a drought and have been out of water for three days. Two days before, there was a riot in their neighborhood, protesting poverty and shortage of food and unfortunately, one student was killed. Rey and Elise wanted to assure us that they were safe even though, the US Embassy had warned US citizens to stay in their homes during the riots. They are witnessing unthinkable stories of people starving in the dump. But because of the financial support of Washington Cathedral, the kids at the AFE School have food to eat. They are making plans for us to build green houses and help create some farms near this community. Rey met with the man who owned the property next to the dump and after talking to him, the man promised to donate his land in order to build 100 homes for the people in the dump. The property owner’s teenage daughter accepted Christ when their family joined Rey to see the living conditions in the dump.
My friends, we have a lot to do! Sure, there are some who are highly critical of me and what our church is doing—that’s all part of being on the cutting edge of making change take place. I love the passage in 1 Samuel where all the people of Israel are hiding in caves and the conquering army of the Philistines is mocking God. Prince Jonathan basically told his armor bearer, “If you watch my back the two of us will take on that whole army!” And they did! I am asking for my friends to watch my back.
Yes, I believe that God is calling us to complete this community center that will be instrumental in pulling our community together and reaching many people. We will be using the entire building to the glory of God. Yes, I am asking for God to make even more financial miracles happen in the lives of our church families. And every age group will be touched by the hundreds of ministries that will go on for generations because of this building and the progress it represents.
Your friend for the rest of my life,
Tim White
