6.26.2009

These ARE Exciting Times!

By now, you should have received your Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) brochure in the mail. We hope this gives you insight and explains clearly the goals of the enVision campaign. As Steve Crigger said, "These ARE exciting times at Twickenham!" If you have not received your FAQ, please call the church office to confirm your address so we can send you another brochure right away!

At this point in the campaign, there are some teams that have been busy for months and some teams that have not yet begun. I wanted to take a moment to let you know what's been happening "behind the scenes" so you are aware of the love and dedication that is being displayed within our church family. I honestly have to say, it has been a true honor and privilege to be leading the efforts of the Communications Team. I can't express enough the gratitude I have for the people who are using their amazing talents within our church.

Many people have been working diligently to complete the Devotional and Prayer Guides that will be distributed on July 19th. There were 40 different authors who produced a beautiful showcase of thoughts inspired by a deep passion for God. Countless hours have been investing in organizing the devotionals, proofing text, designing the cards, confirming scripture references, and tracking orders. Brochures and newsletters are being written, proofed, edited, proofed, and then re-proofed. Teams are being formed to assemble the Devotional and Communication Packets. Numerous people are involved in developing the campaign video, taking photographs, recording audio, writing letters, calling volunteers, attending meetings, mailing communication materials, and the list of tasks goes on and on.

I hope that through this campaign, we all begin to appreciate the many people and the God given talents that make Twickenham so amazing. I look forward to seeing YOUR talents used to glorify His name.

enVision What GOD Can Do!
~ Casey Green
Communications Team
Ephesians 3:20-21"Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

~ 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

6.08.2009

Hacienda of Hope News


Meet Anthony, the newest addition to the Hacienda of Hope family. Anthony just turned 5 years old. He has never known his father and his mother is a prostitute in the Amazon area. She left Anthony with his grandparents and aunt in Cayambe shortly after his birth. He was rejected by them, abused and was called very degrading names. The department of Social Services stepped in and removed him from care. He now has a loving home at the Hacienda of Hope. Despite the abuse and neglect of his past, Anthony is a loving child. In one of the group tests with Social Services Anthony won a prize of a bag of cookies. He proudly took the bag and went all around the room giving each child a cookie and keeping one for himself. We have witnessed prayers being answered through the Hacienda of Hope Ministries. It continues to be our prayer for each of the precious children that God has brought to us and for those he will bring in the future to both the school and the home.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." ~ Romans 15:13

6.05.2009

Capturing Our History

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." ~ 1 Corinthians 12:4-6


Mark Teague,

Thank you for capturing our history so beautifully. It is truly an honor to see the world through your eyes.

~ Casey Green & Larissa Chastain
Communications Team

6.02.2009

Power of Prayer


“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ~ Jeremiah 29:10-12

As we begin this journey, we should ask ourselves, “What is God calling us to do?” He is calling us to seek Him and His glory. What we ask according to His will, He has promised to give. Therefore, he makes it possible for each person to glorify Him. During this campaign, we will ask each member to participate in 40 days of prayer starting July 19th. As we prepare our hearts and our minds for this endeavor we need to . . .

1. Pray in unity as a family of believers.
2. Pray to the Almighty.
3. Pray in urgency as we envision what God can do.
4. Pray not our will but God’s will be done.
5. Pray not to escape from suffering but for empowerment during suffering.
6. Pray not for tasks equal to our powers or situation but for the powers equal to God’s tasks.
7. Pray not for the hand of man to work for God but for the hand of God to work in the life of this church.

To God be the glory forever and ever and ever!

15 Suggestions To Live by God's Calling

The suggestions below are not earth-shattering by themselves. However, when they are truly lived out in a person’s life, they can become an amazing testimony to living in accordance with God’s calling.
  1. Always remember that you are a steward of God's assets.

  2. Give to God first through your weekly contribution.

  3. Give to the government second by paying taxes.

  4. Give to yourself third by saving a portion of your earnings.

  5. Pray that God will bless you so that you can bless others.

  6. Remember that children learn from our behavior more than our words.

  7. Remember to fund your NEEDS, because if you're like most people, you will never have enough to fund your WANTS.

  8. Stop living on credit. It takes the joy out of living.

  9. Live on what YOU make, not what your neighbor makes.

  10. Keep good records so that you can learn from your mistakes and enjoy your successes.

  11. You will never make enough if you spend more than you make.

  12. Anyone can spend money but it takes someone special to save it.

  13. Don't give in to the temptation of materialism.

  14. Don't give in to the temptation of discouragement.

  15. A rich person is not the one who has the most but the one who needs the least.

Money Principles (Taken From The Bible)


Do you realize that the Bible talks in great detail about how to handle the blessings that God gives to each of us? Here are 18 biblical principles that we hope will guide you through this spiritual transformation. These scriptures are a wonderful resource for your daily bible study.

Principle #1: Give and you will receive more than you can imagine. (Luke 6:38)
Principle #2: Give in secret. (Matthew 6:1-4)
Principle #3: God blesses those who seek Him first. (Matthew 6:24-34 )
Principle #4: God loves a person who gives cheerfully. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9)
Principle #5: God provides so that you may be generous. (2 Corinthians 9:10-15)
Principle #6: Show mercy and love with those who are less fortunate. (Luke 10:30-37)
Principle #7: People are more important than things. (Acts 2:44-46)
Principle #8: We are to care for our brothers and sisters. (Acts 11:29-30)
Principle #9: God supplies us with generous gifts. (Acts 11:29-30)
Principle #10: Take pains to do what is right. (2 Corinthians 8:18-21)
Principle #11: Give according to what you have. (Luke 21:1-4)
Principle #12: Support the Lord’s ministry. (Luke 8:1-3)
Principle #13: Work hard so that you may give generously to others. (Ephesians 4:28)
Principle #14: Avoid debt. (Romans 13:8)
Principle #15: Life is so much more than possessions. (Luke 12:13-40)
Principle #16: Godliness and contentment increase in value. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
Principle #17: Do not have an evil eye for money. (Proverbs 28:22)
Principle #18: Invest the assets God has placed in our hands. (Matthew 25:14-30)

~ Dr. Eddie Thompson

Frequently Asked Questions


Is this only about raising money?
No. Our campaign will be a spiritual journey designed to increase our commitment to God and expand His kingdom both here and abroad.

What are we doing with the money raised in this campaign?
The funds raised in this campaign will accomplish three objectives. First, we will make some much needed improvements to our nearly thirty-year-old facility. These improvements include updating our worship center, bringing our children's area up to safety code, upgrading and repairing our mechanical systems, and renovating our children's playground. Also, with our benevolence ministry relocating to Lincoln Village, we will retrofit our Mercy Ministry building for our growing young adults' ministry. This will result in two additional classroom spaces for our Adult Bible Fellowships. These improvements will ensure that our facility remains functional and attractive for years to come.

Secondly, our campaign will support our growing ministry to the children at the Hacienda of Hope. In addition to the orphans housed at the Hacienda, the ministry in Ecuador has expanded to minister to more than 120 students attending the Hacienda of Hope School. These designated campaign funds will cover the operating expenses of the ministry for the next three years.

Finally, the balance of the monies raised will go toward paying down our existing note on the building. Decreasing our commitment to the bank will allow more of our weekly contributions to be used in support of local ministry, benevolence and other outreach efforts where we have been called to serve our Huntsville community.

How much money do we need?
Our goal is to raise $2.5 million over three years. This amount would allow us to cover the proposed renovations, honor our commitment to the Hacienda of Hope, and pay down our note by almost fifty percent. Any additional monies raised above our goal would go toward paying off our remaining debt.

Given the current downturn in the economy, is this the best time to embark on a renovation campaign?
By man's standards this would not be the time for such a venture. However, the Twickenham leadership feels called by the Spirit to take this step of faith and place these initiatives before the congregation. If God is leading this capital campaign in the midst of the storms around us, all the glory will go to Him when it is successful.

Why are we hiring consultants?
Because this approach is a new venture for Twickenham, we have requested the assistance of a group of fellow Christians based in Nashville that has managed projects much larger than ours. Partnering with such an experienced team gives us a great deal of confidence going forward.

How does the capital campaign work?
Twickenham members will be asked to give toward this campaign in addition to and above their regular weekly offering. The money will be given over a 36-month period. Members may give weekly, monthly, annually, or with a one-time gift.

Will I be expected to give?
While we certainly hope that everyone at Twickenham will be involved, participation is completely voluntary, and you will not be pressured in any way. Your participation and offerings will be confidential. We ask that you keep an open heart and mind to the Lord's leading and pray about your decision.

What if my financial situation changes?
We recognize that one's financial situation may change. If you are unable to meet your desired financial commitment, we certainly understand.

When will renovations begin?
Construction documents were completed by our architect in early May. We will now request quotes from multiple contractors and secure the necessary permits in anticipation of renovations beginning in September. We expect to complete these improvements in four to six months.