One of the major problems facing church planters in Utah is getting the people in a building. It is often difficult to find a suitable place to meet and many of the churches in Utah are renting and have for years struggled to acquire a building. It clearly would be a great advantage to begin this work with a nice building.
First, by beginning with a building the money that would otherwise be spent on rent could go toward the property. Some works in Utah are paying up to $1700.00 a month to rent a building and have had to spend a lot of money on renovations to use the building for church services. Having to pay high rent makes it difficult for the church to save money toward purchasing property and constructing a building.
Second, having a nice building removes the obstacle and stigma of people being reluctant to attend a church that is meeting in a temporary location. I can't tell you how many times when witnessing and talking to someone about Christ they ask the question "Where is your church?" Often you see suspicion in their faces when you tell them you are meeting in a rented building or store front. Many times the rented facilities are inadequate for Sunday School classes and nursery. When using rented facilites that are used during the week for other purposes, chairs, speaker stands, etc have to be set up each Sunday morning and portable signs set on side walks outside the building.
In Utah the LDS Church builds a large expensive building in all new housing developments even before the houses are sold. What a wonderful testimony it would be for us Bible believing Baptists to do a similar thing here especially at a time when the LDS church just announced it is building a temple in Brigham City.
Many of you have been earnestly praying with us that the Lord would open doors and make His will clear to us as to our next place of service. The Lord has shown us a great opportunity to establish a work in an area in Utah without a sound Bible believing Christ honoring church. Twenty miles south of Tremonton is the town of Brigham City (18,709), Perry, (3,889) Willard (1,747), and Corrine (647). We would like to share with you this opportunity, and seek your prayers and help.
We believe the Lord has directed us to property in Perry, Utah which is 2.5 miles south of the main stop light in Brigham City on Highway 89. The lot is 1.07 acres and has a 1700 sq. ft. modular building. The location is ideal for a church as it is a corner lot and has over 264 feet of frontage on the major highway into Brigham City and is zoned commercial. The property has been vacant for several years. The building can seat 35-40 people and can be expanded in the future. There are three other rooms that can be used for classrooms and also two bathrooms. Amazingly the property was listed for $150,000 that is about 30% less than its value. We have a signed contract with the owner to purchase the property for $132,000.00 with the owner paying closing costs. It will require some renovations, but everyone we have shown the property states it is a perfect location, at a bargain price and has great potential.
We have been here only a month and do not yet have a congregation nor the funds to purchase the property, but we are trusting the Lord to save souls as we evangelize the area. We have already begun our outreach and will begin canvassing soon with the help of two northern Utah churches. We have several contacts in the area and one person committed to attend. There is certainly a real need to preach the Gospel in this Mormon community. There is not a sound biblical church between Tremonton and Ogden, a distance of forty miles. Carolyn and I are committed to establishing this church and part of our commitment is to live in our travel trailer to keep our expenses low until we can get the church started and on its feet.
I think you can see that this is a great step of faith. Missionary William Carey said, "Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God." Over the past twenty three years we have lived by this principle and in faith trusting the Lord. Often the circumstances seemed impossible, but we went forward believing and trusting in God's provision for His work. The Lord has honored ours and the faith of many others and the Lord has established three sound Baptist churches here in the Mormon heartland. Over and over the Lord has done marvelous things that seemed humanly impossible. Once again we step out by faith and ask that you pray with us about meeting the need for a Gospel preaching church in this area.
We will need funds to purchase the property and we are asking that if the Lord would lead you to be a part of this new work would you consider helping us with any amount. Time is important because we are scheduled to close December 18th. Many new housing developments are being built and they sell out as fast as they are completed. Proctor and Gamble is in the final stages of building a huge plant here which will bring many new jobs to the area. The state has plans to extend rail service to Brigham City which is fifty miles from the heart of Salt Lake making this a perfect bedroom community. God's timing is always perfect and each of the works that the Lord has lead us to establish in Utah, the area later has grown.
We believe that this is the Lord's will, and others will see the vision and help us acquire the property and establish a Gospel preaching church centrally located in Perry. We are praying that in the next 45 days the Lord will provide the monies needed. A special account will be set up through Calvary Baptist Church, King, NC which is our sending church and mission board to receive, account for, and supervise the funds. Carolyn and I will sign the note if we have to make a loan. However, the deed to the property will be made out to Perry Baptist Church. The church will be incorporated as soon as the property is acquired.
If the Lord leads you to be a part of this new work would you call or write me with your commitment. We will need the funds around the first week in December. For pictures of the property and more information I have posted a web page at http:\\bible-truth.org/perryproperty.html.
If you have any question please call me at 435 452-1716 or e-mailed me. Please feel free to call my pastor and mission board director, Kevin Broyhill, Calvary Baptist Church, King, NC 27021 - 336 983-3728. Also you may call Pastor Chuck Beickel, Faith Baptist Church, Layton, Utah 801 771-4652 who has visited the property and is familiar with the need.
Once again we thank you for your faithful prayers and support and for us letting the Lord use you in being a part of beginning a new Gospel preaching church in this needy area.
I will also post regular updates on the progress of this work at http://bible-truth.org/perryprogess.html .
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." (Psalms 37:4-5)
