|
of
Fishers, Indiana
 Since
its March 17, 2002 launch out of a storefront, many things have changed
at The Promise Church, one
of Indiana’s fastest growing United Methodist church starts. Since
December 19, 2004, the church has been in a new 23,000-square foot
facility. A multi-purpose sanctuary can seat up to 500. The building
also houses a child-care and pre-school wing, a state-of-the-art
audio/visual system and a breakfast bar. This project was built for less
than $2.5 million.
“Our five-year lease
was very expensive so we started searching for financing for a possible
new church building,” said John Hollinger, treasurer of The Promise
Church. “No banks or other conventional lending sources would talk to
us, because we did not have a three year track record. Thanks to the
United Methodist Development Fund and the IN U.M. Loan & Savings
Ministry, Inc., we received the needed funding. The UM Loan Fund was able to fill
our remaining needs.”
Indiana UM Loan Fund is
now serving all of Indiana. The Promise Church is the first church in
South Indiana Conference to receive a loan from the Loan Fund. “Our new
church building project could not have been completed without the
Indiana UM Loan Fund's help,” said Hollinger. “The Indiana UM Loan Fund
is allowing us to make draws as needed over the next two years.
Allowing The Promise Church to save approximately $25,000 in interest.
The Loan Fund interest rate is very competitive, so even if we could
have borrowed on the open market, the cost would have been as much, or
more.”
According to Hollinger,
attendance of more than 1,000 in less than 10
years is the church’s vision. A daycare or pre-school ministry could be
launched by the fall of 2006. A five acre outdoor sanctuary, complete
with many services and an amphitheater are planned for the campus. “This
outdoor area will be a community outreach effort, which could minister
to more than our indoor space. Of course we will use it for picnics and
outdoor worship,” said Hollinger. “We have already designed the future
area for a sanctuary and three-story education wing.”
“We have been called to specialize in inviting
previously un-churched and de-churched persons. This is the first
significant church experience for three out of four adults attending The
Promise Church. We encourage them to have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ,” says Pastor Rusty Allanson.
 Fishers
is one of the most rapidly expanding communities in the state. Within a
three-mile radius, The Promise Church has the potential to serve 35,000
people. Hollinger has witnessed peoples’ lives being changed and the
fire of the Holy Spirit being spread in the community. “That makes all
the searching for mortgage financing, construction meetings, and all the
other challenges worthwhile,” said Hollinger.
The Promise Church’s
name was inspired by 2 Timothy 1:1. “God himself chose me to be an
apostle, and he gave me the promised life that Jesus Christ makes
possible.”
For more details on the
Indiana UM Loan Fund and how it can assist your church, visit our
webpage at: iumlf.org or call 866.669.2327.
On the Web:
www.ThePromiseChurch.org
Read
more stories |
