The California Southern Baptist Convention is remodeling its Ministry Resource Center in Fresno. Volunteers are needed to assist, including skilled and unskilled laborers. Please visit the CSBC website at www.csbc.com, and click on the "MRC Remodel" button on the left side. Those without internet access can call 559-256-0810.
Why Volunteers Are Needed:
The estimated labor cost for the remodel has changed. Lead has been found in the floor-tile cement and asbestos in the tape and mud on the sheetrock in the interior walls. This problem is now being taken care of by a certified hazardous removal company, but it forces a new estimate of labor cost for the remodel.
If the convention has to borrow money to finish the job, the new loan expanse for labor would be:
$325,000 at 8% for 10 years = $421,000 actual cost,
$250,000 at same rate = $313,000,
$150,000 at same rate = $191,000.
No mission money or Cooperative Progam money has been or needs to be spent to complete this project. The CSBC could borrow the money to finish the job but that would have to come from projected income over the next 10 years.
A much better use of that money could be: 3-5 new missionaries, 4-6 new church starts, 10 scholarships at California Baptist University or Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, or five new Set Free ministries.
This labor cost and interest (wasted money) could be used for one or more of the above projects if:
- Each of our 31 associations sent one team of 8-10 for 4-5 days. This would lower the labor cost by 30-50%.
- If only 10% of our approximately 1,800 churches sent a team we could cut the labor cost by 90-95%.
- If 100 individuals, Bible study groups, men's and women's mission groups, or churches would adopt one worker for one week and pay his labor costs ($300-$400) we could finish this job and not have to even think about borrowing money.
Mother Lode Association with nine small churches has sent one team. Two churches are planning for a combined team, and Mother Lode is planning to send a second team in January.
If other associations and churches entered with this type of cooperation we could finish the remodel within 8-10 months.
We are asking each association and our churches to seriously consider adopting one week beginning in January 2009, and bringing team to Fresno. Once a week is adopted, we will work with the team leader to provide information for the type of work to be done, and suggested trades and tools needed for the project.
Housing and meals will be furnished and RV parking is available with water and electricity.
