Grace Church Gulf Coast » One Life, One Hope, One Vision

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September 7, 2010

One Life, One Hope, One Vision

Grace Church Gulf Coast Friends,

GCGC was started because of a passion God put into the heart of our Pastor, Brad Robertson, which was to reach people with and teach people about the good news of God’s grace. It was the same passion that Jesus put into the heart of Paul in Acts 20:24:

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

In the Bible, God’s grace is everything God did for us out of his unmerited kindness through Jesus’ death and resurrection to bring us salvation. Titus 2:11 says:

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

GCGC first began meeting in a home in February of 1998 and launched their first public service at Ocean Springs Middle School on April 12, 1998. Since this time, the church has been in two other locations. What is amazing about GCGC, through these moves, has been God’s hand upon us allowing the church persevere through so many years without a building of our own. Statistics show the following about new churches:

•    40% of new churches cease to exist after the first year.
•    80% of new churches cease to exist after five years.
•    Only 20% of new churches are established as long term churches.

GCGC is in that 20% category. Here is another statistic of interest:

•    GCGC has baptized about 130 people over the last ten years. That is 130 people who have trusted in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

After 10 years of being without a building, the GCGC family is on the verge of having their very first building. The church has 12 acres located in a great location in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. It is central to the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. Within 25 minutes of the church are 300,000 people.

The church has already done site-development on the land and the foundations have been poured. Currently, the first two of our three buildings are under construction. We are currently building our Children’s Ministry Center and Church Auditorium. We look forward to constructing our Youth Ministry Center soon.

The GCGC family has given abundantly so the church could develop the site, pour the foundations, and begin constructing their buildings. The generous giving of the church family will allow them to construct their first two buildings up to the point of beginning the interior build-out phase. Finishing the interior of the first two buildings will require about $450,000. This includes air-conditioning and heating, electrical, lighting, plumbing, water and sewer hook-up, fire sprinkler-system, framing and dry wall, painting, and audio-video.

Upon completion of our Children’s Ministry Center and Church Auditorium, we will construct our Youth Ministry Center. This will cost about $225,000.

We believe having our own buildings will enable our GCGC family to grow stronger as a church and reach more and more people with the good news of God’s grace for generations to come. One of our favorite verses at our church is from 2 Corinthians 4:15:

All this is for your benefit, so the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

God’s grace, all that God has done for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection, has reached your friend or family member through GCGC. His or her life has been changed by Jesus Christ. As a result, he or she is overflowing with thanksgiving to God for all he has done in his or her life. Your friend or family member now is passionate about reaching more and more people with the good news of Jesus Christ through GCGC. He or she wants to see more and more people experience the same life-change he or she has…children, teenagers, and adults from all walks of life. That is why your friend or family member is sending you this letter. He or she believes that when the church buildings are complete, more and more people will hear about the life-changing message of Jesus Christ for generations to come. Also, he or she knows that current members of the church will finally have a place to call home. Children and teenagers will be able to learn about Jesus in colorful and exciting environments, rather than in school hallways and classrooms.

Just think, your daughters and sons, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or friends will have a great place to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and their understanding of the Bible.

Because your friend or family member’s life has been changed by Jesus Christ through GCGC, he or she thought you may want to join with others receiving this letter in giving financially to completing our church buildings so our church family can have a place to call home and allow the church to bring life-change to many more lives through the communication of the good news about Jesus Christ.

If you feel you would like to partner with your loved one in giving to his or her church to help the people of GCGC have its own buildings and also to reach more and more people with the good news of Jesus Christ for generations to come, you can give in several ways.

You can give:

•    Online at www.gracechurchgulfcoast.com. Simply go to our website and click on the GCGC Family button on the left side of the front page and the click on the donate button located at the top of the page and follow the instructions.
•    Through the mail – You can mail your contribution directly to GCGC to the following address: Grace Church Gulf Coast, PO Box 2038, Ocean Springs, MS 39566-2038.
•    By sending your contribution to your friend or family member and he or she can take your gift to the GCGC offices or place it in the church offering.

*Indicate on your check that you would like your contribution to go directly into the GCGC Building Fund.

Please know 100% of your financial gift is tax deductible. You will receive a financial contribution statement in the mail in January of 2009 to use for your tax deductions.

There are many friends and family members of those who call GCGC their home church receiving this letter that God has blessed in different ways financially. Some may be able to give $50, while others may be able to give $100, $500, $1000, $5000 or even $50,000 or $100,000. There may even be a few people who God may use to purchase our Youth Ministry Building. Whatever amount you choose to give, your friend or family member, and the entire GCGC family will be excited and thankful that you have joined with us in helping us have our own church home that will continue to impact the lives of more and more people for generations to come.

If you have any questions concerning this letter, our church, or our building program, you are welcome to contact our Senior Pastor, Brad Robertson, through email at seniorpastor@gracechurchgulfcoast.com or by phone at 228-818-2989.

On behalf of your friend or family member and our entire church family, thank you so much for your contribution to help us build our very first building and reach more and more people with the good news about Jesus Christ. May God bless you for your generous contribution.

In God’s Grace,

Brad Robertson