From the moment Cecelia and I joined Johns Creek Baptist Church in 1972, we stepped into a congregation faithfully carrying the weight of building programs—first in Chamblee and later in Johns Creek. The beautiful facilities JCBC enjoys today are the result of decades of sacrifice by generations of members who gave generously so that ministry could flourish. Those blessings, however, came at significant cost.
“A Vision 50 Years in the Making.”
For more than fifty years, I served on our stewardship and budget committees, hoping and praying for the day when JCBC would finally be free from debt—a day when more of our resources could be directed toward ministry rather than debt service. That long-awaited milestone arrived in late 2020. Through the extraordinary generosity of our members and a final campaign, we made the last payment on the church’s debt. It was a moment of profound gratitude and possibility. At last, the future stretched before us without the financial constraints that had shaped so much of our past.
Debt freedom, however, also brought clarity. To keep our ministries thriving, we must also care responsibly for the large and aging facilities God has entrusted to us. In recent years, the exceptional generosity of several members has allowed us to think seriously and strategically about sustaining our debt-free future.
In late 2024, we established the JCBC Facilities Maintenance, Repair, and Improvement Endowment Fund. As the Endowment grows over time, its distributions will help cover the substantial costs of maintaining and improving our facilities. This long-term resource will ensure that JCBC remains debt-free while continuing to create the physical environment needed to form more—and deeper—disciples of Jesus.
“Honoring the Past, Securing the Future.”
For me, supporting the Endowment is an opportunity to invest in the future of a church that has profoundly shaped my own spiritual life. It is a way to give “over and above,” to leave a legacy for the next generation, and to strengthen the foundation upon which future ministry will be built. I believe in this church, and I am grateful for the chance to help secure its future.
