FAQ

 

What is The Bridge?

The Bridge is three things. One, a spiritual journey connecting us in a deeper, more meaningful way, to the life God created us to live. Two, it’s an extension of our Everyday Faith evangelism outreach as realized by new and creative ways to connect to our community and to future generations. And finally, it’s a two story building designed to accommodate Adult Small Group Bible Fellowships and Children’s Ministry for grades 1st-6th.

 

Why do we need a new building?

Five years ago the church family approved a master plan designed to anticipate the growing needs of a healthy church campus over a twenty-year period. Some of those construction needs were met when Elevation was built. The children’s area was renovated and brought up to building code this past year. For the last twenty years, adult meeting space was relegated to portable buildings with the understanding a dedicated adult small group facility would one day be constructed. With current attendance setting new records and young families with children joining Mobberly every weekend, it has become expedient to create more reliable meeting room space not only for the adults, but also to expand our current children’s department class needs. The Bridge is arranged to not only facilitate the current attendance needs for adults and grade school children, but also designed for variable room configurations to allow for multi-use events. This building also unites four proposed building objectives voted on by the Mobberly church family in its twenty-year master plan thereby, meeting and anticipating future goals. This, ultimately, saves expenses for the church through one capital campaign as opposed to multiple ones drawn out over time.

 

What is the cost of The Bridge?

There are two components to The Bridge ... the approved and completed Worship Center Foyer Expansion (WCFE) and The Bridge building. The WCFE has been paid for, and The Bridge will be paid for with ongoing contributions to the Building Fund for that purpose.

Worship Center Foyer Expansion $1,200,000

The Bridge Building $10,800,000

TOTAL Cost for The Bridge $12,000,000

 

Why is now the time to build The Bridge?

Our Planning & Building Committee has worked hard to be great stewards of what is believed to be an appropriate commitment for Mobberly at this time :

• Bringing the cost down to $12,000,000 from the original plan of $18,000,000 is extremely significant.

• Both building costs and borrowing costs are very low at this time—and we want to take advantage of that cost containment.

 

How big is the Bridge?

The Bridge is tentatively designed at 51,000 square feet covering two stories. Think of it as two times the size of Elevation or four times the size of the senior adult building.

 

How many people can use the Bridge?

The Bridge allows for approximately 750 adults and 820 children to be using the building at any one given hour.

 

How long will it take to build the Bridge?

The church’s vote on moving forward with The Bridge will be on April 18, 2010 (PM service). Site work could begin as early as May, 2010. The estimated completion date for The Bridge is fall, 2011.

 

What was done in the Worship Center foyer and how does it relate to the Bridge?

The worship center foyer has been expanded by aproximately 4100 square feet and the existing foyer space has been remodeled to bring our current space up to date. One of the primary goals of the Bridge process is to enhance the gathering and fellowship space for our church family. The enlarged worship center foyer will allow our church family to gather between and during services. In addition, a new coffee area will provide a casual corner for fellowship. The foyer contains a new Hospitality Room, an area where pastors and prayer partners can spend time with guests and members.

 

How will parking be improved in relation to the Bridge?

Approximately two hundred new parking spaces, to include expanded handicap accessible and senior adult, will be carved from property on the north side of the Bridge area. A covered drive through drop-off area, designed to accommodate multiple vehicles, will be a component of the north entrance to the children’s area of the Bridge. Improved vehicle access will be redesigned in front of the current gym and pre-school area.

 

Why does the Bridge appear far-away from the worship center?

The Bridge is intentionally positioned on east side of the gym to link the children’s areas together, to provide visual impact and accessibility for guests approaching Mobberly from Loop 281 and to be prepared to one day link with a proposed worship center designed for the east side of the Mobberly property.

 

How can I give to the Bridge?

• You can make a pledge. The giving period will last for 18 months beginning in May, 2010. You can give far more when it is spread out over time, and you may choose to give weekly, quarterly or even make annual payments.

• You can give a gift of assets. In addition to monetary gifts, you may give real estate, stocks, bonds, coins, and gold, etc. Call the church at 903.663.7350 for more details.

• You can make the church the beneficiary in your will. There are many tools available to you that can benefit the church and leave an inheritance for your heirs at the same time. We can connect you with professionals in this area should you wish for more information.

 

How will I know how much to give?

Pray daily and allow God to open your heart regarding your commitment. Through prayer and personal assessment, you will settle on the specific amount, over and above your normal budgeted tithe.

 

Will my contribution be made public?

Only the total amount of commitments is made public. Individual contributions are private and held in confidence within the church records. If you would like information regarding your pledge or your giving to date contact Mobberly’s Finance Office at 903.663.7340.

 

How will I designate my commitment to the Bridge?

Mobberly offering envelopes include an area (“Building Fund”) where you can indicate what part of your offering is directed toward your traditional tithe and what additional part, over-and-above your normal giving, should be directed toward the Bridge. If you choose to give online, your gift will go to the Building Fund, which will be channeled toward The Bridge.

 

Do we have to raise the entire amount of the building fund before construction can begin?

The more money raised initially means the less amount of money needed in a construction loan, and that relates to interest saved. Because of the overwhelming need for Small Group space and church growth multiplying weekly, it is imperative construction begin as soon as possible. Because The Bridge is an act of faith we will trust God to supply all the money as it is needed.

 

What if the total commitments do not equal the projected cost of The Bridge?

The Bridge is critical for Mobberly’s ability to continue reaching people. Our middle Small Group Bible Fellowship (SGBF) hour is at maximum capacity, and we need to provide more space for those who need to know and grow in Christ. The “opportunity cost” in waiting is high…people we might have reached. Our plan is that, in the next three years, the Lord will provide where He has guided. Our prayer is that the First Fruits offering will enable us to begin, and ongoing contributions will enable us to continue building. Should the time come when borrowing is necessary that expense will be factored into future annual Ministry Action Plans (budgets). We certainly will go through this door as a unified church family through much prayer and godly counsel.

 

How will we finish paying for the Bridge?

Our prayer is that every family unit within the Mobberly church family will seek to be a part of this wonderful adventure by pledging and giving for The Bridge. We plan to pursue a line of credit to pay for the construction not covered by our faithful commitments. Our heart’s desire is that no money would need to be borrowed as the Mobberly family continues to faithfully give –but we will be prepared to implement this line of credit to borrow what is not given. Mobberly has done this before. Our church’s bank, Texas Bank and Trust, has agreed to partner with Mobberly as the church moves forward with The Bridge. Their terms, reviewed and approved by our Finance Committee, are very favorable and competitive for this building. Our goal is to foster more participation so we will keep interest payments to a minimum. Saving $150,000 in interest could help us sponsor a church plant’s budget for an entire year.

This space is vital to Mobberly’s continued ability to reach and disciple people. We must move forward with dependence on God’s wisdom and guidance, with faith in His resources and power, and with sacrificial love for the lost people He wants us to reach with this ministry tool.

 

How can I commit to give to The Bridge?

You may begin a regular commitment at any time. Our heart’s desire is to see 100% of Mobberly family members participate in The Bridge ministry project at whatever level God leads them to participate. A “pledge” is what God has laid on your heart—and it is important to help us plan at each stage of the process.

You will have a special opportunity to pledge during May, 2010. This is approximately the halfway point for our original campaign. If you have not yet pledged and you want to get in on the excitement, you will be given the chance to make an 18-month commitment to join those already giving.

 

Will the Child Development Center be moved to the Bridge?

The Child Development Center will remain in its recently renovated space. Children’s Ministry activities, related to grades 1^st-6^th will have access to the facilities in the Bridge.

 

What will happen to the portable buildings?

Once construction has allowed for adults and grade-school children to move into the Bridge, the portable small group meeting rooms will be removed and two distinct outdoor playgrounds will be constructed on the site. The two newest portable buildings may be retained to be used by the church family. One playground will be designed to accommodate young children, the other separate space purposed for older children. A walkway will unite this area between the Bridge and north side entrances to the current children’s area.

 

Will classes still meet in the portable buildings when The Bridge is complete?

When The Bridge is completed we will be able to place all of our current on-campus Small Group Bible Fellowships (SGBF’s) in The Bridge and the Johnson Building. In addition, there would be classrooms available to begin new SGBF’s. In projecting growth, it is anticipated that this will provide us with room for growth as we continue to have multiple meeting hours for our SGBF’s. The two most current portable buildiings may be retained for church use.

 

Will Small Group Bible Fellowships (SGBF) still be meeting off-campus when The Bridge is completed?

Yes – intentionally so. One of the ways we are seeking to reach our community is through off-campus groups. Off-campus small groups provide another entry point for those who might not come to Mobberly’s campus…but would come to someone’s home to learn more about Christ. We will continue to have off-campus SGBF’s to reach people in our community.