The Virginia Baptist Mission Board's executive committee voted Jan. 16 to reorganize and expand its program of Capital Stewardship Services and has enlisted Reggie McDonough, former executive director of the board, to lead it.
Mission Board executive director John Upton told the executive committee that the “time has come to reorganize and expand the board's Capital Stewardship Services. We have had an increasing number of calls from churches across the state that need help in raising funds for expansion and remodeling. As costs have soared, capital campaigns have become a necessary part of the financial package for most church construction plans. Commercial fund-raising companies are often beyond their reach financially. This is a service that fits very well into our efforts to assist churches to advance the Redeemer's Kingdom. I believe the time is right to take it to a new level.
McDonough
“I am pleased to announce that our executive director emeritus, Reginald McDonough, has agreed to become the team leader for this renewed effort. He will lead a team of well-trained consultants who will be available to assist churches of all sizes in all parts of the state.”
“This is an answer to prayer for me,” said McDonough. “I love Virginia Baptists and am delighted for this opportunity to contribute to the growth and effectiveness of God's mission in Virginia. Capital Stewardship Services was formed to provide quality fund-raising counsel at a reasonable cost to churches of all sizes and in all sections of Virginia. I'm happy to be a part of this renewed effort.”
The service will function out of the treasurer's office at the Mission Board and churches interested in obtaining the service should contact treasurer Eddie Stratton at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center.
The Mission Board began offering fund-raising assistance to churches in the mid-1990s through a two-year cooperative agreement with the RSI Company of Dallas. Several Mission Board consultants were trained to provide services to churches with annual budgets under $200,000. The agreement called for the Mission Board to refer churches with larger budgets to RSI. The agreement was not renewed after the two-year trial period.
Since that time the board has continued to provide services through a contractual arrangement with Michael Jessee, one of the original Mission Board consultants.
Special to the Herald