Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost, we are asking that you pray and seek God’s direction on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him and then listen to what He says. Take your next step. Engage in personal reflection with God in this guide. Talk with your spouse, your family, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life. We are asking that you make a sacrificial commitment to gospel-centered generosity,  whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading.

Finally, we ask that you prepare to be amazed. We serve an awesome God, and He is going to move in huge ways. We anticipate an unprecedented impact from our collective ADVANCE commitments,  something only God can do. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, October 15 and prepare to experience a life-changing worship service that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and our faith. 

We are more focused on everyone at FBC seeing their giving as an integral part of the discipleship process and then being challenged by God to take a next step. The bulk of this notebook is focused on helping us dig into some key Biblical principles that guide us in this area as we follow Jesus. This is our first priority—100% participation in the process. Even if someone wrote us a check today for our secondary goal of $2.5 - $3.5 million, we would still do this initiative. Whether we’re just starting in our giving journey or we’re very committed givers, we all have a next step to take and room to grow in this area.

Our current annual giving is approximately $1,650,000, multiplied by two years is $3.3M. So, in essence, we’re believing God to grow our resources by $1.25 - $1.75 million per year for a total of $5.8 - $6.8 million. 

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give toward ADVANCE. You might have some stocks, property, or other items of that nature. Or you may have stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He just might be calling you to give during this time. Please let us know if you need assistance with facilitating gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help you. Pastor Micah Warren, FBC’s Executive Pastor, is able to assist with all such gifts and questions by email at pastormicah@fbcbelong.com. 

If you are new to the idea of tithing, the following are five facts about biblical tithing: (1) The tithe is 10% of everything God provides through income, gifts, etc. (2) The tithe is to be the very first ten percent of your income - before taxes, bills, savings, house payment, etc. (3) The tithe is to be given to God’s work around the world with priority given to His work through the local church. (4) The tithe was modeled by Abraham, Moses, Jesus, & Paul. (5) The tithe is supposed to be the floor and not the ceiling of our Christian generosity. In fact, we like to say that “tithing is the training wheels for a life of generosity” - where God begins teaching us how to be generous in all areas of our life.

ADVANCE was crafted specifically with you in mind. ADVANCE is a “one fund” generosity initiative. It’s different from a traditional capital campaign where you are called to give an extra gift above and beyond your normal giving, thus creating two steps for people who aren’t yet giving. ADVANCE is a call to sacrificial, gospel-centered generosity for absolutely everyone at FBC. If you have never given before, this is your chance to get in the game with a committed sacrifice. We really hope you will.

You are welcome to give online to ADVANCE by going to www.fbcbelong.com/give 

We are asking that everyone make a two-year (24-month) commitment. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin with BIG GIVE SUNDAY and our offering on Sunday, October 15 and it will culminate in October of 2025.

ADVANCE is about the vision for our church and our personal discipleship in giving as followers of Jesus. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give toward, and we would really love for you to make FBC your home and join us in ADVANCE. If you are ready for it, this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make this your church home. The best way to do that is to attend our next Connections Class.

ADVANCE is about your total, radical, sacrificial generosity to God’s mission at FBC. We believe that God calls us to action in times of hardship just as much as He does in times of abundance, and that looks different for every person. ADVANCE is about a heart change—one that is only accomplished by surrendering our lives completely over to God in this area of giving and declaring that we are people who are willing to ADVANCE with Jesus. That may mean that you are being challenged to sell things, to pick up odd jobs, or even to trust God in faith by making a commitment that you don’t quite know how to fulfill right now but that you believe God will provide for, as you seek for ways to work towards that commitment.  We would like for 100% of us to be a part of ADVANCE so that we can all be supporting, loving, encouraging, and praying for one another through this spiritually-stretching season at Faith Baptist Church.

If you are someone currently seeking to make payments to pay off debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that. And you should continue to do so. We would be happy to help you in this journey and/ or to recommend a budgeting resource that might minister to you. Being in debt does not, however, “excuse” someone from giving. Giving isn’t about what God wants from you; rather, it’s about what God wants FOR you. It should be our joy and privilege to give at all times. Please visit with one of our staff if you need assistance with this. We would be honored to help you!