January Newsletter – Coram Deo

Originally sent to distribution list on 1.16.24. Posting here for convenience. 

Hello friends, and Happy New Year to you!

Thank you for your interest in our church planting journey. For those of you recently joining us, we welcome you to our community! We treasure your prayers and support, believing each of you play a valuable role in our lives and ministry.

Here are four items to note for January:

I. Estimated Public Launch | August 2025

As we look to the months ahead, we want to put forward a time for public launch. This is the time when we will hold weekly public gatherings as an established church. We believe this date gives us adequate time to prepare, while also capturing momentum upon the return of school. Please pray to this end that the Lord would plant Coram Deo Baptist this year.

Church planting is the Lord’s work. He can plant us when he desires. But he does call us to plan. So for now, that’s our plan!

II. Financial Review

As the new year begins, we are very thankful for those who have contributed. The 2024 giving has provided quite a runway for the year ahead. Over the last five months, our current church planting account at Fairview is at $95,046.

We have estimated an annual church budget of $288K upon launch date. Until then of course, our expenses are much less than budgeted. Financial needs at current are my salary, miscellaneous administrative expenses, and event supplies. Though Fairview’s current balance is sufficient to cover my salary, we need much more to meet the budget upon launch.

Thankfully, several churches have committed to give this year as well as generous individuals. As always, you can give directly to Fairview by marking your gift “church plant” or through our NAMB giving link. All contributions go to the same Fairview line item from which our pre-plant expenses are taken (referenced above).

Coram Deo checking account 

Our bank account opens this week. I am thankful for our treasurer, Troy Staley, for his work and oversight. Its immediate purpose is to collect contributions from future church members that are not members of our sending church (Fairview). This account will allow us to create a financial base from which we will pull from upon launch. When that time comes, remaining church plant funds at Fairview will be reallocated to this account. If you would like to give directly to this account, please make checks payable to “Coram Deo Baptist Church” and mail to:

Coram Deo Baptist Church

PO Box 308

Angier, NC 27501

In the coming weeks, we will have a giving link associated with this account to facilitate online giving.

III. Next Information Meeting | February 2

Join us after the morning service at Fairview Baptist for our next information meeting (12-2pm). This meeting is open to all. Our time will include updates on finances, core team formation, facility search and more. Please watch our Facebook page for details and sign up. Lunch and childcare will be provided.

Many have asked about joining our core team. If you are interested, please reference a resource on my website entitled “Joining Our Core Team.” Linked here.

IV. Preaching Schedule

The Lord has been kind to provide opportunities for me to preach in various churches around the Raleigh area this spring. Please pray for these preaching appointments. Thus far, my Sunday schedule is:

January 26 Elm Grove Baptist | Nashville (NC)

February 9 Fairview Baptist | Apex

February 23 Shelter Church | Cary

March 23 Life Point Community | Willow Spring

April 6 Fairview Baptist | Apex

May 18 Redeemer Community | Fuquay-Varina

Prayer Requests

Core Team Meetings. Pray for spiritual unity as we begin to point our sails toward planting. Much planning, training and laboring await us. Pray also the Lord will add to our number as we begin organizing those interested in the effort.

Facility Needs. Pray for favor as we continue to search for a permanent space to gather upon launch. Our desire is to secure space soon to best prepare and promote Sunday services open to the community this fall.

Supporting Churches. Pray for a growing number of churches to come alongside us with financial support. We expect our 2025 budget to be near $300K. It’s our prayer that one third of those funds will come from generous local churches.

Document Formation. Pray for wisdom as I begin to craft key documentation with the help of Fairview and supporting church leadership. Bylaws, policies, website and our prospectus will be key documents among the many created.

Eat Local!

Living on mission requires that we do life in our community. We build relationships not to just make friends, but to share the gospel and make disciples. One easy way to meet people is to eat at local restaurants. Each month, we’ll highlight a different place to eat. This month: Two Cousins Pizza located at 559 N. Raleigh Street in Angier. The owner’s name is Josh Breed. Take time this month to stop by, grab a slice, introduce yourself. Then talk about Jesus and church planting. Oh, and they have great garlic knots by the way.

Resource of the Month

At the close of each newsletter, I promote a resource to help us prepare to plant. This month is Church Membership by Jonathan Leeman.

Blessings to you. Coram Deo.

PS. Save the date! We’ll hold an Easter service on Sunday, April 20. This will be the first of several “preview” services until launch date.