Two years ago NRHC dared to ask the question, “What if?” What if we became missionaries to our city? What would need to be different? As a result of asking that simple question, we embarked on a journey to pursue 7 goals ranging from no more orphans to more Christians per capita in the Carolinas. We also heeded God’s prodding to increase our presence in the city by launching the Rawlinson Place Campus.

Two years later, we see significant progress toward our 7 goals. We have trained over 100 church planters in cities throughout the Carolinas. We have 3 church planting interns working with the staff of NRHC for their personal growth and development. HOME ministries has raised the banner for orphans, and a meaningful partnership has developed with York County DSS. Our partnerships with York Road and India Hook elementary schools have provided greater opportunities to influence children, their families, and teachers. We have worked with other churches to embrace the vision of every school having a church partner. Several schools have church partners that are simply looking to serve, and we are anxious to see what God does with our 3 church planting interns. The Dream Center has exploded in its ministry to the inner city, and several Journey Groups are actively serving in our city. Last summer a team from NRHC served in Honduras, and we are continuing to seek God's direction for an unreached nation.

The last two years have also seen multiple efforts to close the purchase of the Rawlinson Place Campus from West End Baptist Church, and unfortunately it is time for this part of the vision to come to an end. When NRHC entered into an agreement with West End Baptist to purchase the Rawlinson Place Campus, it was an arrangement that worked for all 3 parties—NRHC, West End, and the bank. Since that time the circumstances of all three have changed. NRHC is currently without a Lead Pastor, and banks will not loan funds to churches without a Lead Pastor or one recently hired. West End is a position where they can no longer wait for us to raise additional funds, and the entire banking climate is different. What once was a deal that was attractive to banks is now a deal they won’t entertain. These three changes have created a new reality. We will not be able to close the purchase of the Rawlinson Place Campus.

As the leadership of NRHC prayed about this new reality, it became clear that we needed to take an important, but painful, step. We have decided to close the Rawlinson Place Campus.

This may very well feel like a funeral—like something has died. As our leadership has processed this decision, we too have been saddened by the closing of a building that has served us well over the past two years. But as we worked through this grief, we realized several important benefits:

Financial Focus on What’s Most Important

The Rawlinson Place Campus was a part of the “What If?” vision, but it wasn’t the most important part! In fact we have seen more progress in all of the other areas than we can fund. In other words, we have so much of our giving going toward buildings that we can't adequately fund these emerging ministries. Closing the Rawlinson Place Campus will free up significant funds for ministry, including the first 10% of “What If?” contributions that was designed two years ago for ministry in our city. This means $50,000 is immediately available for ministry in the city.

@NRHC Ministry Boost

Our family ministries have worked diligently for two years to serve a multi-campus church, and they have done this well. They will be able to do this better, however, by condensing the teams from two campuses back into one. Key leadership will not longer be spread thin, and our ministries will increase across the board. Also Phillip McCart, our Family and Worship Pastor, will be able to focus on his primary passion—family ministry. Phillip has been serving as the primary worship leader at the Riverview Campus, and he will now be able to transition his focus primarily toward family ministry. Troy Reeves, the primary worship leader at the Rawlinson Place Campus, will now be the primary worship leader for all worship services. This effect of improving quality through consolidation will be seen on all of our @NRHC teams including worship, tech, facilities, and hospitality.

Setting Up the Next Lead Pastor to Win

As our leadership considered how to best set up our next Lead Pastor to win, we concluded that we needed to create more financial margin. We expect him to take our “What If?” vision to the next level, and we want to be ready to fund these efforts as they develop. We also want you to get to know him in person, not by video. By consolidating to one campus he will be able to address every worship service live.

Timeline

The closing of the Rawlinson Place Campus will be announced in worship services on Sunday October 23, and the final Sunday morning worship service at the Rawlinson Place Campus will be held on the following Sunday, October 30. November 6 will be the first Sunday that all NRHC services will be held at the Riverview Campus. The Youth will continue to meet at the Rawlinson Place Campus through the end of 2011, and the Christmas Boutique will also be at the Rawlinson Place Campus in December.

What About the “What If?” Money?

There is currently a little over $250,000 in the “What If?” fund. As mentioned above, $50,000 will be released for ministry in the city. The remainder will remain in the fund, and the Partners will decided in the future how it is to be used. Some could be used for additional ministry in the city, for debt reduction on the Riverview Campus, or for our next facilities need—whether it be another campus or the expansion of the Riverview Campus.

Should I Keep Giving to What If?

Two years ago we prayerfully committed to give toward “What If?” not because we were guaranteed a 100% chance that we would be able to purchase the Rawlinson Place Campus, but because God commanded us to give. We did it out of obedience to fund a vision for our city and beyond. We encourage you to remain faithful to your “What If?” commitments and sustain your giving through the end of the “What If?” campaign in October 2012. Any money given will be used in a manner determined by the Partners - additional ministry in the city, debt reduction on the Riverview Campus, or for our next facility need. If you want, you may simply give your remaining “What If?” commitment to NRHC’s general fund. Please label it “undesignated” in the memo line.

Celebrating God’s Work at the
Rawlinson Place Campus

The leadership of NRHC hopes we don't too quickly forget the amazing things God has done at the Rawlinson Place Campus. The youth have met there every Sunday for two years, and many young lives have been changed. Baptism and Partner Gatherings have been celebrations to remember, and the Christmas Boutique has blessed our city for the last two years. The HOME ministries have filled up the Rawlinson Place calendar with ministry to guardian ad-litems and our partnership with DSS. Sunday morning services have connected many to Christ and NRHC, and the Northwestern High School football team has even even used the Rawlinson Place Campus for their pre-game ritual! The amazing thing about these ministries is that most can be done at Riverview as well! These ministries won't stop just because the Rawlinson Place Campus is closing!

A Special Announcement

Why are we closing the Rawlinson Place Campus so quickly? Because the leadership of NRHC is also excited to announce that we believe God has led us to the next Lead Pastor of NRHC! As we continue to pursue the hiring and affirmation process, we want him to be able to address everyone in person. Stay tuned for more details as the affirmation process continues!

Will you join us by continuing to pursue God's vision for NRHC at the Riverview Campus? Worship services will be at 8:15, 9:45, and 11:15. November 6 will be an exciting day as we worship for the first time in two years under one roof. We will celebrate life change through baptism, and partner with parents in baby dedication. God is still very much with us, and this move to one campus will put us in the best position to be a part of His work in our city and beyond. Are you with us?