As you may know, we are hunting for our next meeting location!  Middletown schools will not be an option much longer, and we need a place that would allow us to do more ministry throughout the week.

We recently challenged people to make the next chapter at Catalyst a reality… And your step out in faith really blew us away!  Let me share with you that progress!  On February 5th, here’s what God did through you:

• 12 people gave for the first time ever – that is a HUGE spiritual step
• 15 people committed to begin tithing and to start putting God first in their finances
• Commitments of increased giving in 2012 totaled $93,000 and will help prepare us to be able to make this transition
• We saw a miracle take place, as you gave over $42,000.00 on ONE weekend (no, that is NOT a typo)

As you can see, we are well on our way to discovering our next chapter at Catalyst Church!  Because you’ve made it clear that Jesus is your treasure, I know you’ll want to be praying about this adventure.  Here are a few areas where we desperately need to see God work:

• If it’s God’s will, pray that He would continue to open the door at a location we really love
• Pray for the owner of this property.  A church of our age and size is a risk for a business owner.  In addition, we are asking for more than most people who might be interested in this property.
• Finances are still an issue; he wants to see much more than $42,000 in our savings account.  Because we are a young church with a short financial record, we’ll need to use almost half that amount when we sign our lease agreement (security deposit & first few months’ rent up front).  The good news: we still have a little bit of time to show him that we will continue to see an increase in weekly giving.
• Parking is a major hurdle.  We are asking him to make a lot of changes and concessions in the area of parking.  Honestly, God will really need to do something huge to make this happen.

I want to close by saying that I am incredibly proud of your generosity, your faith, and your desire to create a place where we can continue to reach out to those who are far from God.  We need you, now more than EVER, to pray like never before!

Can I count on you to pray – like never before – over the next few weeks?

what…

At Catalyst, we have never been about a building. We simply desire to find the most effective ways to bring Jesus to our community.  Being portable has been a huge blessing. We have seen God do amazing things, and people have connected to Catalyst through serving. However, to go to the next level, something more permanent is necessary. We are preparing to lease a space (for the next 5-10 years), and we want to celebrate our 3 year anniversary (Sept. 2012) in this new space.

why…

• A new space will allow us to create better environments for children – real walls separating and cutting down noisy distractions
• More ministry opportunities in our community. Less time setting up each week means more time for outreach!
• Middletown Public Schools aren’t an option for next year.
• Greater impact by providing space for: CatalystSTUDENTS, Discovery Class, Catalyst University, Big Night Out, Outreach Events and space on Sundays for connections and fellowship.

how…

We are asking you to be the miracle for someone else. We are asking you to carry the mat for someone else to meet Jesus. We are asking that you would make the Kingdom of God your treasure. You can do this through the Thrive Offering.

The Thrive Offering has two parts: 

1. A Thrive Increase. We are asking everyone to play a part and we are asking that everyone would increase their giving in 2012. We want to see non-givers experiencing the joy of giving for the first time! We want to see givers become fully obedient tithers. And, we want to see regular tithers become sacrificial and generous givers in 2012. Wherever you are currently, by stepping up YOU will play a huge part!
2. A Thrive Offering. We are asking that everyone bring their best one-time gift on February 5th. We want to kickoff this season of increase with a huge day full of sacrifice, participation and faith. Would you pray about being a part of this exciting opportunity to invest in what God is doing in and through Catalyst?

I am excited, nervous, wondering, hoping, and anticipating what God will do through a people fully devoted and surrendered to Him.  I am in this with you. We aren’t asking you to step up, we are asking you to join us in stepping up in 2012.  After much prayer, my family is going to double our giving this year. We are going to bring 10% of that increase on February 5th. It will take sacrifice and faith for us. I want to challenge you to pray and follow God’s leading for you. It’s not about equal giving, it’s about equal sacrifice.  There is nothing more exhilarating than a life lived out in faith and devotion to God’s calling on your life.

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of laying the foundation for the next chapter at Catalyst!

- Michael Larkin