Wildfire May 2012 | Page 3

Finance Update At the February Church News Night we presented the finances for 2012, highlighting the faith challenges for us as a church family for the year ahead. We are going to provide regular finance feedback through future News Nights and also here in Wildfire. Choices Community Trust At the start of 2012 we were able to give £____ to Choices Community Trust (CCT). CCT is a ministry that has come out of the Newfrontiers church in East Manchester. It is a registered charity with a focus in Gorton one of the most deprived areas of East Manchester. CCT is passionate about ‘giving people more choice’ and the charity serves the community through three key areas, enabling them to give increased opportunities, activities and skills. Through the Urban Youth Work, Adult Mentoring Programme and Back to Work Scheme they support people of all ages to make positive life choices and fulfil their potential. Based at a shop front premises in the heart of the Gorton community, they meet about 100 people a week who don’t always seem to access the choices that others may take for granted. Whether delivering music workshops, supporting individuals on their personal journey or encouraging employment, it is an exciting work that see the lives of others changed, one at a time, as Choices journey with them. For the first quarter of 2012 our income was £34,087.64, and expenditure was £36,218.13. This represents a shortfall (deficit) of £2,130.49 for the first quarter. It should be noted that these figures are for our regular budget income and expenditure and do not include the gift days and other designated gifts. This shortfall is less than we had originally planned for at the start of the year, but still presents a faith target for us all. Our response to such circumstances should primarily be to look to Jesus as it is His church. He is the head and He is building His church. Our confidence needs to be in Him and His plans and not just in our planning capabilities. Good stewardship of finances is of course vitally importants. I want to encourage you to pray for the following: • New growth: That we would see the church family and finances grow through new individuals and families being added to us and giving. • New jobs and income increase: In a climate when things are tough we can be heads down and forget who holds the resources of Heaven! Pray for your own situation, and for others in the church. Ask for promotions