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GREATER THINGS

B E A R C R E E K B A P T I S T C H U R C H

Anyone who has faith in me...will do even greater things

John 14:12

John 14:12 I tell you the truth,

anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been

doing. He will do even greater

things than these, because I am going to the

Father.

WEWILL DOGREATERTHINGSIt is an audacious thought that we would

do GREATER THINGS than Jesus. If you

or I suggested it, we would be laughed at

or called arrogant. However, we aren’t the

ones that proposed this amazing idea. He

did.

Jesus has told us that, if we have faith in

Him, we will do even greater things than

what He did while He was walking with

people on this earth. What does this mean?

How can we do even greater things than

Jesus? Jesus has a mission to accomplish

on this earth, a mission for the Kingdom

of God. The work of the Kingdom didn’t

stop when Jesus ascended into Heaven.

It wasn’t put on pause. It was handed to

us, the church, and we were given great

resource with it.

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Think of the resources Jesus gave us to work with that were not present during His earthly

ministry...

1. The Gospel and His own completed work of salvation through His death and resurrection

2. Himself as an advocate for us before the Father night and day (Romans 8:34, I John 2:1)

3. The Holy Spirit as ever-present counselor in every believer (John 14:16-17)

The greater things we are called to do are the greater things of the Kingdom: reconciling the

world to God by reaching people with the Gospel and bringing them up in discipleship. These

things are at the core of our mission to make disciples. We are a church committed to greater

things.

God has been doing these greater things since the beginning of Bear Creek. He is doing them

now, and if we keep our faith sure in Him, greater things are yet to come.

OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE DISCIPLES

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1977In 1977, seven couples began a home Bible study in the

Bear Creek area of West Houston. They had a vision for a

new church that would serve this community. Not just the

community that was already there, but the community

that would be there in the future. At that time, the area

had only a few neighborhoods and fewer businesses

clustered along the Highway 6 corridor. However, they saw

the potential as Houston continued to grow westward for

new neighborhoods, homes, and most importantly, new

people who needed Christ. They had a vision for greater

things.

The founding families Church in the Kindercare Our first baptism in a pool

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2001

In 1978, this small Bible study became

a mission worshipping in a KinderCare

on Clay Road across the street from

an empty field that would one day be

their church. They sacrificed, loading

and unloading an old school bus with

everything they needed for church

each Sunday because they had a

vision for greater things.

By 1981 they would buy that empty

field, build a building, and begin

life together as a church with over

275 members. Over the next twenty

years, they would continue to see

the greater things of the Kingdom

become reality. They would continue

to build, reach, and make disciples.

As they celebrated twenty years of

church life in 2001, they looked back

and saw the amazing work of God

because of the faith of seven couples

in greater things.

averageSundayattendace

897

2,141churchmembership

ministryspace

57,000 square feet

A SNAPSHOT AT 20 YEARS

land

11 acresbaptisms (1981-2001)

1,216

land

• 1977 - Seven couples began a Thursday evening Bible study in

the Highway 6/Clay Road area of West Houston.

• 1978 - Sunday morning worship and Bible study found a

temporary home in the KinderCare across from our future first

home on Clay Road.

• 1980 - The mission church completed construction of the first

9,000 square foot worship/education building project on 7

acres for a total cost of $550,000 including land.

• 1981 - Bear Creek Baptist Church was officially constituted as a

Southern Baptist Church with more than 275 charter members

and budget gifts of approximately $233,204 for the church year.

• 1984 - The church opened a 15,000 square foot education

building to expand our discipleship reach at a cost of $450,000.

• 1991 - The Bear Creek family voted to build an 800 seat worship/

office building for $1,600,000 providing great spiritual impact

in the Bear Creek community.

• 1998 - We completed the final phase of our 7 acre property

with a $1,250,000 gymnasium, making possible even greater

ministry to the community through recreation and sports.

2001MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

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After twenty years of incredible ministry,

Bear Creek was landlocked and reaching

capacity in our ministry space. This faith

family could have chosen to believe that

greater things were behind them, but they

refused. The same vision that sparked seven

couples to start a church in West Houston

caused Bear Creek to look again for a

solution that expected greater things.

GOD PROVIDED35 ACRES

The only solution would be relocation.

It was a solution that looked for

greater things: greater land for

expanded space and a greater reach

into the crossroads area of West

Houston, Katy, and Cypress. These

greater things would require, not one

but several, miracles to happen.

Real estate experts said our land

needs were impossible. The region

was set to explode with growth and

all of the land was taken or far too

expensive. Yet, God provided 35 acres

at Fry Road and West Little York.

Construction prices were sky

rocketing and the cost estimate for

the total project rose to over $15.8

million. The numbers were becoming

impossible. The only thing that would

allow us to move would be the sale of

our Clay Road campus for full market

price, and church buildings NEVER

sell for full market value. Yet, God

provided another church fully willing

and resourced to pay full market

price.

These are just some of the countless

miracles that allowed us to move into

a first phase facility that was 50%

larger than our previous buildings.

In the first 18 months, Bear Creek

doubled in average attendance and

saw over 1,000 professions of faith.

When we chose to believe in greater

things, God gave us the miracles to

make greater things a reality.

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GOD IS FAITHFUL200% growth in people reached each week.

843 baptisms

2,410new members

3,706total new additions(including children)

nearly 40% of new members joining by baptism

2,600 average Sunday morning attendance

over 600 volunteers involved in ministry

In the last seven years since relocation...

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GOD IS FAITHFUL

over $26 Milliongiven to Kingdom work

In the last seven years since relocation...

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Greater Things is a perfect way to describe our church’s

relationship with God. Since that first little gathering

of seven founding families in a living room over 30

years ago, we’ve been in a continual upward spiral of

God doing greater and greater and greater things in and

through us.

When our church was new and meeting every Sunday

in a daycare on Clay Road, they dared to dream that

they could purchase a bit of land across the street. But

God did even greater things. He provided 11 acres and

building after building for a faith family that believed

Him for greater things.

And then seven years ago, God prompted a vision for

even greater things: A strategic relocation expanded our

borders and expanded our influence from west Houston

to Katy and to Cypress. I’m astounded by what He has

done. Since relocation, our fellowship has nearly tripled

in size, we’ve seen over 850 baptisms, and hundreds

more professions of faith. In the past three years, nearly

40% of the individuals who joined our church did so

by baptism. Many of the people we reach are being

reached for Christ for the first time! In a time when every

denomination, including our own, is in steep decline, it

is amazing to see and feel and experience the greater

things God is doing through us!

This explosive growth has brought its own challenges.

When we constructed our present facility, it was

approximately 50% larger than our previous one – and

still we had to open with two worship services and Bible

study hours. Within three years, we had to add a third

hour of worship and Bible study and then add a modular

building to try to keep up with our growth.

FROMPASTORDAVID

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But now we are facing multiple capacities again, especially

in our preschool, children, and adult areas, as well as in our

parking. We must add significant ministry space for all

these areas in order to continue to reach our community

for Christ and connect people to discipleship.

A recent in-depth study of our ministries suggests that our

need is 27,000 sq. ft. of additional ministry space, as well

as up to 200 additional parking spaces. It is equally

important that we accelerate the pay down of

our present mortgage. We could do all

of this if our faith family were able to

give $5 million, over and above our

present giving, over the next three

years. All new construction

would be debt-free by the end

of the emphasis; our present

mortgage would be reduced

by $2 million; and all of

our age-group ministries

would have the ability

to grow by another 50

percent!

This is an attainable goal!

Here’s how – if we place

our faith in God to do it

through us, and if all of

us offer God something

greater than we’re giving

right now. The best way to

think of it is like a ladder. If

each of us takes a step up to

the next rung, we will be able to

accomplish greater things. Will you

pray about that? Will you have the faith

to ask God to take you to the next level of

generously giving back to His purposes?

This is a generosity initiative for everyone in our church,

not just a select few. It is for you if you have never given

before, and it is for you if you have given to God for

decades. This is an incredible opportunity for you to be

a significant part of reaching a generation for Christ. He

wants to use you! Will you join me in believing in, praying

for, and giving to Greater Things?

“Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do

even greater things than these, because

I am going to the Father.”

(Jesus in John 14:12)

FROMPASTORDAVID

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WORSHIPGOd PASSIONATELY

GROWTOGETHER AUTHENTICALLY

SERVEOTHERS SACRIFICIALLY

Our mission is to make fully devoted, fully developing disciples of Jesus Christ.

Our vision is to be a relevant environment of life-change where every person is moved to...

SHARECHRIST EVERYWHERE

OUR VISION

Our mission and vision drive everything we do at Bear Creek and that includes the objectives

of Greater Things. Our ability to reach the people of our community for Christ and connect

them to discipleship is tied greatly to our ability to provide life-change environments. The

projects for Greater Things are about expanding our ability to connect people to these

powerful life-change environments for discipleship.

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GROWTOGETHER AUTHENTICALLY

SHARECHRIST EVERYWHERE

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BECAUSE OF THE GROWTH GOD HAS BLESSED BEAR CREEK WITH, WE ARE REACHING CAPACITIES IN SEVERAL AREASmost critically, in preschool, children, and parking.

We also have an urgent need to greatly expand

adult grow groups in order to connect and disciple

the many adults who have come over the past 6

years. As we continue to grow, these capacities

will limit our ability to reach people for Christ and

connect them to discipleship. Over the past year,

we have sought wisdom from God and the counsel

of others in how to understand and address this

challenge including...

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• an in-depth space and growth study with a

highly experienced church discipleship expert

• advice and counsel from the Finance Committee

feedback from ministry staff and volunteer

ministry leaders

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UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDThis process of study and prayer has identified clear needs and exciting opportunities.

We are at or near capacities in these three discipleship areas. Of our four age

groups, only students have the room to significantly grow in their current

format. Children and Preschool Grow Groups are at crucial stages at our key

hours. The large number of unchurched people reached over the past seven

years has created a huge need for expanded adult ministry. Even with the

addition of the modular building last year, many more rooms are needed to

connect these adults to Grow Groups.

ExPANDED DISCIPLESHIP SPACE FOR CHILDREN, PRESCHOOLERS, AND ADULTS

ADDITIONAL PARKINGParking quickly becomes the unnoticed obstacle for many churches.

difficulty finding a parking space or long waits getting on and off of the

parking lot can ruin a person’s first impression. Consider that most new

guests decide in the first seven minutes whether they will come back to our

church or not. Much of that first impression is found before they ever get

into a seat in the worship center or in a Grow Group.

P

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ExPANDED DISCIPLESHIP SPACE FOR CHILDREN, PRESCHOOLERS, AND ADULTS

ADDITIONAL PARKING

SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF OUR CURRENT INDEBTEDNESS

The finance committee and leadership of Bear Creek are committed to

accelerating the elimination of our current mortgage as aggressively as

possible. Eliminating our debt will eventually free up more resources for

ministry or needed expansion in the future. The economic crisis of 2008 and

slow recovery delayed much needed progress in that area. Now is the time

to make a strategic effort toward this goal.

$

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ExTERIOR VIEW

THE GREATER THINGSVISION

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FIRST FLOOR

SECOND FLOOR

We believe God is ready to do even greater things through us than He has done in the

past. This promise from Jesus in John 14:12 is the foundation of the Greater Things

Vision. If we give faithfully toward Greater Things:

• We will significantly reduce our present mortgage.

• We will add 27,000 sq.ft. of critical ministry space, which will be debt-free by the

conclusion of the three-year project.

• Our age-group ministries will have the capacity to grow by an additional 50 percent.

• Most importantly, we will continue to see God use Bear Creek to significantly

impact our community with the Gospel of Christ.

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New Drive

New

Park

ing

New Parking

Plantation Grove Tr.

Ran

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anyo

n D

r.

N. Fry R

d.

NewAddition

ExistingChurch

BAYRCHITECTSA

IBI GROUP-

3/8/2013 10:09:37 AM

SITE PLANBEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH ADDITION

0' 80' 160'320'NORTH

Scale 1" = 160'-0"

ACCELERATED REDUCTION OF MORTGAGE PRINCIPAL $1,000,000

The 2006 relocation project, including the purchase of 35 acres of land

and the 95,000 sq.ft. first phase building, cost $15.8 million. Our current

indebtedness is approximately $6.7 million, which is roughly twice our yearly

budget. This accelerated principal reduction, along with our regular monthly

payments, will reduce our mortgage by $2 million over the next 3 years.

PRESCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S CLASSROOM WING (16,000 S.F.) $2,275,000

The first wing will give our crowded preschool and children’s areas each

eight new classrooms. These 16 total rooms effectively become 32 addition-

al classrooms over two ministry hours. Each of these ministry areas would

be able to grow by an amazing 50 percent with this expanded space. If we

are unable to add this wing, these areas will be completely out of space to

grow in the next 18 months.

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP AND ADULT CLASSROOM WING (11,600 S.F.) $1,725,000

The second wing brings our children’s worship area into proximity with our

children’s Bible study area. This will greatly enhance security by putting all

of our children on the second floor in one single area. If we are able to add

this wing, then the present Blast building becomes available for additional

ministry. Expanded student ministry or additional worship venues are both

possibilities for this available space.

This wing also expands our Adult Grow Group ministry by seven additional

rooms (14, if utilized in two ministry hours). For the first time since relocation,

we will have the space to aggressively reach adults for discipleship/Bible

study groups.

ADDITIONAL PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH $320,000

We already feel the parking “squeeze!” If we commit even more than $5

million, then adding additional parking becomes a possibility. Plans currently

include up to 200 additional parking spaces in the front of our facility and a

third drive to Fry Road that exits into the southbound lanes.

TOTAL FOR GREATER THINGS

$5,320,000

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New Drive

New

Park

ing

New Parking

Plantation Grove Tr.

Ran

ch C

anyo

n D

r.

N. Fry R

d.

NewAddition

ExistingChurch

BAYRCHITECTSA

IBI GROUP-

3/8/2013 10:09:37 AM

SITE PLANBEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH ADDITION

0' 80' 160'320'NORTH

Scale 1" = 160'-0"

ACCELERATED REDUCTION OF MORTGAGE PRINCIPAL $1,000,000

PRESCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S CLASSROOM WING (16,000 S.F.) $2,275,000

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP AND ADULT CLASSROOM WING (11,600 S.F.) $1,725,000

ADDITIONAL PARKING TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH $320,000

TOTAL FOR GREATER THINGS

$5,320,000

What if we do not raise the full amount needed?

We will call on our Finance Committee to recommend to our church a responsible course of action for the use of the committed

funds. Mortgage debt reduction will be the first priority. A combination of building needs and additional parking will be considered

next. We will ask our church to vote to approve the final building/financial plan before construction.

A Note About Construction Estimates

The estimates above are based on our architect’s best estimates in consultation with commercial construction experts a few months

ago. Cost estimates are often inexact because they are fixed in time, and thus cannot account for the ever-changing market

pressures. As cost estimates fluctuate, our Finance Committee will continue to adjust the scope of this project to keep us in a

financially healthy place.

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Greater Things is a discipleship process more than a

fundraising campaign. It is about shaping our hearts to be the

generous, faith-filled people God desires us to be. Go through

the daily prayer guide. Allow God to speak to your heart and

challenge you. Ask Him what He is calling you to do in this

area of your life during this season. Seek His direction, and

ask Him for the faith to follow that direction.

With God’s leadership, make a commitment. don’t just commit

to an amount, but to a change. Look at the generosity ladder.

Can you step one rung up on the ladder? What does that

mean for your life? What sacrifices does that require? How

does God have to provide in your life for that to be real? Make

a commitment to take that step in faith.

Giving is what takes our commitment and our faith and makes

it real. Generosity is one of the fundamental keys to a Christ-

centered life. It requires faith, sacrifice, and vision. View each

gift you have pledged as a step on that faith journey. Begin

by making the first step. Maybe God is leading you to make

that first step a leap by giving something abundant. Let God

direct that step and give the way He leads you.

COMMIT

GIVE

FIRST TIME

PRAY

OCCASIONAL

INTENTIONAL

TITHING

ABUNDANT

WHAT SHOULDYOU DO?

GENEROSITY LADDERGreater things in our faith family won’t be accomplished because

the wealthiest gave or because the ones who always give gave

more. Greater things will come if every one of us takes a sacrificial,

generous step of faith. Where are you on the generosity ladder?

Can you commit to move up one rung on that ladder?

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SUNDAY MAY 5THOn Sunday, May 5, we will have a special worship celebration to culminate Greater Things. We are asking

every person at Bear Creek to go through this process and allow God to shape their commitment and

their gifts. On May 5 we will make these commitments together to the Lord using a card like the one

you see here on this page. This commitment has three parts.

Resolve to move up on the generosity ladder. Where is your current level of generosity and giving back

to God? How is God leading you to move forward with that commitment?

A COMMITMENT TO STEP FORWARD IN FAITH

A THREE-YEAR GIVING COMMITMENTYou will receive a worksheet with your commitment card. Use the worksheet to figure out how advancing

your giving to the next level for three years can have a multiplied effect. You may be amazed at what you

can do by simply giving to God in a greater way over time. Will you commit to this level of generosity

for three years? Ask God to help you make a commitment that stretches your faith.

A ONE-TIME GIFTWhether you are a tithing giver wanting to give a generous and sacrificial gift or a first time giver who

wants to get started giving back to God, you can make a one-time gift outside of your regular giving.

This could be a gift of some stock or property, the proceeds of a garage sale, or the fruit of some single

sacrifice in your life. Imagine the power of giving if over 1,000 families made some sort of sacrificial gift.

A NOTE ABOUT THESE COMMITMENTSThe Greater Things pledges are faith commitments we make together as a church toward the purpose

of God. They are not legally binding and can be changed or canceled if needed based on your life

circumstances. Your individual commitment is confidential and will not be published or shared in anyway.

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FAQHow do I participate in Greater Things?

First and foremost, pray. Ask God for direction about what He would have you do. Allow God to speak to you

through the Bible studies in Grow Groups, the Sunday morning messages, and the prayer guide. Be open to how

He directs your faith, and respond to His leadership about making a three-year commitment to give.

How soon would construction begin?

While we cannot give an exact time frame, construction could begin as early as this fall. The timing depends on

many factors including the amount committed, a subsequent vote by our faith family to approve construction,

the design process, and other construction factors.

When would we move into the new building?

We would expect to be able to move into a building approximately 9-12 months after construction begins. This

timeline is dependent primarily on construction processes that are beyond our direct control.

How does this affect my regular giving?

Any commitment to Greater Things should be in addition to your regular giving to the ongoing ministry of Bear

Creek. Our hope is that every person, whether they have never given to church before or are committed tithers,

can find a way to participate by moving their giving at least one step forward to greater generosity.

What should I give?

No other person can tell you what to give. Start by acknowledging your current level of giving faithfulness to

God and asking Him to show you ways to go beyond that. Look for creative ways to increase your ability to give

or sacrifices that you can make in order to invest in the Kingdom of God. Every person has a different capacity

to give, and each of our gifts should be generous, sacrificial, and faith-inspired in comparison to our capacity.

What kind of commitment am I being asked to make?

We are asking you to make a three-year commitment to give at a level greater than what you already give. No

one person or small group of people can accomplish these faith goals by themselves, but there is great power if

every person makes a commitment to give to Greater Things.

Can I change my commitment later?

These commitments are not legally binding, but they should be real commitments. Pray and seek direction to

make a real faith-led commitment. If life circumstances change, you can increase or decrease your commitment

to match your circumstances. Simply seek to be faithful to God’s leadership and provision in your life.

How can I give?

While most gifts will be weekly or monthly gift commitments, you can also give single gifts of stock, cash, or

property. This type of gift isn’t reserved for those with large assets. Some families choose to have garage sale,

skip a vacation, or make some other sacrifice in order to give a greater gift.

How does this project affect our church’s overall financial health?

Bear Creek is in a healthy financial situation, and this project will actually make it significantly better by making

a substantial reduction in our current mortgage and allowing us to continue to grow as a faith family. decisions

about what to build will be made by the finance committee based on what has been committed. We will not

build more than we can afford.

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Now To HIm wHo IS AblETo Do ImmEASURAbly moRE THAN All wE ASk oR ImAGINE

EPHESIANS 3:20

FAQ

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GREATER THINGS

BEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH

5901 North Fry Road

Katy, Texas 77449

bearcreekchurch.tv

greaterthings.tv