Ministry Financial Update from ROC

Hello once again from your Resource Oversight Committee (ROC) - the team of Ruling Elders who monitor the financial health of Central’s ministry. In our last communication we shared with you that church-wide giving continued to lag behind our ministry budget level, and some of the steps we were taking to manage the situation. As November begins, we thought it would be helpful to let you know how things are going since our last update.

Giving Status Since September
In our last update, we shared that we had received $2,193,600 toward our total annual budget of $4,693,000 (through August 31st). Since then, we have received an additional $750,000 through October 31st (approximately $420k in September and $330k in October). This brings our total year-to-date to approximately $2,943,600. In summary:

• Giving YTD through October 31: ~ $2.943 million
• Total Ministry Budget for 2025: ~ $4.693 million

The Lord’s Ministry Continues
As we come down the home stretch of 2025, we are encouraged by how the Lord is at work through our ministry. Last week, we disbursed our 4th and final quarterly payments for 2025 to our dozens of missionaries down the block and around the world. These disbursements provide critical resources to our missionaries, empowering them to continue to spread the gospel in their respective geographies. Even though our finances are tighter than normal here at “home”, we continue to invest in these mission-critical areas. We trust that the Lord will continue to provide what we need for our ongoing ministry to continue.

We also continue to give thanks for the Lord’s work through our ongoing ministry here on our Clayton campus. Our staff team faithfully provides us with an excellent worship experience every Sunday; a wide range of Bible studies throughout the week; Wednesday Community Nights with incredible food; and many different special events that serve both our flock and our community. Our staff are serving in a season where resources are tighter than normal due to the rising costs of goods, materials and services. We are thankful to God for their faithfulness and industriousness as we work through our current fiscal challenges.

Bottom-line Wisdom
While we are committed to fully funding our 2025 ministry plans, we are also continuing to look for ways to trim expenses where possible. As noted in our last update, we are grateful to report that we have found an improved property insurance policy. This new policy will reduce our 2025 expenses by at least $20,000. On the staffing side, our team continues to absorb and reorganize duties when team members leave. These efforts will result in additional savings of at least $25,000 this year. We want to assure you that we are doing as much as we can to keep our expenses as low as possible without compromising the quality or quantity of our 2025 ministry.

Finishing Strong
Later this month, Pastor Clay will announce this year’s December “goal” – the amount needed to finish the year on budget. It will be a big challenge for us this year, and it will require all of us who are able to join in. Some of you among us are blessed with tremendous financial capacity. Perhaps this is a year when you might do something extra-special to help us close the gap. We also want to acknowledge that some of you among us may be experiencing financial hardships. Please do not feel burdened or guilted to help. Rather, contact our confidential care team at to talk about your situation and how your church family might be able to help you. We are blessed to be a blessing!

As Psalm 50 declares, the Lord’s resources are limitless. His are the cattle on a thousand hills. As we look to Him for His faithful provision once again this year, we invite you to pray with us for a strong finish this year, one that allows our ministry legacy to continue and expand into the future with strength and anointing. May His legacy continue to transform our lives, our communities and the world through the resources that He has assembled among us.

Thank you!

2025 Resource Oversight Committee Ruling Elders
Pat Stark, Ruling Elder
John McGowan, Ruling Elder
Victor Kats, Ruling Elder