Financial Crisis threatens the Crystal City church of Christ

May 12, 1999

Dear Beloved Family of God:

It is a joy and a comfort to know that Almighty God is in control of our world. Even though times are changing and our world is becoming more and more chaotic the God of the Most High is still in control. Things are going well for us here in the area of evangelism, but our efforts are threatened by a financial crisis. Our building has been remodeled and all we need to do now is paint. The total costs for the reconstruction was just over $10,000, and we have a bank note balance of $5,287.55.

Before I came to Crystal City, Texas to reestablish the church of Christ here everything was in disorder. No one knew who had the deed to the church properties which include our building of worship, bible study annex, and the preacher's residence. The entire property sits on one square city block and was paid in full many years ago by the McGlothlin family of Abilene, Texas. Before my arrival I requested that the brethren who were soliciting me to come to work in Crystal City obtain the church property deed and form a board of trustees to guard the ownership of the property until the Crystal City church of Christ could be reestablished with its own leadership. The understanding is that the property deed would then be turned back over to the Crystal City church of Christ. This was done since the soliciting brethren belong to churches of Christ who have no Eldership. The last person or persons holding the deed to the church were no longer living in Crystal City or even had contact with the local church.

At present our bank account is at about $11.00, and the property trustees are considering selling the preacher's residence and about half of the church property unless I come up with the moneys to keep the local church solvent. We have done much since our first worship service on December 27, 1998, but the lack of money is what has put the trustees in great alarm.

This panic is depressing to me since the Lord has allow me to work without a salary here to this point, but even now I find myself with less and less income from my Internet and computer work. As much as I hate to say this I had to tell the church property trustees that I have been giving over half of the churches weekly contributions in order for them to reconsider selling any of the church's property. I am currently doing my best to find the financial support needed to stay working here until January 1, 2001. At that time the church should be in a position to financially support another preacher on a full-time basis.

There are a number of churches of Christ that would financially support me, but they either require that we have an established Eldership or that I have a sponsoring Eldership for my work as an Evangelist and missionary in Crystal City, Texas. I have neither of the two, and pray that an Eldership with vision and love for the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus would hear our call.

If you and your congregation would like to help us financially please let me know. I am willing to travel and make our plea to your church and your Elders.

If your church is not able to financially support me as an Evangelist then I ask that you would help us pay off our construction loan by sending your moneys to our church or to:

Zavala County Bank
Attn.: Mr. Leeper, Vice President
401 W. Zavala St.
P.O. Drawer B
Crystal City, TX 78839

Loan Account #74-2664910 in the name of Church of Christ.

Please notify me of any payments that you have made or plan to make on behalf of the church of Christ in Crystal City, Texas. You may write to me at the address below.

If your church has an Eldership and they have the vision of spreading the Gospel of Jesus please contact me a.s.a.p. The sponsoring Eldership does not have to provide me with any moneys, but at least be willing to administer any moneys that are sent to me as an Evangelist of the Lord's church.

For more details regarding our efforts in Crystal City, Texas visit our web site at http://church-of-christ.org/CrystalCity/newsletter. Please keep the church of Christ in Crystal City and me in your prayers. This panic has caused me much stress.

May the grace of God, the love of Jesus, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be with you and your family forever.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

E-mail questions or comments to: garcia@church-of-christ.org

The church of Christ at Crystal City

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Last updated on 5/12/1999