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Ways to Give

We welcome the heart-felt generosity of your tithe or offering in the furtherance of God’s ministry and work among us at Smoke Rise. You may give online now by checking or savings account. 

Text

Give through text, by texting “givesrbc” to 73256 followed by the gift amount to give.

Mail

You may also mail a check to donate tithes and offerings. checks by U.S. mail. Our finance team receives U.S. mail each day and processes mailed gifts each week. Please make checks payable to Smoke Rise Baptist Church. If you need to purchase postage stamps, you may do so at usps.com.

 

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Stock

To give through a transfer of stock, please contact our Finance Manager, Fe Williams in our church office at financeoffice@smokerisebaptist.org or by phone at 678.533.0545.

 

Needs and Dream for Our Smoke Rise Home

Dear Smoke Rise Family of Faith,

To be good financial stewards of the blessing of our large church campus, we rely on several sources that include budgeted giving for routine maintenance expenses, support from our Endowment Fund for unanticipated expenses, church reserves and special giving above and beyond our regular budgeted expenses.

In recent years, as we became aware of beneficial or necessary projects that would have a sustained impact for 20 years or more into the future, we covered the costs of these projects from one or more of those sources. On behalf of our building and grounds committee, we want to make you aware of several needed undertakings as well as some “dream projects” that will impact our church for many years to come.

In some cases, the projects listed below are essential to our long-term operations. In other cases, we believe completion of these projects will make our church better and stronger. To complete these projects we will need gifts above and beyond regular giving. To that end, I ask you to prayerfully consider the part you might play as we continue to care for and improve our campus and infrastructure.

Should you have any questions or desire more details about any of these projects, do not hesitate to reach out to our church office, and we will put you in touch with a representative of our building and grounds team.

With gratitude for God’s faithfulness,

Pastor Chris

Digital Sound Board - $30,000

Our worship service live stream is an essential ministry for our church community, connecting us with over 250 viewers each week. This digital outreach extends beyond individual households, as we also have satellite ministries that gather to watch our services together at assisted living facilities. This ministry ensures that everyone can participate in our worship and feel a part of our church family despite distance or physical limitations. As our streaming ministry continues to grow, we are regularly adding new members and associate members to our church family.

Smoke Rise has made substantial investments in digital streaming services and equipment over the last several years. Although we have managed to tweak older sound boards so that they will work with the newer digital streaming equipment, we are reaching the end of the service life of our older boards. Our current sound boards and the wiring hub that supports each board are more than 20 years old. These boards run on a dated stereo/analog feed. After many years of patching things to extend the life our older sound boards, we realize the time has come to fully upgrade to a new generation of digital sound boards that will improve our sound quality in the sanctuary and for our online worship streaming for many years to come.

15 Passanger Van - $60,000

Our youth and children’s programs, including trips to Passport camp and retreats, require reliable transportation with the highest level of modern safety features we can reasonably obtain. The revitalized adult travel group demands dependable transport for day trips and events. A new fifteen passenger van will provide peace of mind for parents and leaders and will also expand our ability to offer diverse outings while ensuring safe and comfortable travel for all.

The church currently has only one 15-passenger minibus in service, which we continue to maintain to extend its life and use. A second mini-transit option for up to 15 passengers that includes safety and efficiency upgrades is needed and a third mini-transit down the road as our remaining 15 passenger bus comes closer to being taken out of service.

The Ford Transit 15 Passenger Van XLT model is an industry-best for safety and reliability and is currently a “go-to model” for congregations similar in size and with needs like those of Smoke Rise. The model we will purchase will be an upgrade from the base model to include a dual rear wheel add-on that significantly reduces rollover risk and increases stability on the highway, as well as having an extended capacity for luggage hauling on longer trips with youth and children.

Outside A/C Unit - $120,000

A properly functioning HVAC system ensures a comfortable and welcoming environment for our congregation, staff, and visitors. Our services, community gatherings, and events rely on a well-regulated indoor climate, especially during the sweltering summer months. A reliable HVAC system not only improves the experience of worship but also supports our various ministries, educational programs, and outreach efforts. As we face the inevitable replacement of our aging chiller unit, investing in a new, energy-efficient model will help us maintain a hospitable atmosphere while also being stewards of our resources.

For the past 27 years, the church has relied on and maintained a large outdoor chiller unit for our HVAC system. A professional estimate on the remaining service life of the chiller is three years or less. The current HVAC chiller needs to be replaced with a more energy-efficient and environmentally safe chiller, as the current chiller is expected to reach the end of its service life. This upgrade will help lower utility costs against rising inflation for many years to come.

Memory Garden Courtyard Windows - $50,000

Our Building and Grounds committee is recommending that we replace 34 windows in the Memory Garden Courtyard area between the sanctuary building and the fellowship hall building with maintenance-free CPVC windows with insulated glass and new framing which will yield much improved energy performance. The present windows on the church office side of the sanctuary are original to the building and in serious need of replacement. The other windows, many of which are clouded due to leakage, are less efficient.

The new windows will enhance the architectural character of the courtyard, which will enhance the beauty of our columbarium garden area. Maintaining the beauty of our church memorial garden is essential for honoring those we remember and providing a serene place for reflection and solace. This garden serves as a sacred space where people can come to find peace and comfort. By preserving this tranquil area, we uphold the values of our community, offering a sanctuary of remembrance and a place of quiet contemplation for all who visit.

Pavilion - $260,000

As we look to the future, we want to create a covered 2,400 square foot pavilion near our church playground which can facilitate outdoor activities and events for fellowship and worship. Initially, the pavilion project was a part of our Refresh Campaign of more than eight years ago. But more pressing needs meant the project was never completed.

The pavilion can serve as a gathering place for our church family and community members, whether sharing a meal during Octoberfest or enjoying coffee at our Easter parties. It offers a versatile space for worship, learning, and service, enhancing our ability to host summer activities for children and youth in a safe and engaging environment. By providing a dedicated outdoor venue, the pavilion will foster fellowship and strengthen our community bonds, enriching both the spiritual and social life of our congregation.

Parking Lot Repairs - $18,400

Hosting large community events such as the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, the Brookwood Cluster Holiday Choir Concert, the Dekalb School of the Arts Choral Concert, and others presents Smoke Rise with a wonderful opportunity for our church to support and engage with our community. Since these events draw significant crowds, it is essential that we have all our parking spaces safe and available to accommodate our guests.

To ensure this, we are planning necessary repairs and maintenance for our bus barn parking lot. This project will include sealcoating all asphalt surfaces with two overlapping coats of premium PolyTar Polymer-Modified Coal Tar Sealer, restriping all markings with durable acrylic latex traffic marking paint, and filling cracks between 3/8” and 1″ with Deery hot-applied crackseal material. These improvements will help maintain the longevity of our parking areas and ensure a safe, well-maintained space for our congregation and guests, reinforcing our commitment to a welcoming and accessible environment.

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