STEP OF FAITH…LEAP OF FAITH…IT’S ALL FAITH

This Sunday JIBC will vote at the 8:30 and the 11:00 service concerning the purchase of the “Psaras/Attic Treasures” building and property. Please feel free to call the office and speak to any of our staff members if you have questions (762-0244). You may also call Ronnie Cooper, Dean Kelly or Bob Chambless. We will be glad to provide as much information as we can.

Summary: The property is currently owned by Marvin and Julie Sineath. They live in Riverland Terrace and have owned the property for decades. Once they decided to sell, I believe it pleased them to know the property will remain associated with Riverland Terrace and in particular, James Island Baptist. The terms we have agreed upon are as follow: $350,000, with $20,000 down, owner financed at 6% for 15 years. We are currently developing a short term, 3 year plan for the property that will allow us time to develop the long term plan. The building is an old building and will require quite a bit of work to get it prepared for the first part of the plan. Our goal is to close by July 1 or as close to that date as we can.

This decision started when Mr. Sineath informed us of the buildings availability. He had talked for years of his desire for the church to have this property. We, of course, were very interested. We are land locked with little to no viable options to build or increase parking. A former plan developed years ago, required taking 1/3 of our parking area for any additional building. That really was not a desirable option. Parking space is a premium. Once we knew it was a possibility, we talked to a few leaders and then sent the idea to our finance team. The finance team then set a meeting. At the meeting was the staff pastors, Ronnie Cooper, Dean Kelly, Bob Chambless (Mr. Sineath knew Bob and requested he attend). There were several meetings after that with this team. We were united in our desire to purchase the property. We then called a meeting of all church leadership. That group unanimously voted to recommend that we purchase the property. Now, this Sunday, we bring this to the church family for a vote. Sunday, will be just a straight forward yes or no vote, similar to what we do for our church missions and ministry budget. All of us are available for any questions and will be glad to try and provide as much information as you might need.

I see this property becoming a multi-purpose use building. I am not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I believe it will one day host the largest youth events on the island and will be the site of yet another new church started by JIBC. To God be the glory.

By the way, a special thanks to Sean for preaching this great series on Conversations with Jesus. It has been helpful to me personally to hear the Word. It has also been very helpful by allowing me a break in my schedule so I can plan the next series of messages I will preach. I am pleased to have such a competent and dedicated staff.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing,

Pastor Tom

OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ADJACENT PROPERTY

On Saturday, May 31, Attic Treasures, the business across the street on the Wappoo side, closed their business. It is the “Psaras” building that was an antique/consignment store. The owners, Marvin and Julie Sineath have always said they would give JIBC the first right of refusal on the property. Our first meeting with Mr. Sineath was sometime around the middle of May. He was checking on our interest and still deciding if he wanted to sell or lease the building. We were and are absolutely interested in buying the property. 

As you know, JIBC is land locked on this small triangle. We are limited in parking and building space. You may remember that we purchased the Transition House years ago with the idea of making it into additional parking space. Since then, we have used it to house Sr. Adults, VBS classes, a family in need, and now, the Transition House. It was a wise purchase with no down side. That is how we feel about this property.

Here are the three things I think you will be most interested in. First, the terms of the agreement requested by Mr. Sineath are $350,000, with $20,000 down, owner financed at 6% for 15 years. We only received the final decision from Mr. Sineath last week. He and Mrs. Sineath have owned this property for decades and he was not sure if he wanted to sell or not. The final decision to sell, I think, was based on his declining health and his desire to see the future of the building in local hands, particularly JIBC. By the way, this is very close to the price we paid for the Transition House.

Second, once Mr. Sineath made the decision to sell, he wanted the transaction done quickly. He is still paying taxes and insurance on an unoccupied building. It is his desire to close on July 1. I tried to schedule closing closer to the church anniversary on July 13…just as a historic and symbolic gesture. He thought that was nice, but needs to close on July 1. That gives us less than a month to decide and act. Not our preference, but our reality.

We will meet with all church leadership on Wednesday, June 18 and present our recommendation to the church on Sunday, June 29 at both services. We would prefer to have a little more notice. That was not an option since there were others buyers waiting. We really do not want much time to go by if you know what I mean. I wish we could keep this completely silent in the community until after the fact.

Third, we will start to build a short term plan (the next two or three years) for the building that will include bringing it up to code. This will give us time to build a long term ministry and mission plan. I can imagine a gathering place for the Youth called The Warehouse, a space for another church family… like the Chinese church, a multi-purpose use facility that could house all our church wide dinners with room for everyone, an indoor place large enough for the Awana ministry, etc, etc, etc. I love to dream. It is not difficult to see how this space could be used.

As Dean Kelly says: “this may be a step of faith or a leap of faith”. Either way, we do believe it is the Lord’s blessings.

Pastor Tom