PASADENA—As we review finances for 2005, I want to thank each of you who have donated to the WCG, either through offerings to your congregation or by sending your donations directly to Pasadena.

Through our combined financial efforts and prayers we accomplished much toward sharing the gospel of our Savior. Here are some highlights we can celebrate together as we look back on 2005 with a financial overview of the year.

New believers,
new congregations

The WCG welcomed more than 1,000 new believers who gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized in 2005. Twenty-two new congregations were planted in 2005, including 10 in Africa, seven in the United States, four in the Philippines and one in the United Kingdom.

Conferences and training

Your donations made possible nine regional conferences throughout the United States to provide training for pastors and ministry leaders in strategic planning, mentoring, youth ministry and other topics.

Two district superintendent conferences allowed superintendents time to share information and make plans for 2006 with headquarters personnel.

U.S. pastors and their wives, other church leaders from around the world and headquarters personnel met at a national pastors conference for fellowship, training and to consider together the future role of our denomination in the larger body of Christ.

Mission work

Our combined donations helped mission staff plant churches and train pastors to serve in the harvest fields of Asia, Africa and elsewhere.

The church sought in 2005 to better serve and reach our Hispanic brothers and sisters in the United States in their outreach and church planting efforts.

Spiritual Enrichment camps

About 840 young people attended nine Spiritual Enrichment Program (SEP) camps last year in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina and Washington.

SEP camps offered youths the opportunity to meet new friends and participate in wholesome activities in an environment focused on Jesus. More than 100 campers were baptized. These life-changing camps are made possible by your donations.

Helping those in need

Together we donated more than $300,000 to assist our brothers and sisters in the path of hurricane Katrina. Along with cash donations, many volunteered time and materials and worked alongside those in need.

To prepare for future disasters, we also established the WCG Disaster Relief Fund at headquarters so some funds will be available in the event of future natural disasters.

Media outreach

Our combined donations helped make possible this publication and Christian Odyssey, which shares the gospel in an exciting new format.

The church website, www.wcg.org, was expanded and streamlined as an increasingly valuable resource for members, pastors and others learning more about the Christian walk or keeping up with the latest church events. During 2005, this site was accessed about 300,000 times.

Administration

Our combined donations in 2005 provided the essential administration and infrastructure that benefits all congregations and members. Pastor General Joseph Tkach visited congregations in the United States and abroad to provide spiritual leadership and to encourage members.

He attended conferences with various groups including the National Association of Evangelicals and Mission America.

Our donations also fund the church administration staff, who supervise, support and equip pastors, as well as provide essential financial management, accounting, legal, computer and human resources, payroll and risk management services to the church. 

2005 financial review

In 2005, under the new financial model, funding for the operation of denominational headquarters was budgeted to come primarily from apportionment income from WCG congregations ($3.5 million), other general donations ($1.675 million), investments ($521,000) and estate donations ($350,000). 

All major income categories met or exceeded expectations by year-end. Apportionment income was about even with budget expectations, general donations exceeded budget by about $200,000, and estate donations topped budget expectations by $900,000.

The expense side of the operations budget has been a major challenge. Costs associated with the delay in moving to the new headquarters facility dramatically increased expenses in the second half of 2005. Permit and construction delays made it necessary to pay rent, utilities, salaries and other expenses that were not contemplated in the 2005 budget. In addition, health care costs put pressure on the expense side of the equation.

These and other expenses made it necessary to use some reserves to complete 2005. Please pray for wisdom for church board members who are wrestling with difficult budget adjustments that must be made in 2006. 

Thank you for your love of our Savior, your prayers and your consistent financial support of the church so that others may experience him.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2006