The Randolph Street Project giving, tied to our regular giving, is designed to prepare our local church for our next chapter of ministry on the West Side of Charleston. This campaign will fund the purchase of 210 Virginia Street and allow us expand our outreach to the community, give us additional space to encourage fellowship, expand our space for training classes and student/children’s ministry, and increase parking and security for our Lord’s Day Gathering. Below are several benefits of this property for the future of our ministry.
Fellowship Hall: This space would give us over 4,000 square feet of open space to seat up to 250 for dinners for our church family. Our current area used for dinners is just under 1750 square feet and can seat around 115 people. We love the idea of having a dedicated area where families can hang out after our Gathering and eat together, and a space in which our entire church family can sit down together over a meal.
Community Outreach: Over the last 15 years, we have invested significant funding toward regional and global gospel efforts. That is not going to change. But now, there is a burden on our elders to grow our gospel outreach efforts toward our local community. This facility will give us a space to invite our community into our building in order to declare and demonstrate the love of Christ to our neighbors. For example, we have discussed dinners for widows and elderly, outreach events for those in need, and a partnership with Hope for Appalachia to serve families affected by the addiction crisis. All of the above are to provide opportunities to show the love of Christ and preach the gospel of Christ to our neighborhood.
Student and Children’s Ministry: This space could be used on Sunday evenings for Student ministry and for special events in our children’s ministry (VBS, Back to School, etc.).
Adult Classroom: This space could serve as a additional large adult classroom for Sunday morning Training Hour.
Outdoor Recreation Space: This property would allow us to create over to 3000 sq/ft of fenced outdoor recreation area for our church family. This outdoor space could be used for post Gathering play space for our children, a gathering spot for young families during the week, VBS, 3rd Sunday family nights, and other activity oriented gatherings.
Events: This facility would also give our members a larger space for use for receptions, parties, and various events.
Parking: This purchase would give us up to 20 additional parking spaces for our Sunday Gatherings.
Security: This purchase would allow us to fence and secure the areas of our property that have been problematic over the last decade.
How much are we seeking to raise and how will the funds be used?
Our goal is to raise $450,000 above and beyond our regular giving over the next three years. Over this period of time, the campaign funds, combined with our regular giving and conservative budgets, will be used to significantly reduce or retire the debt on the property, build a connector from our current facility to the new building, install security fencing, and create the outdoor recreation space.
Can we raise over $450,000 in three years?
This will be a challenge for our local church, but we believe this is an important step for the future generations of Randolph Street and our ministry to our local community. It is our goal to cheerfully and sacrificially give as we trust the Lord to accomplish His purpose through this effort. As of February 2024, we have 121 member units or families. We are asking all 121 member units to prayerfully consider how you might participate in this project. As one pastor said, “It’s not about equal giving among all members but equal sacrifice.”
What is the process to move forward?
Assuming the completion of all inspections and congregational approval, we will close on the property June 14, 2024. For the first year, we will continue to lease the property to the current tenant. Funds from the lease will more than cover the mortgage, utilities, taxes, and maintenance. This will give us time to complete a significant portion of our capital campaign before we assume the monthly payment alone. With the initial campaign funds, our goal is to put up the security fencing by early Fall 2024 and begin working on the outside recreation areas. This Fall, we will begin planning and securing quotes for the connector between the two buildings. It will be our goal to build the connector and complete inside renovations as soon as the lease with the tenant ends in June 2025 so that we can begin using the facility by Fall 2025.
How can I give?
- Online: https://randolphstreet.tpsdb.
com/Give/virginia-street 
- Check: Please make checks payable to Randolph Street Baptist Church and include “Randolph Street Project” in the memo.
- Stocks: If you choose to transfer assets directly to Randolph Street, you may be able to avoid the capital gains tax and receive a tax deduction for the full market value of the gift. Please talk with our Randolph Street Project Team if you have questions and always seek the advice of a tax professional.
- IRA Accounts: If you have funded an IRA Account and have reached the age where you are required to take a minimum distribution, you may consider making what is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution. This may allow you to give to the Randolph Street Project while reducing taxes paid. Again, please seek advice from a tax professional to best understand your options.
- Randolph Street may also be able to accept the transfer of other non-cash assets, such as land, vehicles, etc. If you are interested in this, please talk to our Randolph Street Project Team.
If you have questions, please contact our Randolph Street Project Team.
When do I need to begin giving my campaign commitment?
Over the next two months, we are asking you to pray, seeking the Lord as to how you might participate in this effort. We will ask you to fill out a commitment form, indicating how much you plan to give over the next three years, and place it in the designated boxes by Sunday, April 7th. You can begin giving toward this effort as soon as April 7th.
Randolph Street Project Team
Russ Bonasso
Andrew Stonestreet
Andrew Dockery
Jason McClanahan
