Financial Update

Experiencing God in new places

Christ Church is experiencing a season of flourishing. From our youngest disciples who just finished their first year of preschool to the opening of the new LIFT Market at the Butterfield campus that provides food and resources to those in need. The generous giving from the congregation makes it possible for people in the congregation to grow in faith, help meet the basic needs of those in our surrounding neighborhoods and provide life-changing love to others across the country and around the world.

Here are just two accounts of how God has moved in the lives of others in the last few months:

Radiating hope in Kenya

I had the privilege of visiting Mathare Community Outreach (MCO) Schools in Nairobi, Kenya, where Dotun Modupe, one of our global partners, is serving. Mathare is one of Nairobi’s oldest and most densely populated informal settlements, with most of its residents surviving on less than $2 a day.

As we stepped inside the classrooms, the sounds of life surrounded us—the scent of street food in the air and children’s laughter echoing between tin-roofed buildings. Inside those classrooms, I was met with bright eyes, and a chorus of children reciting Scripture with passion. As I looked at those children, I found myself asking, “How can they lack so much and still be so full of life?” Almost on cue, the class began reciting Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” At that moment, I realized that these children are not defined by poverty, but by dignity. For in a place so often labeled “hopeless,” they radiate hope. They carry dreams—for their education, for stability and for a better life. But more than that, their story carries a strength that made the walls around them feel like a sanctuary. —Maryclare Beche, Director of Global Relationships

Growing through prayer

As a newer member of Christ Church, I have signed up to serve in ways that I can give back what I have so freely been given. Hearing about the volunteer opportunities in the LIFT Market, I thought hospitality would be where God wants me to serve. He knows how much I love people and how much I love to smile.

I attended a training session where we talked about how important it is to make guests feel welcomed and comfortable and, as we sat and talked with the guests, to ask if there was anything they needed prayer for. I felt so bad but had to ask, "what should I do if they do want someone to pray for them?" I did not know how to do this, and it made me nervous. I was told to let one of the leaders in the room know and they would gladly come over to pray with the guest.

I was introduced to one of the first guests and we sat down at a table waiting for her name to be called. After explaining the market process to her, I asked if there was anything or anyone we could pray for and she said yes, she just lost her sister and her nephew to illness. I was a bit taken aback, overwhelmed with sadness. We gracefully reached out for each other's hands over the table, I closed my eyes and asked God to please come into my heart and speak through me. I could not believe how I knew exactly how to pray over her! I was not nervous, and I knew God was with me. I feel a bit more comfortable each time God gives me the opportunity to pray over someone. He is so amazing! —Linda Olszewski, LIFT Market volunteer

Resources

Financial Statement

This season of ministry and mission would not be possible without your financial support. Although the actual revenue is tracking well over budget based on historical congregational seasonal giving patterns, as compared to a recent revenue budget that is spread evenly over 52 weeks, our actual YTD revenue is under budget by $572,540. Expenses are tracking slightly over budget by $179,815, resulting in a net deficit of $715,350. As planned, we utilized some of the prior year surplus, and the Board approved use of Institutional Funds to pay down the church's mortgage by $2 million as part of the LIFT Initiative. Please join us in praying that our congregation's hearts will be moved toward generous giving so Christ can meet the needs of others through Christ Church's ministries and programs.

Where Does Your Giving Go?

* Ministry includes supporting worship and programs that help adults and children draw closer to God.
** Mission Partners supports more than 65 local and global ministries. The planned 2025 spend is consistent with prior years.
*** Capital Expenses supports the funding of our mortgage, building improvements and the completion of the LIFT initiative, including the $2 million paydown of the church mortgage.

Being Faithful

Being a faithful steward of your financial contributions to the life of the church is essential to my role as the Accounting Director at Christ Church. I am passionate about utilizing our given resources to make the most effective impact for our Christ Church community as well as with our mission partners both locally and globally. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Lana Ferren

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Financial Update | Q1 2025

We are Easter people living in a Good Friday world. –Barbara Johnson

For 60 years the people of Christ Church have believed our world is brimming with redemptive potential. From Sunday mornings, to student gatherings and small groups, God has been doing His work in and through us for the sake of others.

Since January, across all our Sunday gatherings and family ministry offerings we have seen 1,450 more people than last year participate in worship. This past Easter 10,407 worshipped with us in person and online. Something beautiful is happening in our midst!

The first church saw every Sunday as a mini Easter—a reminder of what only God can do. Our prayer is that our friends, family and neighbors who joined us will come back on Sundays and take their next step of faith—finding a hope and love that changes everything!

We’re grateful to all of you who call Christ Church home and the way you open doors, move to the center of your row or pew and make others feel welcome. It’s exciting that in the early months of 2025 we had 142 people locking arms with us as new members—bringing God’s good news to Chicagoland and beyond.

We are looking forward to the days ahead and the beauty, goodness and truth that God will reveal.

Financial Statement

God is also on the move in the congregation's response with His tithes and their offerings to Christ Church. However, as compared to a revenue budget that is spread evenly over 52 weeks, our actual YTD revenue is under budget by $277,308. (Alternatively, as compared to a revenue budget based on the historial congregational seasonal giving patterns, our revenue is actually tracking well over budget). Expenses are tracking slightly under budget resulting in a net deficit of only $195,823. As planned, we utilized some of the prior year surplus and the Board approved use of Institutional Funds to pay down the Church's mortage by $2 million as part of the LIFT Initiative. Please join us in prayer that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in the congregation's heart, resulting in intentional growth in their generosity to Christ Church, thereby supporting the growing programs and ministries.

Where Does Your Giving Go?

* Ministry includes supporting worship and programs that help adults and children draw closer to God.
** Mission Partners supports more than 65 local and global ministries. The planned 2024 spend is consistent with prior years. Included in the Capital Expense number is an amount allocated to the LIFT Center.
*** Capital Expenses supports the funding of our mortgage, building improvements and the LIFT initiative.
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Financial Update | Q4 2024
For He is Good!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story …” –Psalm 107: 1-2

It is a joy to pray about a vision for the church’s future, come together as the body of Christ and to look on in awe at all He has done.

Two years ago, the church leadership presented the LIFT Initiative to catalyze the future to which God was calling us. On January 5, 2025, we paused to celebrate and tell the story of all the Lord has done. If you missed it, you can watch it here.

The #1 goal of the initiative was to invite everyone who calls Christ Church home to LIFT their own faith and discipleship so they can be equipped to LIFT others.

Some of the growth we saw includes:
- Hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students meeting Sundays in big and small group gatherings.
- Almost 500 women gathering on Tuesdays to learn more about Jesus and build life-changing relationships with one another.
- Sunday worshippers have grown in both our Classic and Contemporary expressions.
- Our congregation sacrificed, followed God's leading and gave more than $31.9 million to His vision for our future.
Each number tells a story. Each number is a soul. So many people have shared how God is transforming their lives through the people and ministries of Christ Church. Ryan drew closer to the Lord through challenging circumstances and Lisa experienced the best day of her life when she was baptized. Don't miss these stories–watch them here.

We paid down debt so that we could invest more in ministry. The Christ Church Preschool was relaunched making way for discipling the littlest among us. We made improvements in our meeting and gathering spaces at both campuses.
- The kid's and student spaces were updated, made more accessible for those with disabilities and reconfigured for safety.
- We expanded our commitment to helping families with disabilities by growing our Disability Ministry. We built up our buddy program, added sensory rooms and headphones in worship spaces, included a sensory-friendly hour to the Oh What Fun! Christmas Party and so much more.
- The gym at the Butterfield campus was remodeled, making it a great space for people of all ages to gather and play.
- The Acorn and Oak rooms at the Oak Brook campus were updated to make more room and more beautiful spaces for our congregation and guests.
- The Sanctuary lighting was improved and a leak repaired in the steeple.
- The sound projection systems in the Fellowship Halls in Oak Brook were upgraded.
- Plans are underway to create a LIFT Center at the Butterfield campus to meet the needs of the under resourced and most vulnerable in the surrounding communities.
- And we increased giving to some of our 70 local and global mission partners.
Financial Statement

2024 ended well with a net surplus of $1.5 million primarily as a result of moving the planned debt paydown and the completion of the LIFT Center to 2025. This surplus will be carried over to 2025's budget and spent accordingly. As planned, Christ Church utilized the prior year surplus to help fund the current year LIFT expenditure and have a balanced budget. In addition, Christ Church utilized $600,000 of a Board approved utilization of Institutional Funds to fulfill a short term cash flow need in October. We are looking forward to 2025 where God will continue to do amazing things to LIFT people up and make our church even stronger financially.

Where Does Your Giving Go?

* Ministry includes supporting worship and programs that help adults and children draw closer to God.
** Mission Partners supports more than 65 local and global ministries. The planned 2024 spend is consistent with prior years. Included in the Capital Expense number is an amount allocated to the LIFT Center.
*** Capital Expenses supports the funding of our mortgage, building improvements and the LIFT initiative.
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Financial Update | Q3 2024

Meeting the Needs of Others

Lift Center to provide services to the under resourced

For 20 years we have used our time, resources and gifts to serve the under resourced in surrounding neighborhoods. Over the years there has been a desire to expand our efforts beyond the once-a-month Food Pantry to provide services to meet the spiritual and material needs of the individuals and families in our community.

Through the LIFT initiative a vision for a LIFT Center including a food market, legal ministry, the English Conversation Cafe and educational services began to take shape. Plans are underway to make this a reality and reconfigure the Butterfield campus to house the LIFT Center.

Giving to Christ Church and the LIFT initiative is allowing us to respond to God’s call to reach the needs of more people and LIFT them to their God-given potential.

Financial Statement

The LIFT Center is made possible as a direct result of the congregation's generous giving toward the LIFT initiative. As planned, Christ Church is utilizing the prior year surplus to help fund the current year LIFT expenditure and have a balanced budget. Through your faithful giving, we continue to make progress toward meeting the 2-year LIFT goal of $31.7 million. For the period of January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, Christ Church has received $26.6 million in donations, which is $2.1 million or 8.7% ahead of the 21 month LIFT budget.

Where Does Your Giving Go?

* Ministry includes supporting worship and programs that help adults and children draw closer to God.
** Mission Partners supports more than 65 local and global ministries. The planned 2024 spend is consistent with prior years. Included in the Capital Expense number is an amount allocated to the LIFT Center.
*** Capital Expenses supports the funding of our mortgage, building improvements and the LIFT initiative.
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Financial Update | Q2 2024

LIFTing the Faith of the Next Generation

We are more than halfway through our commitment to LIFTing 10,000 people by the close of 2024 and we see the evidence of how God has been moving in and through us all around. What is equally remarkable is that we know that our good and gracious God is transforming lives in ways that we cannot see or imagine.

Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for those who have invested their time and talents, as well as their financial gifts. And it is with holy anticipation that we look toward the fall, and the many opportunities to LIFT others. Within our church and community, we can help children and students grow a vibrant and vital faith–one that knows deeply a grace greater than the gravity of life.

Here are just a few ways you can help:

Become a buddy

One of the goals of LIFT is to build a Disability Ministry so everyone feels welcomed, known and loved as they cultivate a relationship with Jesus. We need volunteers to buddy up with our children, students, and adults with disabilities to help them participate fully in Sunday and mid-week ministry groups. No special skills are necessary, just a loving and caring heart and a willingness to learn and help. Visit here for more information or to fill out a Volunteer Interest Form.

Volunteer for Kids Club

Last year we launched a mid-week group for kids in grades 1–5 at the Butterfield campus. Parents and kids alike loved the program. Our hope is to expand it to the Oak Brook campus this fall. To do that, we need volunteers to support the variety of activities each week. The programs will run from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Visit here for more information and to fill out a form expressing interest. Someone from our team will reach out soon.

Christ Church can reach more kids and students with the life-changing love of Jesus because of the generous way our congregation give, serves and LIFTs others.

Financial Statement

In addition to the giving of your time and talents to Christ Church, we continue to celebrate the financial sacrifice the congregation is making toward providing their gifts and financial commitments to the church. The June YTD financial results has a net deficit, which is expected to be temporary due to the revenue stream being heavily weighted toward year-end as compared to the LIFT expenditures that are being made earlier in the year. We anticipate the full year 2024 financial results to be balanced. As planned, Christ Church is utilizing the prior year surplus to help fund the current year LIFT expenditure. Through your faithful giving, we continue to make progress toward meeting the overall 2-year LIFT goal of $31.7 million. For the period of January 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, Christ Church has received $23.8 million in donations, which is $1.5 million or 6.6% ahead of the 18 month LIFT budget.

Where Does Your Giving Go?

* Ministry includes supporting worship and programs that help adults and children draw closer to God.
** Mission Partners supports more than 65 local and global ministries.
*** Capital Expenses supports the funding of our mortgage and building improvements.