A Time to Grow Update as of March 1, 2007

A Time to Grow is the fund-raising arm of the Congregational Development Fund, Inc. in our conference. Currently, our primary focus is raising funds for the Academy for Leadership Excellence. We are excited to assist our conference in implementing a vision of "every church, a vibrant, vital church led by effective, spiritual leaders." Lay and clergy leader development is a vital avenue of this transformation. We believe that lay and clergy leaders must be resourced and equipped for fruitful ministry by spiritually-focused, experience-based learning events. In partnership together, the laity and clergy leaders of our conference can create an academy that provides practical, real-world leadership skills and ongoing support to current and future generations of church leaders.

To date, 63 donors have pledged $1.6 million and we are so appreciative of each gift. In 2006, 36 donors pledged $95,662. Don and Barbara Curtis of Raleigh have presented a $1 million challenge gift, and we anticipate achieving this goal. The total goal to be raised is $5 million.

Mr. Norris Tolson, a certified lay speaker from Pinetops UMC and secretary of the NC Department of Revenue, is leading a fund-raising team which includes the bishop as well as lay and clergy persons from every district. Our plan includes information sharing about the work of the Academy for Leadership Excellence, mailings, cultivation events, and one-on-one conversations. We invite you to join us in this important work of developing leaders.

Mr. Larry Coats, Chairperson, Congregational Development Fund, Inc. and Mr. Norris Tolson, A Time to Grow Chairperson