You are the light of the world...let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. - Matthew 5:14-15
Church Family,
I hope you are doing well this week. Attached, you will find our proposed 2026 ministry budget. As always, our goal is not simply to present numbers, but to paint a picture of where we believe God is leading us in the coming year. A budget is far more than spreadsheets and line items—it is a framework for ministry and a reflection of our shared mission to help people become more like Jesus.
I hope you are doing well this week. Attached, you will find our proposed 2026 ministry budget. As always, our goal is not simply to present numbers, but to paint a picture of where we believe God is leading us in the coming year. A budget is far more than spreadsheets and line items—it is a framework for ministry and a reflection of our shared mission to help people become more like Jesus.
As we prepare to move into our new facility at the Walnut Grove Campus in early March, we are entering a season filled with fresh opportunities. This budget represents our prayerful best estimate of what the ministry will require in a brand-new building. Some expenses will become clearer as we settle into the space, but we have done our best to plan wisely and steward every dollar with purpose.
More than anything, we want 2026 to be a year where we continue to reach people far from God and lead them to become followers of Jesus.
Because our overall budget is increasing, our missions giving is increasing as well. We never want to become a church that grows internally but shrinks in generosity. Each year, we want to take new ground in how we support mission partners and Kingdom work around the world.
This year, we are blessed to add two new mission partners:
More than anything, we want 2026 to be a year where we continue to reach people far from God and lead them to become followers of Jesus.
Because our overall budget is increasing, our missions giving is increasing as well. We never want to become a church that grows internally but shrinks in generosity. Each year, we want to take new ground in how we support mission partners and Kingdom work around the world.
This year, we are blessed to add two new mission partners:
- Kaleidoscopic Call – A ministry focused on launching local ethnic churches (primarily in Clarkston, GA) and sending believers back into their home countries as missionaries.
https://www.kaleidoscopiccall.com/
2. Partners In Ministry (PIM) – A global ministry raising support for indigenous missionaries around the world. Through PIM, thousands of people are hearing the gospel for the first time, and we will be partnering not only financially but also through upcoming serving and support opportunities.
https://www.pimoutreach.org/
We are excited to invest more deeply in what God is doing both locally and around the world.
You’ll also notice an increase in our personnel budget. This includes modest raises for our current staff to help keep pace with the cost of living and to honor their faithful service.
In addition, we have set aside funds to hire additional staff as we grow into the new facility:
These roles are not about filling seats—they are strategic steps to help us care for people, disciple families, and make the most of the ministry opportunities in front of us.
With the increase in ministry opportunity comes an increase in ministry cost. The proposed budget will require sacrificial giving from all of us. As we reach more people, disciple more families, and steward a new building, we will all be invited to grow in generosity.
We will affirm the budget at our Annual Business Meeting on December 7th, following each morning service.
In addition to affirming the budget, we are also excited to share that our elder team is recommending Chris Landress and Clint Myers to serve as elders beginning in 2026. Both men meet the biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and have shown themselves to be faithful leaders at Church at the Grove. If you have any questions about Chris or Clint, please reach out to us directly. To learn more about what elders do at our church, you can view our Elder Overview document here.
We believe God is calling our church to take bold steps of faith so that more people in Walnut Grove, Social Circle, and the surrounding communities can know Jesus.
Thank you for being a church that prays, serves, gives, and believes in the mission. Please take time to review the attached budget and reach out if you have questions. We’re grateful to walk into this next season with you.
Let’s continue to seek Jesus together and trust Him for a powerful year ahead.
With gratitude and expectation,
Russ and Nathan
https://www.pimoutreach.org/
We are excited to invest more deeply in what God is doing both locally and around the world.
You’ll also notice an increase in our personnel budget. This includes modest raises for our current staff to help keep pace with the cost of living and to honor their faithful service.
In addition, we have set aside funds to hire additional staff as we grow into the new facility:
- A Discipleship Pastor who will help us lead and expand our groups ministry and discipleship efforts. Job description here.
- A part-time facilities director to help manage upkeep and cleaning for both campuses as we expand.
These roles are not about filling seats—they are strategic steps to help us care for people, disciple families, and make the most of the ministry opportunities in front of us.
With the increase in ministry opportunity comes an increase in ministry cost. The proposed budget will require sacrificial giving from all of us. As we reach more people, disciple more families, and steward a new building, we will all be invited to grow in generosity.
We will affirm the budget at our Annual Business Meeting on December 7th, following each morning service.
In addition to affirming the budget, we are also excited to share that our elder team is recommending Chris Landress and Clint Myers to serve as elders beginning in 2026. Both men meet the biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and have shown themselves to be faithful leaders at Church at the Grove. If you have any questions about Chris or Clint, please reach out to us directly. To learn more about what elders do at our church, you can view our Elder Overview document here.
We believe God is calling our church to take bold steps of faith so that more people in Walnut Grove, Social Circle, and the surrounding communities can know Jesus.
Thank you for being a church that prays, serves, gives, and believes in the mission. Please take time to review the attached budget and reach out if you have questions. We’re grateful to walk into this next season with you.
Let’s continue to seek Jesus together and trust Him for a powerful year ahead.
With gratitude and expectation,
Russ and Nathan
2026 Budget
Below is the link to our 2026 Proposed Budget. 2026 will be a year of significant changes for our church as we open our new facility in Walnut Grove in the first quarter. The proposed budget is our best estimate for the anticipated needs.
Please look over the budget below and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We will affirm the proposed 2026 budget at our church-wide business meeting on December 8th.
Please look over the budget below and let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We will affirm the proposed 2026 budget at our church-wide business meeting on December 8th.
Budget process
- Beginning in September of each year our staff begins prayerfully considering the needs for the following year.
- In October our staff gathers together for a staff retreat where we discuss the overall church vision for the following year and where financial resources will be needed.
- In late October/November, our personnel team meets together to discuss staff changes and compensation for the next year.
- Once the proposed budget is completed, our elders review and make suggested changes.
- The congregation is to review the budget and if there are any concerns or questions they are to contact a staff member or someone on the finance or elder team.
- The congregation will affirm the budget (without discussion) at our yearly business meeting which takes place the first Sunday of December immediately following the service.
- Throughout the entire process the Elders of the church are involved and informed of any changes.
*Church at the Grove does not publish staff salaries online. If you have concerns or questions about staff compensation please contact Nathan Boyd at nathan@churchatthegrove.com
- In October our staff gathers together for a staff retreat where we discuss the overall church vision for the following year and where financial resources will be needed.
- In late October/November, our personnel team meets together to discuss staff changes and compensation for the next year.
- Once the proposed budget is completed, our elders review and make suggested changes.
- The congregation is to review the budget and if there are any concerns or questions they are to contact a staff member or someone on the finance or elder team.
- The congregation will affirm the budget (without discussion) at our yearly business meeting which takes place the first Sunday of December immediately following the service.
- Throughout the entire process the Elders of the church are involved and informed of any changes.
*Church at the Grove does not publish staff salaries online. If you have concerns or questions about staff compensation please contact Nathan Boyd at nathan@churchatthegrove.com