This month’s highlight is on The Orchard Church in McHenry, Illinois. Established in 1994, The Orchard’s vision has remained the same throughout the years it has existed: Making Fully Functional Followers of Jesus; Rooted in Hope and Branching Out to the World.
One of the most recent goals for The Orchard Church has been the Tending the Orchard Campaign. As Scott Swanson transitioned from Pastor of Family Ministries to Senior Pastor in April 2018, the church had nearly $720,000 in mortgage debt. After prayerful consideration and a series of focus group meetings to gauge the pulse of the congregation, they kicked off the campaign in March 2019. At that time the church had $717,000 in mortgage debt, scheduled to be paid off in the summer of 2041. They have seen God’s generosity in amazing ways during this time as people have faithfully given above and beyond their normal giving. The church has also been able to redirect money in their regular budget toward the mortgage as well. At the last Tending The Orchard update in late May, Pastor Swanson was able to share the current balance with the congregation…$99,820, which means over $600,000 was paid off in just 27 months!
There is a very real possibility they will finish the campaign before the March 2022 end date! During this time, the church has not stopped engaging in ministry opportunities, but has actually INCREASED their mission support…adding new missionary partners, Lee and Regina Bloch in Brazil, as well as increasing support to Real Love Ministries International, a ministry they partner with in Haiti. The Orchard has also begun the interviewing process to bring a second pastor onto the staff.
Please pray for wisdom as The Orchard seeks to fill this associate pastor position. They also ask for wisdom and direction from the Lord once the Tending The Orchard campaign is complete. How does God want them to use the financial resources available now that they will have no mortgage payments? Should they do some additional buildout on their current building? Should they continue to increase their missions partnerships — locally and afar? Should it be used as seed money for a future church plant? There are many options and choices to make, but the leadership and members of The Orchard desire above all else for God to use it for His Purpose and His Glory!