Expand the Borders
Capital Campaign
Dear brothers and sisters:
In December, 2023, we announced our Expand The Borders campaign (see below). Having come to an agreement with the farmer whose land borders the north of the church property, we were initiating the process to sever the land for church use. I noted then that I wasn’t certain how the government would respond.
We worked with a consultant and discussed this matter with Waterloo Region and Woolwich Township staff, laboriously searching for a way to make this work. We recently learned that there is absolutely no way forward on this matter. The process has thus been aborted.
There are laws in place that prevent farmers from selling their own land under the pretence of “protecting farmland.” That notwithstanding, when the Waterloo Region decides that it wants to develop farmland, the Region sets the price and demands the land. That is precisely what the Region is doing with six farmers in Wilmot Township (see here). The whole scenario smacks of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel who expropriated Naboth’s farmland (1 Kings 21). Consequently, God killed Ahab’s descendants, and He had Queen Jezebel thrown from an upper-story window to be turned into dog food (2 Kings 9-10).
This government is willing to confiscate private property against an owner’s will, while forbidding property owners from selling their own property at will. More enlightened generations called this “tyranny” or “communism.” The government is generous enough to allow citizens to call themselves “landowners” in the official records, but the government then demands control of land usage. Even more, the government can unilaterally take land and use it for whatever it wants. Laws for me, but not for thee. This is private ownership in name only. It is a charade. It’s high-handed state-sanctioned 8th Commandment violations. Wars have been fought over like-matters.
God sees all the injustices, and He is keeping score. We can trust Him. Somehow this will all work out for the good of His people. We should highlight the injustice, as I have, but we cannot grumble in our hearts. Instead, with thanksgiving to God, we cheerfully move forward to work with what He’s given us, submitting to His hand while trusting that in the proper time He will exalt us (1 Peter 5:6-7).
The church and the academy have outgrown our facility. Presently, we are actively investigating several other options to accommodate our needs. Please continue to pray for God’s leading and provision. You can still contribute to the Expand The Borders campaign here. I noted in the original December correspondence: “If the Township doesn’t approve the deal, which is possible, we will either use the designated funds for a future land purchase or a future building project.” Thankfully, God continues to provide abundantly. Given His abundant provision, I am trusting that the day will come when He makes the right option available.
Sincerely,
Pastor Jacob Reaume
December 2023 Update
December 20, 2023
Dear brothers and sisters,
Merry Christmas. I look forward to celebrating the incarnation of our Christ this weekend.
Reflecting on this past year, I am grateful to God for all He’s accomplished through the ministry of Trinity Bible Chapel. 49 persons have been baptized. Our regular church attendance hovers between 1,000 and 1,200 on any given Sunday. 443 adults are in small groups. King Alfred Academy’s elementary grades have maxed out with 90 students, and the high school, with 14 students, is growing, having added a grade 11 class this year with plans for grade 12 next year. We’re building four new portables for King Alfred Academy classrooms, as I write this letter.
We’ve only been meeting in the building since spring 2020, at which point it wasn’t half full. Sometimes I have to pinch myself when I recount what God has done in just under 4 years. Can you imagine what He has for us yet?
The church facility is a beehive of activity on any given day. We’re almost utilising the entire facility all the time, at least during daytime hours and on weekends. It’s an invigorating place to be, if you like lots of action.
With the growth of King Alfred Academy, the visitors that continue to stream into the church, and the healthy birth rate within our congregation – I counted 28 babies born in 2023 –, I doubt the facility is going to feel more spacious anytime soon.
More space certainly wouldn’t hurt, and I think it would actually help. For that reason, the elders, after some negotiations, have offered $1,985,000 for the eight and a half acres directly bordering the north of our property. The farmer who owns the land has agreed to that price. Just last week all the parties signed the sale agreement, and the ink is about dry.
We desire to use the land for sports fields, parking, a cemetery, and the expansion of our church and school facilities. I envision one day a sprawling campus: A peaceful cemetery where we can bury our dead; a sanctuary that can seat 2,500 people, to host conferences and become a catalyst for church planting and reformation in Ontario; and a thriving classical Christian academy training hundreds of students in virtue and critical thinking under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. There’s so much work to be done.
Our King has left us with a Great Commission: We must make disciples. That is His plan and our purpose. Right now, space constrains us. We desire more space, because we envision more disciples being made. More space means more people worshipping our Saviour.
For this to happen, we need Woolwich Township to clear some red tape. We’re hiring a planning consultant to work with the Township and help get through the red tap, so please be in prayer. I’m not sure how this will go, but my hope remains in God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills.
We also need about $2 million. I’m asking you to contribute to the project. We’re calling the project “Expand the Borders.” Would you consider giving above your regular offering to help towards the $2 million, as 2023 comes to an end?
You can do so by clicking here, or by writing a cheque to Trinity Bible Chapel and designating it “Expand the Borders.”
Sincerely
Jacob Reaume
P.S. If the Township doesn’t approve the deal, which is possible, we will either use the designated funds for a future land purchase or a future building project. We have until November 2024 to work things out with the Township.
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21
