2027 Stewardship Emphasis

First Baptist Waynesville Family,

When I stood in your pulpit for the first time in August, I pledged that if you called me to serve as your Lead Pastor, I would take very seriously the responsibility to steward centuries of First Baptist generosity. The saints before us gave so extravagantly to the Lord that we can continue the Lord’s mission today debt-free! And in the first full year without a Lead Pastor, a season that could easily have been marked by uncertainty, the current saints of First Baptist are continuing that legacy of generosity: you’ve given over $22,000 more than you gave by this time in 2025. I have asked our financial secretary, Faith Woods, to include your giving statement with this letter so you can take a moment to thank God for your role in continuing that generosity story!

Though the initial draft of the 2027 Ministry Resource Plan was developed before I began serving as your Lead Pastor, I am so encouraged that it includes a 6.47% increase in anticipated giving for 2027. If our congregation approves that plan, it will be a statement that we are willing to increase our giving as God continues to write the story of our congregation’s impact on our community and our world. 

I invite you to take some time to prayerfully consider how God is leading you to support the mission of First Baptist in 2027. 

Reflect on the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ. 
Praise God for the many ways He has provided for your physical needs. 
Then ask God to give you the blessing of giving to Him with a joyful heart! 

If you are willing to share how God is leading you, please complete a pledge card on or before Commitment Sunday on November 15th. 

If you can join us on Sunday, November 15th, we will continue our powerful tradition of encouraging each person or family to bring their pledge card to the front of the Sanctuary and deposit in our “Little White Church” as a physical sign of all of our shared commitment of generosity. 

You can also fill out a digital pledge card by visiting https://www.fbcwaynesville.org/commitmentsunday. Or you can complete the enclosed pledge card and return it through the mail, email a scanned copy to our Financial Secretary (faith@fbcwaynesvill.org), bring it to our office, or drop it in an offering plate or dropbox.

As we step into this new season together, I look forward to worshiping with you, serving with you, and getting to know you. If there is any way I can serve you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Peace,
Rev. Dr. Shawn Allen