Nearly 14 years ago, HRBC embarked on a Capital Campaign called “It’s Time” to improve our facilities by connecting our buildings, improving accessibility, including an elevator and wider hallways, adding restrooms, classrooms and flexible space in our multi-purpose rooms, among other things that make our campus the beautiful space it is today. At the completion of the renovation and the “It’s Time Campaign” in June 2015, HRBC signed a mortgage note with First Citizens Bank for nearly $1.4 million for the remaining balance of the renovation. Since then, the impact to the church budget has been a monthly mortgage of $8,139.72 or $97,676.64 per year with an interest rate of 3.5%. The loan was a 10-year note with balloon payment due in June 2025. 

A balloon payment means that the balance of the loan in June 2025 would either need to be paid in full or refinanced at current mortgage rates and with all the typical closing fees of a mortgage loan. There were no other options. 

With the balloon deadline quickly approaching, HRBC’s leadership got out in front. At the July 2022 Congregational meeting, a Debt Reduction Strategy Team (DRST) was put in place to review options for the impending loan expiration in June 2025. 

The Team consisted of the following team members: Alva Latta, Kim Felts, Curtis Montgomery, George Pickral. They worked in the background as the church discerned and developed its vision for the future. The DRST, in collaboration with the 2024 Heritage Day Team, recommended that we pursue a Capital Stewardship Campaign to pay down the HRBC mortgage with a balance of $867,050 as of January 1, 2024. The RiseUP Campaign was born with an initial goal of $250,000 by June 2025, including the 2024 Heritage Day goal of $60,000. 

The RiseUp Leadership Team included the following members: Dean Lynch & Julie Cunningham, Co-Directors; Alva Latta & Michael Watkins, Co-Campaign Managers; Michelle Graham, Communication Coordinator; Deacon Sandra Lynch, Prayer Coordinator; Bob Lee, Pastor. 

We were challenged with some “What If” questions . . . 

• What if we embarked on a spiritual journey that includes a plan to pay off HRBC’s debt? 

• What if HRBC was freed from the nearly $100k annual mortgage payment? 

• What if the HRBC Vision Pillars and Staff had additional resources to expand opportunities they can only dream about today? 

• What if gifts of $60,000 became $600,000 or more? 

HRBC took bold steps of faith toward becoming debt-free and we are blessed to have received God’s favor! Due to the generosity of our congregation, we exceeded our goal! As of March 23, 2025, RiseUP gifts totaled $322,886 – Praise the Lord! These gifts, in addition to regular monthly mortgage payments, have enabled the mortgage balance to be reduced from $867,050 to $455,035.  

In February 2025, HRBC submitted a loan application with the Baptist Extension Board (BEB) of the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV). Following a meeting with the BEB in late February, the BEB approved HRBC’s request for a loan to replace the current mortgage at First Citizens Bank (FCB). The BEB loan will pay off the balance of the mortgage at FCB and there will be no prepayment penalties, so HRBC can continue with our RiseUP goal to pay off the mortgage and be debt-free! 

At the conclusion of the worship service on March 23rd, we entered into a special congregation meeting to vote on this recommendation and the congregation voted unanimously in favor! Here’s the potential impact for the budget of HRBC . . . 

Budget Impact beginning in July 2025 

Current Monthly Mortgage Payment/First Citizens $8,140 

Estimated New Mortgage Payment/BEB  

(assumes a loan balance of $425k) $3,700 

Monthly Mortgage Expense Reduced by $4,440 

Annual Mortgage Expense Reduced by $53,280 

Who would have thought that we would be in such a position within nine months of the launch of the RiseUP campaign? This was an aggressive goal. But God has seen us through. The words of Jesus remind us of this: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26, NIV) 

Church, thank you for your generosity. To the faithful leaders from the Debt Reduction Team, Heritage Day 2024, Finance Group, RiseUP Team, Executive Council and staff, we offer a huge THANK YOU! It’s not what God can do, but it’s what God can do through you! — (Adapted from Alva Latta’s 3/23/25 presentation, with permission.) 

With a grateful heart,