(Project: Church Building for Fintonia Baptist Church

David and Lisa Bonnet

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Background• Tambaka is the Northwesternmost chiefdom in Sierra Leone. It is

heavily populated by the Susu tribe, an unreached people group. The Baptist Convention of Sierra Leone has been laboring for years in this area and now a handful of believers worship in Fintonia.

• Rev. Mohamed Mansaray, the General Secretary of the BCSL listed this work as the highest missional priority for the BCSL.

• Pastor Dukaray first approached me about helping the church in Fintonia in July 2012.

• Include the following information:• Project Manager: David Bonnet (CCW)• Project Team Members: Sahr Yiaba, Mohamed Mansaray, and

Mohamed Dukaray, John Turay.• Project Timing: if approved, complete lease or purchaseof the

farmland by the end of November. Construction of the church building should take approximately 3 months. It’s best if construction can start after October 15th and be completed by the end of March before rainy season begins.

• Project Target Completion Date: early to mid-March, 2014• Work impact: This will not significantly impact our daily work. We

would rely heavily on either BCSL or Pastor John Turay.

Proposed Solution and Alternatives Considered

Problem or Opportunity Resources, Timing and Impact

• We sent Rev. Sahr Yiaba to asses the needs and opportunities. He feels that a church building would engage the talents of the church members and provide opportunities for evangelism. He estimates the cost of a church building at $5,000.• Either the BCSL could be responsible for implementing the project of erecting the building or we could contract Pastor John Turay, an experienced construction manager. He can help with periodically checking on the status of construction.

• Problem: Potential converts cite the lack of a worship space as a reason for not putting their faith in Jesus, “Where will I have a funeral for my family members? The mosque won’t allow it if I convert.” Converts also face persecution or being disowned by family members. The pays for the school expenses of many young converts, even housing them in Kamakwie.

• Opportunity: Landowners in Fintonia have offered to sell 50 acres of farmland to the church for $2,300. Currently the church farms some of the land for a small lease fee.

• Opportunity: The church owns some land for a potential worship space.

Sports Court Project

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Budget• Expected Budget:• Legal fees required for lease renegotiation* $1,000.00• Finish out (flooring, wall prep and finish, upgrades to lighting) 5,000.00 (see attached budget from Vendor Alpha)• Sports Equipment purchases 2,500.00 (see attached list)• Total $ 8,500.00

• *Our existing lease expires at the end of 2013. We expected to incur some of these fees to extend the lease in 2013. The fee is somewhat higher than usual due to the changes in the lease.

Risks and Consequences

• Risks of project: • Demolition and construction issues are risks as we do not control that part of the process. Any number of risks or delays to the project may be

encountered and, while we are working with the landlord, we are only a part of the team. • Vendor Alpha has agreed that its work will begin only upon a certificate of occupancy; bid is good until June 30, 2013.• Project spends money on a facility we do not own. The finish out is an investment in property that is recoverable only with time.• Project takes more time from CCW work than planned; other programming changes may be required or use of other CCWs to meet programming

commitments.• Consequences of not approving the project is the opportunity cost of not providing additional activities for the neighborhood youth. Our work will

continue as it has in the past, with the existing facilities. Extension of the existing lease is not expected to be impacted by the non-approval of the project as the landlord is happy to leave the facility as it is, or is happy to renovate it in order to ensure the longer term extension. We have an excellent relationship with the landlord.