In ministry God brings people across your path at the right time to help you accomplish your work for Him. Such was the case with Ascend Stewardship Solutions. Russ and his team were not only a great source of information and resources but a great help in gaining the financial foundation needed to fulfill the next steps of God’s vision for us. Not only was Russ very professional but I found him to be genuine in his desire to help. I not only have found a resource for our ministry but a genuine partner and friend in ministry. From record offerings to reassuring phone calls Russ Priddy and Ascend Stewardship have been a pleasure to work with. I am already looking forward to our next capital campaign.
It is my pleasure to recommend Mr. Russ Priddy of Ascend Stewardship and Consulting for your church’s capital campaign.
We did our own “in house” capital campaign for four years with just very ordinary results averaging less than $24,000 coming in per year. However, when we contracted with Russ Priddy for a professional capital campaign, we saw amazing results.
More than $267,000 was pledged for the three year campaign and more than $157,000 was received in the first month of the campaign. All in all, we brought in more than $242,000 in the first year of the capital campaign.
Several have been inspired to give that did not pledge, and by the end of the three year campaign we expect to far exceed what was pledged.
Pastor Jim BuchananHavana, Illinois Church of the Nazarene
Pastor Greg NealImmanuel Baptist Church, Jacksonville Fl
To Whom It May Concern:
In ministry God brings people across your path at the right time to help you accomplish your work for Him. Such was the case with Ascend Stewardship Solutions. Russ and his team were not only a great source of information and resources but a great help in gaining the financial foundation needed to fulfill the next steps of God’s vision for us. Not only was Russ very professional but I found him to be genuine in his desire to help. I not only have found a resource for our ministry but a genuine partner and friend in ministry. From record offerings to reassuring phone calls Russ Priddy and Ascend Stewardship have been a pleasure to work with. I am already looking forward to our next capital campaign.
It is my pleasure to recommend Mr. Russ Priddy of Ascend Stewardship and Consulting for your church’s capital campaign.
We did our own “in house” capital campaign for four years with just very ordinary results averaging less than $24,000 coming in per year. However, when we contracted with Russ Priddy for a professional capital campaign, we saw amazing results.
More than $267,000 was pledged for the three year campaign and more than $157,000 was received in the first month of the campaign. All in all, we brought in more than $242,000 in the first year of the capital campaign.
Several have been inspired to give that did not pledge, and by the end of the three year campaign we expect to far exceed what was pledged.
Dr. Roger Green, Sr.Prayer and Deliverance Tabernacle
This letter is to express out highest degree of satisfaction with Mr. Russ Priddy.
The financing process of our new church facility was one of the most challenging processes that our organization has ever had to undertake, until we were referred to Mr. Priddy. Previous attempts to finance our venture failed, and were so complicated that our ministry became uncomfortable in dealing with lending institutions. Previously, we were unaware of any other financing options other than traditional means of financing. We were completely satisfied with the different approaches to financing that he had to offer.
Mr. Priddy was one of the most thorough, knowledgeable, and trustworthy financiers that our church has ever worked with. Mr. Priddy took what was a highly complicated transaction and simplified it to the degree that all parties involved could both understand the transaction and were satisfied with the transaction. Mr. Priddy was honest, upfront, and was great with follow-up. We intend on making Mr. Priddy our choice of financier for life.
This is why we are truly convinced that Russ Priddy was truly sent from God to help our ministry, as well as help ministries across the country realize their ministry goals. We have recommended Russ to many of our clergy peers and will do so till Jesus returns.
Pastor Holy Cathedral Church of God in Christ
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
I would, without reservation, recommend Ascend Stewardship & Consulting to a church that is contemplating building. Russ & Team were knowledgeable and trusted advisors. The campaign itself was bathed in scripture, taking us on a journey of trusting and believing God through the process.
The campaign manual outlined plans that infused prayer, scripture and seeking God to provide before we even approached the congregation for pledges. Once we were ready to ask the congregation they too went through a series of Biblical application and prayer before they pledged. Thus, building the campaign entirely on faith and trust in God. As a result of this God-given strategy, we raised over three hundred thousand dollars within the first six months and hit our goal within a year. To God Be the Glory!!
Russ has been with us every step of the way. He was at the table as an advisor with the contractors, lenders, architects, and all that goes into the building strategy. As a result, we are able to make sound financial decisions, save on costs and expand our thinking in terms of creative financing, nonstructural concepts as he offered insight based on his years of experience both in the secular world and as a Pastor.
Russ is now a part of the family and we never felt this was transactional but relational. Our dream of Building to The Glory of God, A Greater Facility for A Greater Ministry to Reap a Greater Harvest is now that much closer.
Thank God for what I believe was a divine connection in Russ & Ascend Stewardship & Consulting.
Pastor Daron Osborne, Friends Baptist Church
To whom it may concern:
It is my pleasure to recommend to you the church growth and financial services of Russ Priddy and company. When we first started the process of preparation to build, we knew that one major need was an outside resource for campaign funding. I have gone through this once before and knew of several who came highly recommended. After speaking with Russ and much prayer we felt that God was leading us to go through his company.
Russ goes to great detail to train and prepare each key leader to accomplish their mission. His heart is for Churches to grow and build the Kingdom of God. Having been a pastor himself, he knows how to effectively communicate the heart of ministry.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend Russ Priddy to any ministry. If his performance for our church is the standard of his efforts, Russ Priddy to any ministry will be an excellent help to your financial campaign.
Senior Pastor Kevin West, Expression Church
To Whom It May Concern:
In the fall of 2018, I felt the impression that we needed to begin an initiative to retire the mortgage on the church real estate while fully engaging as much of the congregation as possible.
The timing was just right as we had just completed our construction project and financing. I shared with Russ Priddy what I was sensing and he came and met with me and my team and we tailored a capital campaign program that was designed for our church culture.
To our pleasant surprise, the campaign exceeded our expectations and the participation from the congregation was more than we could have asked.
Russ, you are a blessing to the Body of Christ. Your knowledge, experience, resources, and creativity helps remove apprehension and obstacles many churches are facing. Not only did our church get a true partner but we gained a friend as well.
Lead Pastor Andrew King, Highland Village
To Whom It May Concern:
In the spring of 2018 we were under contract with a firm to lead our Capital Campaign, when suddenly the principle of this firm passed away. This left us feeling rudderless and wondering what we should or could do. Into this dilemma, through a mutual acquaintance, we were introduced to Russ Priddy. What a divinely appointed meeting this turned out to be.
We have had the help, guidance and leadership of Russ throughout our capital campaign and were able to successfully acquire commitments for 3 times our annual budget to our new building program. This was an excellent result and due to the materials and guidance of Russ Priddy this was made possible.
Russ, thank you for your help and encouragement and I would recommend you to anyone who is looking to initiate a capital campaign. Thank you for your positive motivation, communication and documents that helped us succeed.
Bishop Stanley B. Searcy, Sr.New Hope Missionary Baptist
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to take this opportunity to recommend highly the Capital Funds Program of Russ Priddy. Through the recommendation of a mutual friend we were introduced to this wonderful stewardship program. With much prayer and great consideration Russ Priddy agreed to help our ministry. At a time when our backs were up against the wall and we were in dire need of raising funds, this program brought a revival not only to our finances but to our overall love walk with God.
In a six week span, Russ trained our staff, met with key leaders and prepared us for the journey ahead. In times past we had sought out other campaign programs but their presentations lacked the elements needed for our ministry. Our membership had experienced much wear and tear, and needed program that would revitalize, replenish and Revive their hearts once again.
Through this program, and the help of God we were able to raise a half a million dollars within a six week time span. Russ’s program not only generated finances but pulled our membership together in an unprecedented way. Only in eternity will Russ Priddy know how much he has added to this ministry by helping to free our hands up for true Kingdom ministry.
It is with much respect for Russ Priddy’s Capital Campaign Program that I recommend this program to all pastors, business leaders and all who seek a campaign of integrity, honesty and restoration. We are a better ministry for having partnered with such a wonderful program.
Shaun Sommers, New Springfield Church of God
Campaign: “Touching Tomorrow Today”
The New Springfield Church of God in New Springfield, Ohio contacted Russ Priddy in the fall of 2012 about being our consultant to address the need for a new capital funds campaign in our church. We were currently halfway through our bond program but did not currently have any pledges to meet our obligation to our bondholders.
Russ came up to Ohio to meet with our stewardship committee to discuss our options. It was very apparent from the very beginning that Russ loved what he was doing, he was a man of God and was very knowledgeable about the different options that may be available to us. Russ recommended a 3 year stewardship campaign and our council approved the “Touching Tomorrow Today” campaign.
Russ came up to train our leadership team at the end of September and we concluded a 6 week campaign on November 18t h with our celebration Sunday. Our financial results were absolutely beyond our wildest imaginations, but more importantly the campaign was able to draw our church together because of the structure provided by Russ and his many years of experience of consulting on different campaigns as well as his many years as a pastor.
Overall, we would highly recommend Russ Priddy to any church looking for Godly council in the area of stewardship and finances.
Tokishia Dockery-RaglandRelentless Church
In Spring of last year, we realized the need to launch a capital campaign with the goal of raising funds toward the purchase of a permanent location for our church family. We met with four different companies to hear what each had to offer with the hopes of finding one that would be open and accepting of who we are as a church - a gospel-centered, forever-focused, multiethnic movement of God! Russ entered the room, greeted each person individually, learned each name and shared – he didn’t present, but instead he shared his heart and passion for partnering with churches so they can accomplish their mission and bring God glory! We unanimously voted to choose Ascend to lead us through our very first capital campaign, and it has been one of the easiest and best decisions that we’ve made for our church! Russ and his team invested time into learning the DNA of our church. They provided an easy-to-follow and customizable step-by-step process that directed and fueled the recruiting, training, and leadership of our campaign leadership team. Russ provided onsite training and weekly check-ins. The experience and knowledge that Ascend has gained over the years in leading many campaigns is a valuable asset that has certainly helped them produce the best service and materials on the market. As a result of partnering with Ascend, we’ve experienced not only a fruitful capital campaign so far, but most importantly, a faith-building campaign. Ascend’s focus on fulfilling the call to utilize God’s resources for His work is the basis and foundation of who they are, and it’s overwhelmingly evident in their dedication and commitment to our church!
Ascend Chosen in Shark Tank Style Event, Raleigh, NC
In March of 2024, Ascend Stewardship received an email from a church in the Raleigh, NC area. The church is a growing multi-ethnic congregation who had just been informed their lease would be terminated in 24 months, leaving the church to find a new location in that period of time. They understood that they were going to need to do a capital campaign quickly.
Church Leadership decided to contact and invite several organizations to participate in a “Shark Tank” type of event and they would choose whom they wanted to lead them through their campaign. Each organizations represented would have 45 minutes for their “pitch” and Q&A. Ascend accepted the invitation and were slated to be the second of at least 4 companies
During the presentation, emphasis was placed on precampaign analysis, selection and training of the leadership committee. Once the committee was trained and in place the emphasis was then to be on creating the timeline for the campaign and then ultimately the conduct of the campaign itself
After the campaign was to end, Ascend would assist the church in understanding its options from purchasing land and building, to purchasing the building and renovating, or purchasing an existing church building. Ascend would then assist with getting the financing in place.
The elders selected Ascend in a unanimous vote and we then began to implement the plan just as presented and God truly blessed the efforts of the church! Their offerings for 2024 totaled $414,000. When the capital fundraising pledges were totaled, the total pledged slightly exceeded 2 million dollars.
The church now has a relocation committee in place, exploring options for relocation. Various financial institutions have been contacted and invited to meet with the leadership to explore financing options.
In the first 6 months after the campaign, a total of $551,000 of campaign pledges have been collected.
God has been so good and faithful in helping the church get to this point. The future is certainly brighter.
Phone Call From Finance Chairman of Baptist ChurchCentral Piedmont, NC
It all started with a man’s phone call. He identified himself as the finance chairman of a Baptist Church in the central piedmont of North Carolina. He explained his church was going through a growth spell and were needing to add both worship and additional education space. They wanted to schedule a meeting to discuss financing the construction project and see of they could formulate a timeline for the project.
We were able to schedule a date and time, meeting with the pastor, finance team and building expansion committee. Upon sharing their financial statements, I knew what their loan capacity would be, but I did not know how much they were expecting to spend on construction.
In our meeting, it became apparent the building cost would exceed their borrowing capability, therefore we discussed a capital fundraising campaign to help offset the money needed for construction. After prayer and planning, the church decided to engage Ascend to conduct a capital stewardship and fundraising campaign and then to get the financing in place to do the construction.
The church was able to recruit some great individuals for the capital fundraising and stewardship team, and the campaign was a great success. The church was able to obtain almost 3 times its annual income over and above its budget in capital fundraising campaign pledges over a three-year period.
We were then able to get a loan commitment and construction started. After 14 months, we were able to attend a building dedication service for an expanded and renovated sanctuary and new education building. All because of the faithful of God’s people to sacrificially giving to the capital stewardship campaign.
When the construction started, the church was averaging 220 people in the worship service. Last Sunday, 540 people attended worship.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
Psalm 24:3
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