God's Inspiration to Form Agur
Since 1986, Rick and Jane White have benefited from Colorado's undeveloped Real Estate property investments. During this time, the Whites learned of the many pitfalls and intricacies of property acquisition and development. As a result, they decided to share their knowledge with start-up congregations. While they were thankful for the blessings bestowed on them, they were about to discover what God wanted them to do.
In 1998, the Whites were attending Grace Chapel (GC) in Englewood, Colorado and decided to research planting a church. The committee was composed of a mixture of commercial real estate professionals, members of the pastoral staff, and members of the church. The committee investigated planting this new church in Littleton, Parker, Highlands Ranch, and Castle Rock. Castle Rock was chosen, and on September 15, 2000, Grace Chapel Castle Rock was formed on paper. Several families from GC agreed to become members of the new church to help provide critical mass, leadership, and funding. GC also budgeted $300,000 for property acquisition for this church plant.
The Planting Committee looked for a site but could not find one which was affordable, available, the right size, and in a good location. Six unsolicited letters were eventually sent out to owners of possible building sites, and only one owner responded, but what a response it was! In the initial phone call, the property owner stated, "We have been waiting for your letter! My wife and I purchased these 10 acres several years ago to locate a church on the north side of Castle Rock. We knew someone would contact us!" We asked how much they wanted for the 10 acres, and the answer was $300,000. Wow, God sightings!
Jane and Rick became the shepherding couple for GCCR. They learned how difficult it was for this young congregation to navigate the gauntlet of municipal approvals and construction decisions even with a significant financial gift from "Mother Grace."
As a result of the work on the GCCR, the Whites decided that there seemed to be a need for similar consultation for other start-up churches. Paul Barnes, the former Senior Pastor at GC, gave a sermon on the Prayer of Agur (Proverb 30) and the message of the Prayer and the name Agur seemed like a good fit. As a result, the Agur Foundation was formed and received approval by the State of Colorado in October of 2002. The IRS provided Agur its 501(3) c status in 2004, and the Lord has been doing amazing things through it since then. The Whites will tell you they are like the little boy that donated his loaves and fish to feed the large crowd. Like the little boy, the Whites have watched amazing miracles and God sightings too numerous to list.
A special thanks to Dave and Jennet White for their generous gifts and dear friend Teena Harvey whose organization and leadership skills built a solid base for Agur to begin this work.
Finally, and most importantly, the Whites would like to thank God for this fantastic venture into Kingdom work. To Him be the Glory.
Where did the Agur come from?
Proverbs 30 contains the Prayer of Agur. Agur’s sincere words reveal a heart that places material affluence and achievement in their appropriate places, well below the ultimate mission of honoring God. Celebratory appreciation of God’s blessings on us is what Agur Foundation chooses to exemplify.
The Prayer of Agur (Prov. 30:7–9)
“Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, But give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say,‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God”.