When Pastor J.C. Campbell founded Greater Hope Church in Evansville, Indiana, during the height of the pandemic, he began with a vision — and just 10a committed souls. What he didn’t have was a clear system for managing the church’s finances while also leading with excellence in the pulpit and in the community.
“I needed to be preaching, teaching, building people’s faith, while also being engaged in the community,” said J.C. “I knew from the jump I didn’t want to be the one balancing books and signing checks.”
J.C. knew his time was better spent elsewhere, and he was determined to find the right expert to deliver financial transparency from day one.
“My commitment as a pastor to my congregation is you will be able to see where every cent of your money is going.”
But even with that conviction, he found himself facing the same challenge many pastors encounter when it comes to financial reporting.
“We just had more questions than we had answers,” said J.C. about his previous accounting solution.
But at Greater Hope Church, their motto says it all: Greater Purpose. Greater Love. Greater Hope.
This culture of stewardship and service demanded financial systems that reflected the same integrity.
The Turning Point: Partnering with BELAY
That all changed when J.C. partnered with BELAY and was matched with Cycloria, a dedicated Accounting Professional who brought the expertise and clarity that Greater Hope Church needed.
“Cycloria has an excellent way of giving us practical, professional expertise while fitting into the culture and the mold of what we do as a church so seamlessly. It feels like she is a member of Greater Hope Church.”
She didn’t just manage the books; she transformed them. Cycloria offered Greater Hope Church clear, consistent reporting and strategic financial insights.
“BELAY has probably been the best thing that has happened to our church, and I mean that sincerely.”
That type of financial clarity meant J.C. and his team could shift their focus from trying to make sense of spreadsheets to making real, informed decisions.
“BELAY and Cycloria are God-sent. Really.”
Financial Transparency that Inspires Generosity
J.C. was blown away by the information Cycloria was able to provide and the way it has transformed his focus on giving.
“Cycloria provided a comparison from 2022 to 2023 to 2024 that had never been done before. She said she wanted me to see where we’ve been and where we’re going.
“With that, I’ve been able to see the areas where we’ve been so bill-focused instead of mission-focused and fix that. So on Sunday mornings, I’m not asking the congregation to help us pay the bills.
“I’m able to say, ‘Your gift goes to feed the elementary school after-school program around the corner from us. Your gift is going to provide scholarships for those that are going to a two-year institution or a four-year institution, but also, it's going towards a grant for those who aren’t ready for college but may wanna go into a technical field. Your gift is going to prepare for the future of our church so that when we continue to grow, we're ready to talk about expansion.’
“That’s how Cycloria has changed the way we’re able to talk about our mission.”
The results spoke for themselves — especially to the congregation.
“One of our members stood up during a meeting and said, ‘This is the best financial report our church has ever had. We feel confident knowing where the money is going and what the church is doing. I, for one, feel more confident to give even more because I know the work our church is doing.’”
And not only did that confidence in giving lead to a healthier congregation, but it also allowed for J.C. to explore new possibilities for the future of the church.
“We established a ‘Raise the Roof’ campaign and paid for our new roof in just a month — no loan needed. I don’t think that would have been possible without BELAY”
Empowered for the Future
With BELAY, J.C. gained more than a bookkeeper. He gained a trusted partner in stewardship and a clearer path to long-term impact.
“We’re realizing, OK, we've got money in the bank. We're paying our mortgage on time. We've got savings. We are doing all these things for the community. Now, let's talk about what we need to do to start planning for the future.
“Now that we know what we’re really saving and what we’re really spending, we finally have an accurate budget. Now we can ask, ‘What do the next five years look like?’”
Today, Greater Hope Church is 450 members strong, known not only for its commitment to faith and community but also for its ethical, transparent financial leadership.
“I would say to my fellow pastors, I know it's an investment, but it is well worth the investment — and it is well worth the peace of mind to allow BELAY to get in and really do the work that they do.
“I wouldn't go any other way. And that is the Gospel truth. I anticipate using BELAY for many years to come.”
You Don’t Have To Figure It Out Alone
Whether you're just starting your ministry or scaling for greater impact, BELAY is here to help you gain the clarity and confidence to focus on your calling.
Schedule a call today to learn how BELAY Accounting Services can help you build trust, inspire generosity, and plan boldly for your church’s future, just like Pastor J.C. Campbell.
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