Vancouver, WA—First Church of God recently completed their first ever Financial Peace University class, and the results have been astounding, or maybe it is better described as “nothing less than a God thing,” according to Gary Cowles, associate pastor for adult education. Forty-three families who completed the course significantly improved their personal financial situation by putting into action the biblically based money management principles taught in the course.

Each person invested twenty-six hours in the class over a thirteen-week period. As a total, the class paid off $579,223 in debt and saved $173,934 in that time. The average financial improvement for this class was more than $17,500 per family! One family paid off $144,000 in debt and saved $12,000; another family paid off $133,000 and also saved $12,000.

Does this sound too amazing? Read the personal testimonies below from some who attended the class.

“Last December we were quickly heading towards divorce. We were constantly fighting and at each other’s throat. One subject was the center of nearly all our conflict, money. When this class was mentioned by Pastor Burch during his stewardship series, I felt a sense of hope that this might be just what we needed. This class has given us the tools to remove the barrier of communication that previously existed. We are now able to talk about everything we spend and save, and for the first time in our marriage, we have goals for our personal finances. I can’t begin to express how grateful we are that we were able to attend this class. Thank you for helping to save our marriage and giving us the tools to teach our children so they can avoid the mistakes we made. Financial Peace University should be mandatory for all couples as part of their premarital counseling.”

“The program has been a blessing in our lives because it has given us far greater insight into the biblical and commonsense expectations to manage finances.”

“This is a great program! It has changed the way I live. I have recruited people and recommended it to others. Both my adult daughters have taken the course, and I know it has changed their futures. I plan on dropping in on future classes. This program has been a blessing because it has provided my wife and me with a process and framework to communicate in the area of our finances that we have never been able to in thirty years of marriage. It is marriage changing and therefore life changing.”

Strategic Goal #3 for the Church of God is “Free! Committing to stewardship principles (Matt 6:33) leading to a flexible ministry future and the management of debt (with debt free as the goal) for every individual, church, and agency.” Like Vancouver First Church, many Church of God congregations are now offering classes on personal financial management. In addition to Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey, Crown Financial Ministries is another biblically based financial management training course recommended by Church of God Ministries.

We encourage every individual, church, and agency to prayerfully examine their personal financial management practices. Learn more about helpful resources available by clicking here, or contact Doug Shearer at DShearer@chog.org or 800-848-2464 for more information.

Learn more about the Strategic Plan and Goals for the Church of God by clicking here.