In early January each year, Woodland Baptist Church hosts Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. This is a life-changing class that teaches couples and singles how to handle money in such a way that financial peace can be found.

This is a 13 week class where a one hour DVD presentation by Dave Ramsey is watched, followed by a one hour small group discussion.

This class is for you IF:

• Your credit cards are your emergency fund
• You want to know what God says about money
• You would have to sell your house to fund kids’ college

Woodland Baptist Church provides free child care for each of the 13 classes.

The cost is normally $99, but Woodland offers a $50 discount to the first 20 couples to sign up each year, resulting in a net cost per family of $49. The fee gives you a lifetime FPU membership and includes a book, a workbook, software, an envelope system and all of the classes on CD.

Please go to this link for more information on Financial Peace University:

http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/preview/

Financial Peace University Class Graduates

On April 3, 2011, the sixth Woodland Financial Peace University class graduated. Here are the final results of the class:

• 29 couples or singles attended
• 2 were Woodland members
• 27 were from outside Woodland
• 15 out of 29 attended 11 or more of the 13 sessions and earned a graduation certificate.
• In 13 weeks, 13 reporting families paid off debt totaling $104,988.
• Savings were increased by $47,200 during the 13 weeks.
• Thus, a total positive change in finances of $152,188 was accomplished.
• The average couple had a positive change in finances of $11,707 in 13 weeks.
• On a 1 to 10 ranking, couples reported a ranking of their financial situations as 4.5 at the beginning of FPU and 8.7 at the end of FPU.
• Couples reported improved marriages, improved communication and HOPE for the future.
• We learned how to “act your wage.”
• We learned the borrower really is slave to the lender.
• We learned that the only acceptable debt is residence mortgage debt when at least 10% is put down on a 15 year fixed rate mortgage where the payment is not more than 25% of take-home pay.
• We learned that despite Americans’ love for freedom; they often voluntarily become indentured servants to debt.
• We learned how to search for a career that you can be passionate about.
• Couples reported great excitement with implementing FPU ideas for their young children and adolescent children.
• Stewardship and giving were explained in a way that few will ever forget.
• Lives and future generations were changed forever.
• The scripture adopted for this class was Galatians 5:13-14 (Msg) which says: It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve on another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a simple sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.

Special thanks to Jennie Mayes serving as a small group facilitator at the last minute. Also, thanks to the Outreach Committee for funding discounts for class members.

Phil Sagebiel, Coordinator