Find 'Financial Peace' in 2018

Dave Ramsey is the creator of Financial Peace University, a program that helps people dump debt and take control of their personal finances. Numerous local churches are offering the nine-week program beginning in January. (Contributed photo)
Dave Ramsey is the creator of Financial Peace University, a program that helps people dump debt and take control of their personal finances. Numerous local churches are offering the nine-week program beginning in January. (Contributed photo)

Sign up at a church near you

Other local Financial Peace University classes starting this month:Brainerd Baptist Church: Wednesdays starting Jan. 17 from 6:15-8 p.m. Classes held in Brainerd Crossroads, CrossPointe C, 4011 Austin St. To register, visit brainerdbaptist.org/events/2018/1/17/financial-peace-university. For more information, contact Deb Parsons at 624-2606 or dparsons@brainerdbaptist.org.Calvary Chapel Chattanooga: Saturdays starting Jan. 20 at 9 a.m. Classes held at 3415 Broad St. in the church’s Youth Building. Register at calvarychatt.com/financial-peace-university.Hixson United Methodist Church: Sundays beginning Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. Classes held at the church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike. To register, visit fpucentral.com/classes/1050350/registration.Red Bank Church of Christ: Thursdays beginning Jan. 11 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Classes held at the church, 3600 Dayton Blvd. Call the church at 423-875-4816 to learn more.

People often begin a new year with a renewed desire to improve themselves or their situation in life. Taking control of one's finances is a common goal to strive for, and one that has the potential to have a profound impact.

This is one reason why churches all over town, and across the country, host Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University classes beginning in January.

"I think it's a good time to figure out your plans and where you'd like to be," said Jeff Kelle, who is leading the nine-week class at Signal Crest United Methodist Church Wednesdays beginning Jan. 17, skipping the week of Valentine's Day. The classes will run from 6:30-8 p.m. each night.

Whether a person is looking to buy a car or invest, or is expecting to make a major life change, the class will help them figure out how to align their finances with their goals, he said, adding that one of the main focuses of the class is paying off debt.

Each week of the Bible-based money management class, participants will watch a video and hold a discussion focused on a different topic, such as budgeting, goal setting or prioritization.

photo Dave Ramsey is the creator of Financial Peace University, a program that helps people dump debt and take control of their personal finances. Numerous local churches are offering the nine-week program beginning in January. (Contributed photo)

"Money is in the Bible more than any other topic," said Kelle, as to the connection between finance and Christianity.

Community outreach is another reason churches host the class, he said.

"We would like to get people from outside the church [to attend], and some of the first people who've signed up are not members," said Kelle.

Classes are typically led by church members, as is the case with Kelle at Signal Crest. While he said he's pretty good with personal finance, he doesn't have a professional background in the subject. He's just a former participant who's seen the benefits of the program and wants to share it with others.

"Since they don't teach finance in school, it's important to supplement what you know with a class like this," Kelle said.

Area classes range in price from $85-$110, which includes all materials.

To register for the class at Signal Crest, which costs $109, visit signalcrestumc.org.

Upcoming Events