The Reason

As you know, the Session has been prayerfully moving towards a building program. (For a video with the latest renderings, see below.) We believe this proposed addition will be a tremendous help in carrying out Christ’s command to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:20).  Let me explain.

I’ve recently read two books that have confirmed that we are on the right track.  

In Deep Discipleship, J.T. English makes the argument that the contemporary church has fallen away from the deep teaching necessary for making mature disciples. Over the past 30 years, churches have made small groups the primary, and often only, means of turning believers into disciples. But recent surveys of the American church show ever-increasing levels of Biblical and theological illiteracy in the church. Why is this? Churches are learning that while small groups are great for fellowship and doing life together, they are not great environments for deep teaching.  English points out that the soup of deep discipleship requires two ingredients: fellowship and teaching.  We need healthy small groups AND intentional spaces for deep teaching. English implores churches to establish an intentional discipleship pathway for the church: ‘What do disciples need to know to live God-honoring lives and be fruitfully engaged in God’s gospel mission? What do they need to learn about the Bible, prayer, theology, church history, mission, marriage, stewardship, vocation, etc?’ We need to teach these things.

In High Expectations, Thom Rainer surveyed hundreds of churches asking the question, “What have you found to be most helpful to assimilate members fully into the life of the body and engage them in the ministry?” The resounding answer was, “Adult Sunday School”. There wasn’t a close second. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20, we make disciples by “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” The recovery of a robust Adult SS and the additional space for fellowship seem to be the perfect addition as we strive to be obedient to Christ’s command.

Watch Expansion Aerial Transpose

The Need

We have divided the building projects into two parts: “Basic” and “Stretch”.  We’ve also used the terms “Critical” and “Complete”. The “Critical” portion (4 adult multi-use spaces, increased foyer/fellowship, portico, with improvements to the entrance/ parking lot, and refurbished auditorium.) The total cost for this portion is $5.6 million.

That is a large sum, but the Lord is able to provide!  And that’s the good news I’ve been waiting to share with you.

The Provision

A few weeks after our joyful/painful sending off of our newest daughter church, someone informed me of a newly formed Christian foundation that might be willing to help us with our building project. We provided a proposal for them, and soon received the wonderful news that this foundation has granted us $500,000 for our building! That is the largest donation we have ever received as a church, and it is a tremendous answer to prayer.

Here are stipulations:

1. The first $250,000 will be given when we break ground and confirm we are moving forward.  The second $250,000 will follow 6 months later.

2. The Foundation has given us 1 year to break ground. If we do not break ground by the end of 2026 we can provide reasons why and ask that the original funding by reinstated.

The stated purpose of this gift is to get us over “the hump” in our building project.  

In light of this wonderful gift from the Lord, the Session has decided to move forward with purchasing the construction drawings for the building, with the hopes of breaking ground this coming Fall (2026). Friends, we are moving forward!  

Here is our current progress towards our fundraising goal for base:

That leaves us about $450K short of the $5.6 million goal, but we are trusting that the Lord will continue to provide! He does not lack the finances to accomplish His mission! We believe that as we strive to faithfully engage in His mission, He will provide all that we need.

In other good news, the congregation is responding with great generosity to our current budget shortfall. We received $56,000 in offerings for the General Fund just this past Sunday. Praise the Lord for granting us the grace of generosity!  We are involved in a great gospel mission together.  We invite you to prayerfully consider giving an extra gift this December to close the current gap and launch us into a new year of ministry for the glory of Christ!

Gratefully yours,

Pastor Dale