The need for a comprehensive, long-range facilities plan is clear. We have known that there are some larger maintenance issues that will need to be addressed in the next five to ten years (like water pipes and roofing). If major work is to be done, it should be done in a way that works with a long-term vision rather than hinders future change or is pieced together haphazardly.
Here is the exciting part. God has already begun to provide for this. Through the sale of a portion of the parking lot last summer funds became available to begin to form a plan. After some months of work with an architect, and consultation with a contractor, the elder team shared these concepts and a budget estimate with the congregation at the Annual Business Meeting.
We are now launching a capital campaign to raise funds to see the vision become reality. The estimate to do the first phase is $650,000. To reach this goal, we expect to use approximately $150,000 from the sale of the parking lot. This is enough to get us started. For the remainder we plan to raise $250,000 from the congregation and finance $250,000. If we can raise more than that, we can consider the second phase as well. This is a big vision. We will need to work together to achieve it. We will need some people to give one time gifts. We also need people to give pledges and ongoing gifts for the next one to three years.
I am asking you to do two things. First, please pray that God will provide for this project. Unless he blesses it, our labors will be in vain. We recognize that any success we see will depend on his provision, whether that is in our personal lives or in the life of the church. Second, please prayerfully consider how much you can give toward this project. We are looking to build our faith by depending on God to provide for this project through your gifts and for him to provide for your needs at the same time. What would be a faith building financial commitment for you?
Some of the objectives are:
Replace old water pipes.
Replace an aging roof.
Improve the curb appeal of the campus.
Improve the flow of the campus.
Add additional fellowship space.
Open up the sanctuary.
Move the kitchen to the Fellowship Hall.
Enlarge the bathrooms.
Highlight the entrance to the sanctuary building.
Add a sound booth.
Improve the overall quality of the buildings.
If you have any questions about the vision or the process, let me know. I would be happy to discuss it with you.
Following Christ together,
Pastor Travis
