(Some pastoral thoughts on our upcoming Capital Campaign)
Dear Elim Grace, I hope our mission is now written on your mind and your heart: to grow a BIG people in Christ.
CAMPAIGN VALUES: As you now know, we are planning, working and moving towards expansion, an important part of which will be a capital campaign. As I look forward to that campaign in the Fall, I want to begin to share some of what’s on my heart and some of the values that will drive that campaign. They are: Live generously, generationally and gloriously
CAMPAIGN VISION: The kingdom of God is here. We believe that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ the kingdom of heaven has broken in upon the earth. We are now citizens of heaven, born and born again for such a time as this, called to make Jesus known — “to proclaim the excellencies of HIM” (1 Peter 2:9-10). We are here not by accident but by divine purpose. We are here not to make our own way but to walk in obedience to God’s Word, to keep pace with the Spirit, through Whom it is “no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
Imagine a vast network of roots spread throughout our city and county. The network is a BIG people in Christ — BIG in His generosity, love, mercy, grace, love, joy, faith and power. Through a BIG people families and generations are transformed, which in turn can transform the societal landscape. In other words, disciples are made. Through a BIG people a network of ministries and faith-based organizations built from the ground up can bring prosperity, healing, hope and security in Christ to our city and county. Through a BIG people “citizens of heaven” can be equipped and sent to serve and to change the systems of our city and county from within.
We are not growing a big church but a BIG people. We’re not living only for God’s purpose for us today and we’re not building only towards God’s purpose for us tomorrow. We’re putting down deep roots into God’s purposes for the generations to come after us. We are one Elim Grace – past, present, and future – and what we do today is not strictly for ourselves. What we build is not strictly for this moment in time. Rather, we are a part of something much larger than us. We are a part of something eternal on earth, a process ongoing, directed, and empowered by the Spirit of God to the glory of Jesus Christ alone. If we, then, walk step in step with the Spirit, we will not fail.
We live generously, generationally, and, above all, gloriously. Not with a glory or a light of our own, but with a glory that belongs to Jesus Christ. He alone is the perfect image and radiance of God. He alone has died and was raised on our behalf. He alone is our living hope and joy and strength. He alone has abundant life, forgiveness of sins and everlasting freedom. In His glory is our light and life, our identity and fulfillment. Whether in suffering and trial or in joy and abundance.
We could build a successful church without Jesus, Elim Grace, but we can’t build HIS church. If we want to be part of something generous that changes the landscape of our city and county, of something that carries over from generation to generation into eternity, of something that reflects the glory and beauty of God, then it will be only through Jesus. Through His power and to His fame. He said He will build His church. He will grow His vine. He will increase His kingdom. And this only through His Spirit. Our great joy, Elim Grace, is to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9-10). In the light of His glory, we can be a bright city set on a hill. In the strength of His presence, we can make it through the waters to the other side.
CAMPAIGN OUTCOME: Our building is a practical tool designed and employed to accomplish God’s will for us. We are partnering with God to build His kingdom (in people and communities) and this requires our facilities. We are following the prophetic leading of the Lord, which began in early 2020 right before the great turbulence of our times which followed. Yet, we persevered through it all. We believe God again confirmed His word to us prophetically in June of 2023. We are certain that through sacrifice, generosity and faith to God’s voice, we will be successful.
Through our facilities we sow generously into people’s lives, into our community and into the kingdom of God. The current use of our building is up 2-3 times a day, every day, every week, every month. The current use, though, is capped by the lack of space.
Our new facility will include new classrooms, new offices, new and much needed storage space, and a new sanctuary. (We also have plans to expand our kitchen, if possible.) The 500 seat area was reduced to 422 for several reasons, such as parking, pricing, a focus on more classroom space and a better quality sanctuary. Again, all that we are doing is not about size or numbers, but about that which best supports the ministry of Elim Grace. While our design-build company, D’Agostino, will build the infrastructure and complete the sanctuary, there will be much work that we finish as a congregation (building out of classrooms, offices, etc.)
So, more classrooms, new offices and a new sanctuary will mean more opportunities for more ministry to take place and for us to serve our community in more ways (voting site, blood drives, Farnham staff trainings, etc.). And ministry and serving is nothing if it doesn’t impact people’s lives.
Our current sanctuary will become a fellowship space to be used before, between and after our Sunday services, as well as for smaller events and meetings, for our youth ministry and for overflow when necessary.
EXPANSION COSTS AND CAMPAIGN GOAL: Of course the cost will involve dollars and cents. When we first built our current church facility it cost us $1.8 million. This was in 2006-2008. We were a much smaller congregation then. We had a successful campaign of $600,000, yet no collateral, but favor with banks. We went ahead and paid off our loan and mortgage in 13 years, an incredible feat by God’s grace! We are in a much better financial position today and with a larger church family. But more than that, we have no reason to doubt God’s grace is still on us and for us today! So even though we find ourselves in a different day and time, we believe the plans of God are as possible in 2024 as they were in 2007. They are possible for Him!
This new expansion is but a continuation of the old (with our current site being zoned for the expansion). The cost is estimated to be around $2.8 – $3.2 million (an engineering estimate with firm pricing is still in progress). While this amount is intimidating to consider, I am confident in our financial stewardship, generosity and faith. What God has done once, He can do again. Our capital campaign goal will most likely be $750,000.
This expansion will require sacrifice. There’s no way around it. But the testimony of those who have gone before us, bears witness to the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The call to build and to sow in the kingdom of God always comes with a cost, whether it be giving of money or giving of time and energy. We are all being called by God to equal sacrifice, not equal giving. We are all being called to “walk in faith and build in love” (our first capital campaign theme). We are all being called to continue the work, to continue the race, that God has entrusted to us. May we continue to be faithful as one Elim Grace – past, present, future – and may we all say over the next three years, “Look at what God has done! Only He could have accomplished this!”