A Letter from Pastor Rod
At the beginning of March, I sent you a letter about Make A Way – a project designed to address multiple areas of need on our campus. We had planned to receive an offering and building fund commitments the first weekend of April.
But, the timing of my letter was unfortunate. A week later, the Coronavirus crisis began and church services moved to online only for 2 ½ months. We postponed the special offering and commitments because we weren’t meeting together and the economic future was uncertain.
However, many of you began giving immediately. Because of your help, we’ve already renovated our student ministry area, the main lobby, and the guest center. I can’t wait for you to see all the changes!
Although we have resumed in person services, our church family has been slow to return. We are currently averaging 37% of our pre-Covid attendance. In the next few weeks, we will resume Connections Classes and Children’s Ministry. Although some families will choose that as the time to resume, others will continue to attend online only.
I understand. While we have worked hard to make our church a safe, socially distanced place, the vulnerable and those with high risk factors are wisely being cautious. Pastor Parker and the online team have done an incredible job keeping us connected! Whether worshipping together in person or online, we are one church – united in mission, purpose, and His love.
Like you, I am praying for an answer – the virus to stop, a cure to be found, or a vaccine developed. While we pray and trust the Lord, it seems wise to adjust our strategy.
Our initial estimate for the total cost of the project was approximately three million dollars – the largest building need in my history as senior pastor. At the time, that amount seemed reasonable and something we could easily accomplish together. However, after prayer, study, numerous meetings, consultation with our board and a God-inspired idea, we are making significant adjustments to the plan.
We have two main priorities that must be addressed:
- A dedicated space for ministry to senior adults. Many of our seniors struggle with the walk from the front door to their connections class and back to the sanctuary. It’s a challenge we’ve been talking about, but unsure how to address until now. The current nursery area will be renovated to become an area for ministry to senior adults, including a large, 2,000 square foot classroom for connections classes, a smaller classroom, and a separate coffee area. This will make a way for our seniors to attend both church and connections class without hardship or obstacles. In addition, our seniors will have a dedicated entrance. Those with higher risk factors will be able to enter the church, attend class and then sit in a designated area of our sanctuary without close contact with any other part of our church family. We must make it accessible, easy and safe for our seniors!
- A high security children’s ministry space with unified check-in for all age children. Here’s where the God-inspired idea comes in. For several weeks, I was thinking about a plan. It seemed almost crazy to me, so I was hesitant to share it. Finally, one evening, I shared it with Cindy. To my surprise, she didn’t think I was crazy! We called the architect and several team members. They all drove to the church to hear my idea. Another surprise – they immediately began dreaming with me. Then, we met with the board. One more surprise, they also sensed this was God’s answer to our challenge.
In the original plan, we were building a new structure between the current preschool area and the children’s ministry building (The M.A.C.). It was going to include new offices, classrooms, and a large lobby connecting the two buildings. Instead, we have decided to build the hallway first! We plan to call it “The Portal.”
The current preschool area and offices will be renovated to make space for preschool, nursery and a new check-in lobby for all children – nursery through 5th grade. Families will check in all their kids at one time, in one place. Elementary age kids will then travel through the high-tech portal to their ministry area.
Preschool children will now have access to the Party Zone in the M.A.C. for indoor play. We’re adding some cool new features to make it even better. And, we are building an outdoor playground for preschoolers! The team is super excited and the kids are going to love it!
The new connector building and check in lobby, along with a new, high-tech check in system will help us create a more secure, safe space for all our children.
Now, here’s the fun part. All the site work and parking lot changes will be done now. As we grow back and require the space, we will build the original planned building around the hallway. When classrooms are needed, they will be added on the west side. When a larger lobby is needed, it will be added on the east side. Instead of building all at once, we will build each space as needed. Best of all, instead of spending three million dollars now, we will spend less than a fourth of that – approximately $600,000 – $700,000.
I’m very excited about this. I truly believe God helped us design a new, better strategy as we move forward. These changes will affect our entire church family – from babies and toddlers to elementary age children, students, young families, single parents, grandparents, and senior adults.
Cindy and I are excited to invest in our children and our grandchildren and in the unique multi-generational ministry of our church. Although the cost has changed, Cindy and I feel the Lord would have us stick to our original commitment – $50,000. Now, that’s even more of a stretch for us, but we are determined to be obedient and lead the way, confident that the Lord will provide!
On Saturday, September 5th, and Sunday, September 6th, we will take a special offering to start the project.
I am asking you to join Cindy and me in making a commitment to be given over the next two years. I am praying you will be led by God and moved by the need to make a way for all generations. I am specifically asking God for some to join Cindy and me in giving $50,000 or more. Others may be able to give $10,000 or $20,000. But, the key is that everyone in our church family gives. Whether your gift is $1,000 a month, $100 a month, or $25 a month, it will make a difference!
Making a Way,
Pastor Rod Loy