Capital Campaign

It was just over a year ago (April 2008) when the members of Grand Avenue began conversations about what forms of ministry we as a church needed to turn our attentions to in order to fulfill our mission “to make disciples of Jesus Christ” and our vision “to be the vital heart of Jesus Christ in our community.” In doing so we realized that our facilities, which have served us for 85 years now, cannot effectively be adapted in those ways that we know will help us more fully live into our mission and vision, namely: 

At the same time Grand Avenue was considering its possibilities for the future, the members of Wesley UMC were wondering about their future as well. So in September, when conversations began between our two congregations, it took little time for us to realize that together we could do so much more than we were doing separately. On January 1, 2009 we united with a new, common vision for our future.

 

Now as one congregation, our ultimate goal is to construct a new church home that will serve as a base of ministry in our community, nation, and world for many generations to come. Our intention is to construct a facility that denotes the permanency we believe First UMC will have within the life of the community. We also intend to construct a facility that has the flexibility for not only the types of ministry and worship that we already enjoy as a congregation, but also for the many kinds of new ministries not yet envisioned.

 

We have already developed a Master Plan for the new facilities that includes all the areas of ministry that we anticipate needing space for in the next 20-30 years with a projection of steady growth in membership and participation. The construction of the new facility has been broken down into phases that make sense for fundraising. Our intent in all of this is to be faithful to the vision that God has provided while also being good stewards of our financial resources and not creating financial difficulties in the process.

 

Having been the recipient of generous donations in the past, we have already been able to purchase the five acres of land adjacent to the Wesley Campus, giving us a total of ten acres on which to build.

 

We have now begun a Capital Campaign to raise the funds to bring God's vision to reality. We'd like for you to be a part. 

 

The theme for our Capital Campaign is “United We Grow.” We recognize that what we are undertaking will create growth on so many levels: membership growth, spiritual growth, ministry growth, and growth of the Kingdom of God.

 

The fundraising goal for this campaign is $2 million. With estimated costs of $1 million for Phase 1 and an additional $1 million for Phase 2, we have faith that this campaign will provide adequate funds to build the Family Life Center, and most of the funds necessary to build the Education and Administrative building as well. The more we receive in pledges and gifts, the more we can build!

 

 

With God’s help and the prayers and support of our church family and friends, we will boldly step into the future, excited for what is to come. We hope that you will join us in this effort.