An Update on Phase 4
A letter from David about Defining Moment
All Campuses
Dear Long Hollow Family,
I hope you’re having a great week! Thanks for taking the time to read this letter. This Sunday at the close of the morning services, we will have a brief presentation regarding Phase 4. I wanted to write and give you some information prior to the presentation.
Defining Moment, from the outset, was a plan to fund the majority of the cost of Phase 4 construction. We said that we would be willing to incur some debt, but only an amount that is manageable and fiscally responsible. The idea was that we would not build more than we could afford.
Our Defining Moment giving is not coming in at a pace that will allow us to meet our original pledge totals. Additionally, due to the change in annual budget trends, we will not be able to service the amount of debt originally thought possible. These two realities together mean that we must make some adjustments to our building plans.
In light of these factors and after much prayer and discussion, the Leadership Team, Resource Team and Building Team recommend that we modify our original plan as follows:
- Move forward with construction of the Kids Center. This will give us much needed space for our growing preschool and children’s ministries, as well as allow us to move adults back on campus from the annex.
- Wait until January to make a decision on the Sports and Fitness Center. Though we anticipate building this facility, it would be wise to wait until a few more months of Defining Moment pledges are in, including year-end giving, to make sure we are financially in a position to build it now.
- Due to the cost, delay construction of the Student Building until Phase 5. If we are able to build the Sports and Fitness Center, we still will be able to move students back on campus utilizing this facility.
I think you would agree that it’s important for us as a church to be good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. We have to adjust to the reality of our situation. If we proceed with the total project, we would incur an unreasonable amount of debt that would impact our ability to fund our ministries.
I don’t want us to be discouraged by these developments. We have already completed the ring road, bridge (can somebody say amen?!), additional parking, and much needed office space. The Kids Center expansion, when completed, will more than double our space for preschoolers and children. In all probability, we will complete a Sports and Fitness Center in Phase 4 as well, giving us tons of multi-use options, including youth space, with this facility. That’s a lot to be thankful for!!
We’ll give more details this Sunday. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call the church office.
I love you folks and look forward to seeing you Sunday!! Stay fired up!
Yours in Christ,
