Build It: A New Home for the Next Gen
From day one, Home Church has been committed to helping the next generation come to know Jesus!
In the fall of 2019, we began to talk about a potential building addition, but plans were paused when Covid took place. In December of 2023, conversation resumed among the Elders. Just a few weeks following that, an unnamed corporation reached out to us about potentially purchasing the Warehouse property. This was unsolicited by us and our plans to leave the Warehouse were unknown to them. In 14 years of ministry, no one has ever mentioned an interest in buying the Warehouse from us! No deal has currently been made (as we are waiting in faith), but it was the domino necessary for us to start pursuing a building addition again. It felt like God was saying, "GO!" This has been a long-time prayer of ours and has come with a lot of discussion. With all seven Elders in full agreement and seeing God's provision of putting the right people and resources in the room...We believe THE TIME IS NOW FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. We would love for you to join us in building A NEW HOME FOR THE NEXT GEN'.
For years, we have known that our Kids Ministry needs more room to grow. If you have children on Sunday mornings, you can see the ministry space is simply maxed out and sometimes overflowing! Along with that, we have dreamed of bringing the student ministry to our main site. The Warehouse, which is located at 102 N. 6th Street, has served our Middle School and High School students well for many years. However, a move to our main site will provide a safer environment for the students to meet. It will support our ministry strategy at a higher level, and it will allow for better stewardship of the resources God has granted us.
Together, we can create spaces where the next generation can come to know Jesus! This new addition will ALSO free up some much-needed space for our Staff offices, volunteer trainings, and our adult small groups! We are praying and believing this building is going to allow us to see more people saved and more Disciples made.
You can support this vision through prayer, making a financial pledge, taking part in serving the next generation at Home Church, or all of the above! We need each and every person that calls Home Church “home” to partner with us on this! We are confident this vision is going to come to fruition. "'Let us rise up and build.' Then they set their hands to this good work." Nehemiah 2:18.
Let's go!!!
Whit & Amber Lauwers
With full support and approval from the Elders: Don Sweeney, Guthrie Gardner, Hadley Phillips, Kyle Banks, Rick Roberts & Wyatt Partlow
THIS IS THE VISION:
With your prayerful and financial support we can raise the $3 million necessary to “Build it for the Next Gen!”
Partner with us in Prayer
PRAY that this building would serve as a tool to equip leaders, partner with parents and help the next generation come to know Jesus.
PRAY that this next generation would be confident in the truth, committed to Christ, and convicted to lead!
PRAY for every heart at Home Church. If one generation gets selfish, the next could be sacrificed. May we forever be a church that holds tight to why we exist and loose to how we operate. "God keep our hearts soft and our burden for the lost heavy!"
Partner with us Financially
We would love for you to fill out a donor card to make your financial commitment! We are leaning towards cash, check, and appreciated securities as our ideal way of giving. These carry no additional fees to process for the church, which makes them highly attractive. If that is not possible, or not the best for your financial situation, we are happy to take online gifts as well through PushPay.
Donor cards are available at the Build It display in the lobby!
FAQs
1: Why is “A New Home For The Next Generation” necessary?
So we can better serve the families of Home Church by providing a safe, comfortable, spacious environment for the next generation to know Jesus and grow in their faith. Currently, Home Kids’ spaces are maxed out and overflowing. Home Students meets off-site at “The Warehouse” building located at 102 N. 6th Street, and we believe our Middle and High schoolers would be best served at our main campus.
2: How are we planning to fund this project?
Through faith, we will raise the funds needed to build the project: through one-time gifts, three-year pledges, and a loan IF NEEDED. There is a possibility that we could need a bridge loan to cover the cash flow as we move through this project. We know the people of Home Church see the value of serving our next generation for many years to come with this addition.
3: What does 3 million dollars cover?
$2.2 million is allocated to build a brand new 10,675 square foot addition which will be attached to the existing building. Included in the addition are separate Home Kids and Home Students auditoriums, classrooms, small group rooms furnishings, storage spaces, and outdoor play areas.
$500,000 is allocated to adding an additional 120 parking spaces to the north and east sides of the property, as well as replacing the concrete under the existing church portico area. Additionally, the City of Charleston and the Illinois Department of Transportation are requiring Home Church to install a storm water detention and management system. This will consist of an earthen berm installed along the east, north and west property lines where the current north rock parking lot is located. The City of Charleston also requires Home Church to install additional landscaping to align with city codes. Leadership agrees that this will be money well spent and allow for Home Church to better meet the current parking needs and future growth, as well as beautify the exterior property.
Lastly, $300,000 is allocated to pay for interest expense on the project’s loan. While leadership would like to avoid paying interest, it has been concluded that a loan may be necessary to get the project off the ground in 2025. The goal is to pay this project off as quickly as possible and Lord willing that will happen in 2025 through the generosity of our church.
4: Why are we doing this now?
We have been praying about this for years! Leadership and the elders began planning and praying for this project back in 2019. Given the current needs of the ministry and considering the gifts and talents that are available to us among the Elders and Staff, we feel God has opened the doors to move forward. Above all, leadership is unified and feels God is saying “Go!” We believe NOW is the time to build!
5: What happens if the project goes over budget?
If the project goes over budget, we have some options that can be used to fill the gaps. The church can put certain work on hold to be completed in the future when funds are available. The church has money in savings that could be used. It is not currently allocated for that purpose, but could be used if needed. There are plans in place to sell The Warehouse. These funds could be used as well.
6: Will my tithe be going toward the new building addition?
No, regular giving will not be earmarked for this project. We encourage everyone to continue to give with their tithes as this is an essential part of how we do ministry day in and day out. The building addition is an above and beyond offering or pledge.
7: I don’t regularly give to or attend Home Church. Can I still give to this addition?
Absolutely. We are more than grateful to accept any gifts from anyone wanting to be a part of this very exciting project!
8: What will happen to the existing space that Home Kids currently occupies?
We are excited to transition that space to a much-needed office and meeting space for Staff and adult small groups that meet throughout the week. This is a valuable space that will allow us to further support the vision and mission of the church for all ages.
9: What will happen to “The Warehouse” at 102 N. 6th Street?
Our plan is to sell the property when we no longer see a use for it! Any proceeds from this sale will be applied to any debt remaining on the project, at the time of sale.
10: Will a General Contractor be hired to complete the construction?
No, we will save a considerable amount of money by not hiring a general contractor and being able to use the talent and resources within the Elder Board to facilitate this project from start to finish.
11: When do we plan on starting construction of this addition?
We plan to start construction by the middle of 2025, depending on fundraising abilities and construction timing.
12: Do the current tithes and offerings support the estimated costs to sustain this new addition once the work is finished?
Yes. The new addition will cost us an estimate of about $15,000 a year more than we currently spend. If our tithes and offerings remain the same we will have the margin to maintain it.
13: How can I be involved?
We want and need every person within Home Church to be with us on this mission! We are building this so the next generation can know Jesus and then go change the world! Whether it is prayer, making a financial contribution, or taking part serving the next generation, we need YOU!