“Orchard Hills Church,

Can I be honest with you all for a moment? Carolyn and I have been a part of five building campaigns, and the thought of yet another one doesn’t immediately fill my heart with great joy. We have ‘dug deep’ before, not just giving up a cup of coffee per week (not that we drink coffee) or selling some items at a garage sale, but liquidating long-term savings and investments. But as I take inventory of what those investments have provided and the countless lives that have been changed for the sake of eternity, I can’t think of any better investment that we have made TOGETHER in our 35 years of marriage (I guess our children would be a close second). We have a great opportunity and a daunting task before us to continue to make room for God to move in the lives of thousands of people in our community, an opportunity that will bear eternal fruit long after we are all gone and forgotten. Will you take a leap of faith with us and dig deep as God leads you, making an investment that will produce dividends beyond your lifetime? While the task before us is overwhelming to me, I believe that TOGETHER, with God’s leading and our obedience, we can do it!”

 
 
 
 
 

TIMELINE OF ORCHARD HILLS

A lifetime of memories! Here’s several key moments in the story God is still telling…

 

WHERE WE’VE BEEN…

For over 20 years, Orchard Hills has been a church with a simple focus: to be a group of ordinary people investing in others for the sake of eternity. Through the years, God has blessed this vision and allowed us to join in His Kingdom work as we’ve seen people come, grow, and go, following Jesus and making disciples both here and around the world. As we’ve planted churches, expanded our facilities, sent people out on mission, and served our local community, God has continued to grow us into a healthy and vibrant church.

 WHERE WE ARE…

We believe that we’re right where God wants us, doing the right things for the right reasons. Our focus remains consistent; however, our needs have changed. Over the last three years, we’ve grown from a weekly average attendance of 367 to 638, but with our current space, we cannot continue to sustain such growth. Our sanctuary is at max capacity, we have no indoor space for large gatherings, and our lobby is an uncomfortable bottleneck. As our vision for ministry continues to expand, we find ourselves limited by our facilities and at a pivotal moment in our story.

WHERE WE’RE GOING…

We believe the time has come for us to step forward in bold faith, trusting God to provide the resources for the expansion of our facilities and our continued ministry. If we are serious about reaching this community with the gospel, we must stand united TOGETHER with God and TOGETHER with one another. As our generous God continues to remake us from the inside out, we know that he will be faithful to provide through his people everything that is needed for us to continue investing in the lives of others TOGETHER.

 

GOALS OF TOGETHER

GOAL #2:

$8,000,000 for the expansion of our ministry budget and our facilities for the next two years, enabling us to continue to expand the work God has given us to do both locally and globally.

GOAL #1:

100% participation from the people of Orchard Hills to consider how God is calling us to be people generously investing TOGETHER for the sake of eternity.

 

FUNDING BREAKDOWN:

Year One Ministry Budget: 1.4 MILLION

Year Two Ministry Budget: 1.5 MILLION

Capital Need for Building: 5.1 MILLION

 
 

PEOPLE INVESTING IN PEOPLE FOR ETERNITY

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PEOPLE INVESTING IN PEOPLE FOR ETERNITY |

 

CHECK OUT THE RENDERING OF OUR NEW FACILITIES!

NEXT STEPS

PRAY

The prophet Isaiah asks a powerful question: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak (Is 40:28-29).” Our faith doesn’t come from our personality or even our emotions, but from seeking God through prayer. Our faith comes from being with Jesus. Ask God what He wants you to give to the initiative. Surrender all you are and all you have to Him. Be confident in our all-powerful God as you pray!

REFELCT

As you pray, we believe the Holy Spirit will speak to you. Take some time to reflect on what you think God is saying to you. If you are married, talk to your spouse about where you sense the Holy Spirit leading. If you find yourselves in different places, continue to pray and reflect, humbling yourselves before God and each other.

TAKE A STEP

Discipleship and stewardship go hand in hand. As we go deeper into our relationship with God, we learn what it means to value Him above all else. Growing as a follower of Jesus is a journey of ongoing steps of trust in Jesus. We don’t grow without taking a step of faith. So growing in generosity requires us to take a step in trusting Jesus as we give what He has called us to give. We do this because we value Him above all things. We know that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

 

FAQ

  • Yes. We hope to begin construction on the initial phase of the plan outlined in the guidebook in early 2025.

  • Yes. Our leadership team, Elders, and others have been praying and meeting about this for years now. We are convinced that this is what God is leading us to do in the season.

  • Beginning on Sunday, October 27th, 2024 all giving will go to funding the elements of the TOGETHER initiative. We are asking people to give toward this vision over a 24 month period. We are planning to fund expanded ministry from day one.

  • No. We currently owe about $2 million on our existing facilities and do not believe it would be wise to take on more debt. Our plan is to build as the Lord provides the funds.

  • What we’re praying for is the opposite to happen! We’re hoping to see an even greater response than we are planning for. That said, all of the ministry initiatives will continue to move forward and the building will be phased in the following manner: 1. Parking, 2. Sanctuary, 3. Entrance, 4. Kitchen and Common Space.

  • We’re excited to be working with G&H Contracting as our builder.

  • We will not go to one service. Our current sanctuary seats 300, and our new one will seat 700. Since we’re maxed out as it is, we would be totally full if we went to one service in the new building! Tentatively, we also plan to continue with outdoor services.

  • Fortunately, our current children’s space is not maxed out. We can still use other rooms for children on Sundays, we’ll just need some more volunteers!

  • No problem.

    Reach out to Scott McLucas (scott@orchardhillschurch.org). We will continue to update the congregation along the way!