1. GROWING THE DREAM

2. Approximately fifteen years ago, our church leadership had a God-inspired dream to reach thousands of children, teens & families in our community for Christ.

3. After much prayer and planning, in 2002 we more than doubled the size of the original church building and included a multipurpose worship center that could hold a variety of events.

4. That expansion included a lobby and welcome center, additional classrooms, a new nursery facility and expanded staff offices.

5. Upward Sports served as the cornerstone of our outreach efforts, and the new facility could accommodate two basketball courts.

6. Additionally, the original worship center was repurposed as the Family Life Center and renovated to create another multipurpose area and a third basketball court.

7. The goal of the 2002 expansion was to provide a facility and parking to comfortably accommodate 500 people in worship on Sundays.

8. God has blessed that dream !!!!!!

9. o Hundreds of children, teens and adults have given their lives to Jesus Christ and many families have been transformed. o Several new ministries have been started in addition to Upward Sports.

10. S ince 2002 our church has grown 60% o From 327 people to 524 people in morning worship; o From 257 people to 397 people in small groups.

11.  We’re out of room for small groups.  We’re at 100% capacity at peak times.  We’re using spaces for small groups never intended to be used (offices, chapel, etc.)

12. The original dream was never intended to end there. After much prayer and strategizing, it’s time for Growing The Dream

13.  To make room for more people  To make room for more Christ followers  To make room for transforming more lives

14. In order to respond to God’s blessings of growth, our church leadership is proposing three things:

15. 1.Create more small group space by renovating and expanding the auxiliary building (staff house) and moving the offices to it. This will create room for 21 more groups to meet at peak times (Sundays & Wednesdays)

16. 2. Expand the parking lot by 68 spaces.

17. 3. Refresh the current facility by replacing flooring, painting, updating and replacing worn out equipment, etc. throughout the building.

18. Growing The Dream What will Growing The Dream allow us to do? Expand the teen ministry (café area will become teen center) Expand the children’s ministry (extra classroom, expanded family comfort room and more use of the FLC)

19. Expand small group ministry to comfortably accommodate 250 more people. Enable the church to grow to 750 - 1,000 people in attendance for weekend services.

20. Enable our church to go to the next level AND Remain flexible to whatever is God’s “next thing” for us.

21. What is my role? Pray May 3 All-Church Prayer at 6:00 PM About your level of financial support Attend an Informational & Q/A Gathering on May 11 th or 14 th at 7:00 PM