Most Recent Frequently Asked Questions

Over the last two weeks a number of our elders have gone to the adult Sunday School classes and discussed the following questions. If you were not able to be in one of these classes we hope this information will be helpful. As always, if you have any questions, please contact us.

Q. Why was the building size reduced?

A. It was reduced by 15% due to financial reasons. It was reduced from 117,000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft. Our current building is 75,000 sq ft. Even with a reduction, this building is 33% larger than the existing space and much more efficient. Even with a reduction, we will still be able to accomplish all of our essential ministry functions.

Q. How are we accommodating ministries in a smaller building?

A. The youth will have dedicated space in the southwest wing and the leadership is excited for this change. This new space will allow for additional growth. The nursery space will be conveniently located next to the Worship Center along Main Street. Most of the chapel functions will take place in the Worship Center or in the large Main Street Lobby area.

Q. What is the general financial breakdown of the $29 mil project? What is the projected loan amount? What are we projecting as the monthly payment for this loan amount?

A.

· Land cost = $5.9 mil

· Professional services = $1.7 million

· Construction = $16.6 million

· Equipment and furnishings = $1.5 million

· miscellaneous = $2.7 million

· contingency and reserves = $1.0 million

· In-kind services ($400,000)

· Total project cost $29.0 million

· Projected loan amount = $16 mil permanent loan

· Projected monthly loan payment = $100,000

Q. What is the likely funding option?

A. At this point the most likely funding scenario is through a bond issue. We are still working through all of the underwriting details and there will be more information available at the Open Forums.

Q. What will be taking place over the next few months prior to ground breaking?

A. The Building Committee will be working to complete construction documents and completing the paperwork for building permits and approvals for construction; The Finance Committee will be completing the paperwork and details related to the bond issue. The congregation will be voting on approval of the funding package in April.

Q. What is the purpose of the Open Forums on March 1 and 8? When will we be voting on the funding for the project?

A. The purpose of these Open Forums will be to make short presentations on the building redesign and the funding options but they are really for you to come and ask your questions. The church vote for funding will be in April.

Q. How can I be involved?

A. Keep praying with us for God’s wisdom and guidance; continue your faithful giving to the general budget and the building fund. If at all possible, fulfill your pledge early; attend the open forum and funding informational sessions if you have questions and/or concerns. Our desire is to keep you informed and involved in the process.

Complementing Our Efforts With Youth

I cannot wait to begin ministry in our new church building.  The youth center will greatly complement our efforts to influence youth for God.  We have had to make some adjustments to the layout of the building, all of which have upgraded the potential of the youth center.  The new layout has the youth center on the southwest side of the building.  This move has provided us with a lot more square footage.  More than 300 youth will be able to worship God together in a facility designed just for them.  Also, by being on the opposite side of the main lobby from our Children’s Ministry, families will congregate back in the middle, enhancing our fellowship as a whole church body.  This is going to be incredible.  Please pray with me that we can break ground soon and see these visions become a reality.  We are called to something BIG!

JP

This is an exciting time...

Yesterday in our services Andy Limes provided an update on our building project. In the event you missed his presentation we wanted to send you the highlights:

Here’s what God has done in the past couple of years for Mission Hills Church 

• God provided land many said we’d never own
• God brought a buyer for our existing building in record time
• God revealed a ministry plan for the next 50 years
• And, God has done much of this in an economy which is less than favorable

The building team, finance team, ministry team, and elders have been hard at work behind the scenes.  They have done research of similar projects, analysis, engineering, and, most of all, prayed for God’s wisdom and leading.                     

As a result, the project has been broken into two phases.  Phase One is now a $29 million project (this amount includes all of the expenses: land purchase, building costs, and soft costs) which will easily and effectively accommodate all existing ministries.  Reducing the project to this amount reflects good stewardship of current and future Mission Hills’ resources which is a high value to our leadership teams.  

Please visit ww.MissionHills.org/big  to view Phase One floor plans and exterior views (click on: “revised floor plan and elevation”).

Open forums will be held on March 1 and 8 following the second service at 12:15p.m., and will provide additional information regarding financing and the building project.

 Please continue to pray for the process, specifically for:

• God’s wisdom and leading
• Favor with financing options—we have three possibilities in the works
• Continued faithful giving to both the general fund and building fund
• Timing - this may be the best time in the last five years to build due to the economic downturn (a silver lining)
• Everything to come together for a summer groundbreaking

Children and Our Future

“What a GREAT Sunday we had a couple of weeks ago!  Standing outside in 20 degree weather with flurries coming down watching the Kindergartners and 2^nd Graders duct tape Matt and Steve to a tree. They had this opportunity because they won the “Resourcefulness” challenge. (Resourcefulness was the virture we emphasized in January.)

 As I watched them excitedly duct tape Matt and Steve to this tree. I couldn’t help but fast forward two years from now.  I became so excited thinking about the many possibilities of impacting kids for Jesus that we will have in our new building.  I found myself picturing new faces of little ones that will be coming to Mission Hills Church.  My heart is full of gratitude for God’s goodness and I can’t wait to see His plan for RahaPlace and Kids’ Sidewalk over the next few years.”

Heidi