We are building two things. Most importantly, we are excited to watch the Spirit build faith in the lives of everyone involved in this journey and those whose lives we will touch as a result of it. We will also be building an addition on the northeast corner of our campus that will add about 9,650 square feet of space.

The three-level addition will include large gathering areas that will be used for Bible study, fellowship before and after worship, a lower level with a kitchen to host dinners and events for over 100 people, an expanded area for our neighborhood food bank, a multi-purpose space for youth ministry and additional office space. Everything will be wheelchair accessible.

What is the timing of the project?

In April of 2008, Emmanuel’s voters approved the Building Faith vision for ministry. In July of 2009, members provided input on initial design ideas and building needs. In March of 2010, after time to gather information and prepare our own hearts for this step of faith, members will be asked to make a financial commitment. God willing, construction is set to begin this summer and conclude in 2011.

From its conception, this project has been driven by the mission and vision of the congregation — not by numbers or dollars. Initial estimates (prior to bids) are $2.4 million. We hope to raise just over $3 million in gifts and grants to also fund other improvements that include: the sanctuary roof, pipe organ, interior sanctuary renovation, additional (and accessible) parking and the conversion of the activities center into classrooms to accommodate our growing school. God has led us to this point, and we are confident He will provide what we need.

Primary support will come through the gifts of members and friends of the congregation. As a supplement, we are pursuing grants from other organizations including the Lutheran Foundation. We will ask people to make a three-year commitment, but gifts can be made monthly, quarterly or annually (or through more non-traditional means like transferring assets or investments). We don’t want to incur any long-term debt and will use a three-year bridge loan to sustain the project until the commitments are fulfilled.

What counts is the faith God builds as we each make a gift that is meaningful and sacrificial for our individual life. We welcome and invite every member — all ages and generations — to take this step of faith and become personally involved and invested in what God is accomplishing through our Church. It is not the size of the gift, but the heart of faith from which it is given.

Absolutely not! This campaign is first and foremost about faith. Your participation is voluntary and should always be motivated by an inner desire to respond to God’s love — not by guilt, peer pressure or other superficial concerns.

From the beginning, a groundswell of support for this project has brought it together in a very natural and positive way. The process has been consensus driven and continuously affirmed by many considerations along the way. At its very core, this is not about a building, it’s about a ministry that needs to continue regardless of the state of the economy or other outside concerns. God has led us to this point and He will lead us to respond as well.

Emmanuel’s historic architecture is one of our greatest physical treasures. Great care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the current building while pairing it with a modern addition that complements the historic aesthetics. As was the case in 1966 with the addition of Brandt Hall, an intentional decision was made not to copy the 1867
sanctuary. For our 2010 addition, architect David West of Design Collaborative has drawn inspiration from the designs of the past, while incorporating contemporary ideas to communicate the era in which this addition will function.