Getting Caught Up

Before we move forward, updating on the process, it may serve us well to recap briefly how we got here.  Let's travel back to the beginning.  From the start, New Hope has been a body of Christ-followers who have had a high value for relationships as we explore the Gospel's implications.  This value has informed much of our church culture.  The early body of New Hope was never explicitly against having a church building, but for many years, church size and finances, among other things, made Sunday morning facility rental the best fit.  Much of church activity has functioned outside of a central building in the context of relational circles.  This has worked sufficiently, but in recent years, leaders have acknowledged more consistently the limitations we experience without a space of our own.

Over the past 15 years, our church has explored various options for obtaining our own space.  Leaders have looked at many properties, talked with other churches in town, and even purchased land at one point.  It was eventually the sale of that land which enabled New Hope to build the Greenhouse office and study center with out incurring any debt.  The Greenhouse allowed us to have our own office space as well as space for some church activity throughout the week.  But until this most recent hotel property came on the radar of church leadership, a worship facility of our own continued to seem out of reach for the body of New Hope.

In early/mid 2018, some people in our community started to wonder if God might be up to something as they were made aware of a foreclosed hotel property that had been sitting vacant for a long time.  Inquiries were made, prayers were prayed, and leaders brought the conversation to the larger church body.  The feedback from the people of New Hope included much excitement and optimism mixed with a healthy bit of trepidation and uncertainty.  A finance team was formed to prayerfully assess the church's ability to make an offer.  Following a time of prayer and evaluation, the team made a recommendation as to what we could offer.  It was far below the asking price.  With humble hearts and open hands, we submitted the offer, and to our amazement...it was accepted!  God had worked as only He can.

We took ownership of the hotel in early Fall.  So, here we are, moving forward to steward the property God has given us.  He has shown Himself faithful to lead and provide, and we trust He will continue.