Update 4/2/19

Another week has passed, and there are several things in motion that we can update you on.

Invitations have been extended to several people, asking them to consider serving on the capital campaign team.  That group is forming, and hopefully, we can introduce them to you soon!

The gleaning team has orchestrated some deliveries of various goods, and they continue to finalize sales.  They are working to determine the most effective way to move forward with what remains.

We still intend to sell the North building.  It has been shown to a few interested parties, but we are waiting on the city, needing to finalize some details with them before we can list it publicly.  These types of things don't seem to rank as "urgent" for city officials, so it's been a slower process than we'd like.

In the building team meeting this week, we worked through a couple of the last pieces of the New Hope ministry plan.  We discussed the LIFEgroup ministry as well as auxiliary ministry groups that we partner with on some level like campus ministries and HIS.  It was intriguing to explore some of the existing needs and consider possibilities that may exist in having a building of our own.  In that same conversation, we examined how the Greenhouse has been used, and how it has served people and ministries in the community who don't otherwise have their own office/meeting space.  While we are yet uncertain about what space(s) we will be able to create and offer for people's use, this discussion was another valuable one as we add layers of understanding to how a space could benefit our own church body and others in the community.  It is exciting to consider the many ways a building space could function and be used all throughout the week.

Don't forget...Plan to join us on April 14th, following church, for a building team meeting update.  We hope to paint a vivid picture of the process we are in the middle of, as well as hear your questions and feedback.  Hope to see you there!

Thanks for praying:

• For those stepping up to help with capital campaign
• That the gleaning team could finish up their task fruitfully
• For a meeting with the necessary city officials in order to get the North building listed publicly
• That we would all hear God and sense how he wants to use this process and this building in our church and for His work in our town.

Virtual Tour of the North Building

Click the photo below to enjoy a virtual tour of the North Building.  It is now clean and looking pretty nice!
If you've been following along, you know this is the building we are going to sell.  In doing so, we hope to recoup much of the cost of purchasing the entire hotel property.  Please be praying for a buyer to come along!

Update 2/4/19

First of all, THANK YOU to all who came out to the hotel property last weekend to help clean at the North Building!  We had approximately 20+ people (including some students from other churches in town) and great progress was made in the effort to make the building as visually appealing as possible!  Check back later this week for a 3-D tour!

The core building team has finished reading through the book we mentioned a couple weeks ago, "Plan for It" by Tim Cool.  It has given us a common understanding and overview of the master plan process before us.  We were encouraged by how many points we've already been aware of and working on.  One impactful thought from the book was the idea that any facility a church uses is simply a tool for ministry.  Our job is to evaluate and propose a facility that can be an effective and efficient tool for who God has made New Hope to be.

As we consider how to prepare for upcoming steps, the core building team has determined that the next sub-committee we would be wise to form is a capital campaign team.  This team will be tasked with researching, planning, preparing, and carrying out the fundraising endeavor for the building project.  They will work closely with the core building team, elders, and church finance team. While a master plan for the property is yet to come together, there are many initial tasks that a capital campaign team could could begin to mobilize for.  We are prayerfully considering who could be a good fit for this team.  Do you have a recommendation for us?  Do you sense this is a way God is asking you to serve?  Please let us know by emailing jwiebers@gmail.com.

Thanks for praying:

• Praise God for a sense of unity among the building team.  Pray that we would hear from God and discern together how he is leading.
• For the sale of remaining hotel furniture as well as the North Building.
• That God would guide the formation of the capital campaign team.
• Ask the Lord how He would like to use your strengths, resources, and prayers through this project.

Update 1/28/19 and a Call for Cleaning Help

Have you driven by the hotel property and noticed the verse reference on the sign? 

 It is Isaiah 43:19.

Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. 

Of course, this verse isn't about our property specifically.  It is a prophecy that was fulfilled in Jesus Christ's first coming.  However, in some similar ways, we pray that this overgrown hotel "wilderness" would be a place where we get to see God making things new, both in the physical space and in the hearts of people who are involved there.  

As we take steps towards a master plan for bringing new life to the property, it has seemed prudent to pursue the sale of the newer, northern most hotel building, sometimes referred to as the Regency Inn, but more commonly dubbed, "The North Building".  We purchased the entire hotel property at a price far below market value with the knowledge that there could be opportunity to parcel off "The North Building" and recoup a large chunk of our initial investment.  As the core building team has considered finances, explored how the property could be divided, and what the building could possibly sell for, we have determined to move forward with trying to sell it.  There has been a notable amount of interest, but we aren't able to fully market it until it is cleaned and prettied up a bit.

"The North Building"

So, that is where you have opportunity to help!  We are hosting another cleaning party and we need you!  Would you join us!?!  Please contact Eric at eric@milestoneks.com if you plan to be there.

Saturday, February 2

10am-3pm 

(come and go as needed)

at The North Building

This aerial photo is looking towards the West.  The "North building" is near the top right.

Thank you for praying for these things:

• The gleaning team as they finalize some sales in the next week, and for wisdom as they determine what is worth selling on our own, and what to haul off for auction.
• That God would bring a buyer for the North Building.
• For how God might want to use your strengths, time, resources, and prayers to honor him through this project.  
• Isaiah 43:19 for our church.