1. Where is our new church home to be located?
We have purchased approximately 10 acres located on Yankee Street. The property is situated on the west side of Yankee between Lyons Road and Spring Valley.

2. What is the planned size of the building?
The building footprint is approximately 20,000 square feet.

3. What ministries are planned for the building?
There is an auditorium, children’s and student ministry space, office and a café. In addition there
are a few classroom spaces that can be used for education classes like SHAPE and Starting Point.

4. How many seats are in the auditorium?
450 for services, but the room is being designed as a multi-purpose space for all types of use.

5. Who is going to build the building and how were they selected?
Our Management Team interviewed 3 different construction companies that were qualified to complete a design/build project of this size. Each firm was asked to submit a bid based on the project scope, as we knew it at that time. Bruns General was selected, not because they were the cheapest bid (they were in the middle), but because of the services that they offered, their experiences in working with multiple churches and their reputation!

6. When can we expect to move into our new building?
We are hoping to begin construction in June of this year with an anticipated completion of early 2009.

7. Can we expand as our church grows?
With 10 acres there is definitely room for growth. We have developed a master plan that will include the potential for a larger auditorium and additional spaces for students and children’s. The building plan has been designed so that minimum demolition to existing space would need to occur for the addition.

8. What are the projected costs for the new facility?
Land costs are approximately $1,000,000 and the building estimate is $2,000,000.

9. What is happening with the houses that exist on the property?
With a minimal amount of renovation, we are going to be utilizing the southernmost home for meetings, classes and students small groups. The remaining two homes will eventually be demolished to make way for our building. However, before we do that we will take as many items as possible (doors, light fixtures, windows, etc.) for donation to places like Habitat for Humanity.

10. Can’t we just continue using the Rec facility as our home for awhile?
We know what you are thinking. That we seem cozy in our theater and can’t we just save the money. The fact is that our ministries are bursting at the seams! The Gathering has over a thousand names in our church family. We have access to a rented space 4 hours a week. Although we are grateful for our tent, this makes ministry a challenge at times. It is also a tremendous strain on an incredible group of volunteers who show up every week to set up church in a box and then tear it back down again. Having a home will enable us to open our doors to people all week long. But to learn more of why we believe join us for the series “Because We Believe” Sunday mornings through April.

11. What happens if we don’t meet our goal?
We will be good stewards of our finances. We will build only what we afford!

12. When does the 2-year campaign officially begin and when does it end?
If you make a pledge, your first pledge date should begin June 1, 2008 and end on June 1, 2010

13. Why don’t we do fundraisers to help with the cost of the new building?

At The Gathering, we believe in giving; to those in need of financial help, of our time, of our resources. But most importantly we believe in giving to those who just need to be loved. Christ calls the local church to provide for the needs of the ministry through the tithes and offerings of its members. So, if we were to go in to the community to say “Please give to us” (even if they get a car wash or a bangle from a garage sale) that message would be confusing to the very people we are trying to communicate that grace has no strings attached to it!