June 30, 2026 Building Team Update
We are excited to share a significant milestone in the life of our congregation. On June 23, 2026, our building committee gathered for its official Kick-Off Meeting to begin the practical planning phase of our building campaign. We are stepping into this next leg of our journey with immense gratitude and anticipation.
Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Email… A Summary
We have received $2,034,356 in total pledges to date. (This number was amended on 07/06/2026 to reflect new information)
Our team is currently researching local churches to learn from their building projects.
We are actively researching architectural firms to find the right design partners.
We are preparing for the next phase of our building campaign with clear financial goals.
Celebrating Your Generosity
First and foremost, we want to express our deepest thanks for your incredible faithfulness and generosity. To date, our church family has committed $2,034,356 (amended from $2,224,356.00 on 07/06/2026) in campaign pledges. This amazing foundation is a testament to your commitment to our shared future and the ministry work ahead.
Defining Our Focus
As the planning team takes on the responsibility of mapping out the physical structure, our goal is to steward your resources as wisely and realistically as possible.
Prioritizing Our Core Spaces: While our initial visions for the property were expansive, realistic constraints have led us to focus primarily on our top priorities: a dedicated Sanctuary and Music space.
Financial Targets: We are currently targeting a total project budget in the $4 million range. Of course at this point this is only estimate. You will have the opportunity to be a part of more conversations as a church before final agreements are reached.
Financing the Balance: With over $2 million already pledged, work is actively underway to secure a solid financing package to cover the remaining balance of the structure while safely managing our investments.
Transparency and Next Steps
We are fully committed to keeping this process open, collaborative, and clear. The team is currently handling preliminary groundwork, but no final decisions will be made without the congregation. Here is how the upcoming phase will unfold:
Gathering Inspiration: On July 11th, members of the team will conduct site visits at several regional churches to explore different layouts, building methodologies, and design ideas.
Selecting Professional Services: We are beginning to review and will soon begin to meet with regional architectural firms to find the right design partner for this project.
The Approval Process: Once the preliminary designs and plans are ready, they will pass through the Lead Team, move to Town Hall meetings for full church feedback, and ultimately culminate in a Full Church Vote.
An Update on Pledges
The church has 132 giving units (individuals or families who are giving to the church)as of June 30, 2026
91 of those giving units have pledged to building campaign (68% of congregation) for a total of $2,034,356 (this number was amended with new information on 07/06/2026)
11 giving units have given that did not pledge for a total, since May, of $4,245
All total that means we currently have 112 giving units or about 77% of all our givers, who have committed to this project. That is an outstanding number!
Pledges (this chart was amended on 07/06/2026 to reflect new information)
Number of Pledgers
$200,000 +
1 pledges
$100,000-$199,999
4 pledges
$50,000-$99,999
9 pledges
$30,000-$49,999
10 pledges
$10,000-$29,999
23 pledges
Less than $10,000
44 pledges
How You Can Partner With Us
As we navigate the complexities of architectural planning, zoning permits, and financial structures, we know that we cannot do this in our own strength. We ask for your continued prayer over the building committee, our leadership, and the future of our church.
Please join us in praying for:
Wisdom and discernment for the committee as they evaluate building methodologies and professional architectural services.
Clarity and smooth execution regarding local planning, zoning approvals, and conditional use expansion permits.
Unity, faith, and excitement across our entire church family as we build a physical space to worship God and serve our community for generations to come.
Our team will continue to meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month, with our next session scheduled for July 28th. We promise to keep you updated every step of the way.
Have questions about the project? You can reach out at any time to the team or project co-chairs, Betsy Kullman and Mike Gardener at www.christchurchbg.org/build. You can also call our office at 270-842-4343
Thank you again for your prayers, your vision, and your remarkable generosity.