We are now over one year into the "For the Next One" Campaign and many exciting things are being accomplished! Faithful giving and partnership by our First Church family have enabled us to begin the work to make this vision a reality. Thank you to all who have partnered with us, prayed for these incentives, and been committed to the vision to reach others with the love and hope of Jesus.
- A “hub” for Benton Heights
- A space for simple connections, meaningful relationship and service opportunities for new families
- High-quality, faith shaping environments and experiences for children
- An area connected to serve and reach the community
- No bank branches, health facilities, meeting spaces, grocery stores or laundry services in Benton Heights
- No clear, identifiable point of entry
- No spaces to effectively engage with weekend visitors or weekday community
- Hard to find, outdated, small kids spaces
- Families in Benton Heights continue to struggle, and their pursuit of betterment is stifled
- Young families look elsewhere; or stop looking altogether, and drift away
- Missed opportunities to influence our community
VULNERABLE FAMILIES
A safe, clean, attractive hub for Benton Heights residents to:
- access wrap-around services
- connect to one another and the Church
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT – ST. JOE
- A prominent, clearly identifiable Niles Avenue-facing entry
- A large, multi-use community lobby with a bright, welcoming interior
- Signage and technology upgrades
CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT – CHILDREN’S ENHANCEMENTS
- New, colorful directional signage
- Upgrades to paint and carpets
- Technology for enhanced worship and teaching experiences
- Space redesign and expansion planning
- Basic human dignity
- Hope for a better future with opportunities
- A place for connection and conversation
- A growing community morale in Benton Heights
- A tool for easy engagement and connection on weekends
- A 3rd place for the community to work, recharge or connect with us, Monday – Friday
- A center to host events for business leaders and the community
- Clear, engaging means to more easily navigate our buildings
- Unparalleled children’s facilities
- Compelling kids environments for teaching and worship
- Resources to address longer term space deficiencies in kids’ areas
FINANCIAL UPDATE
We committed and have given $250,000 to help make the Laundry Hub in Benton Heights a Reality
We have cash in hand of $1.67 million toward our $2 million goal for the St. Joe Lobby addition.
We will continue to work toward our $250,000 children's ministry campus wide improvements as funds become available.
PHASE 1
New Heights CCDA has reached its fundraising goal of $1.3 million for the New Heights Laundry Hub in Benton Heights. Your giving helped to make this possible. The goal is to finish construction and have a ribbon cutting within the next few months. Your giving contributed $250,000 toward this project.
PHASE 2
First Church Lobby Expansion Project – Plans are being finalized and design work is being completed on the addition adjacent to the Life Center. We desire to break ground this spring on this addition which will provide amazing additional space for ministry at First Church. Your giving toward this project is estimated at $1,670,000 to $2,000,000.
PHASE 3
Children’s Ministry Campus Wide Renovations – Updating all our children’s ministry spaces across all our campuses. The anticipated cost of this project is $250,000.
Thank you for your faithful support. God is on the move at First Church, and we are excited for what the future holds. What we do changes lives. Thank you for your faithful giving. Please join us in prayer and support of our ongoing efforts to restore God's ideal in our communities!