The property is twenty-one (21) acres, which is something like sixteen football fields (if that helps you at all!).  Finding property like this in DuPage County is rare indeed!  The church has signed a contract to purchase this property for $3.3 million.

There are many reasons for Church of the Resurrection to pursue land and a building at this point in its history.  To put it succinctly:  we feel called to build something beautiful for God and others—a worship and mission imperative. 

Many of our vital ministries are currently limited by our lack of permanent space.  Since we have no permanent home, it is harder for people to find us, and yet we want to be a physical, faithful witness for Christ in our community in order to reach those far from God.  We are sensing a call to provide a base of refreshment that will help equip our partners from the developing world.  Additionally, our children need a sanctuary to continue to grow in the transforming power of Christ, as we train and equip them to be future ministry leaders – we are building a place of continuity for them. 

The vision of raising up new altars is alive and well!  In fact, we believe a church building is critical to that mission, in order to have a “home base” that powers the planting of many altars throughout the region.  It is our hope and commitment to start this work of new altars soon—some of our leaders are actively seeking the Lord about the timing of this endeavor.

Resurrection has long had a heart for the poor and overseas missions, and that won’t change.  Funding for our outreach ministries such as Good Sam and our support of missions comes out of our regular, annual church budget, and even after this campaign, we will not shy away from collecting our annual Good Friday Gift Day offering for partners in the gospel in the developing world.  We’re asking for you to give over and above your general church contributions, and it is our prayer that, during this season of Lent and as a result of this campaign, we will all grow in Christian stewardship – a fruit lasting far longer than any building.  We believe having our own church building will only strengthen our outreach and missions activities by giving ourselves and our partners a firm place from which to serve.

This opportunity came to us suddenly, and we’ve had to mobilize very quickly to do everything necessary to make this happen.  Several teams have been assembled for various aspects of the project: we’ve had teams to select the consultants, a team to work on site design and capacity issues, another to orchestrate the campaign, etc.  These teams have been empowered to make important decisions in their areas, with Fr. Stewart, as Rector, serving as the overseer working closely with Margaret Philbrick, Andi Liechty, the Wardens, and staff.  Your elected vestry, where Fr Stewart serves as President, makes decisions about the biggest issues of church resources, such as entering into contracts.  The level of volunteer sacrifice among many of you has been staggering and inspiring!

We have contracted to buy the land, but we need to know that we can legally build a church on this particular piece of property.  To get that kind of approval, we have to get permission from the County, which requires a land survey, a site plan of how we’d use the property, engineering studies, etc.  For all these things, we’ve hired professionals to help us do this preliminary work in order to get the initial approval we need to be able to build a church.

We hired the firm of Ruck Pate as our architects, and together with the landscape architecture and planning firm of Gary Weber, they will develop the site plan based on all the input they’ve received from the church.  We are also working with a civil engineer to assess the drainage and other engineering aspects of the property, and we’ve brought on Brad Leeper of Generis to advise us on the land and building campaign.  We’ve been able to pay for this initial work because of money that had already been contributed to the building fund.

This is more than “just” a fundraising campaign – it is a Lenten journey we are taking together as a body.  We are on a pilgrimage toward Holy Week, called to sacrifice and to examine our hearts and lives before the Lord.  The vestry, staff, and other ministry leaders will be asked to give toward this project first.  Then, on Palm Sunday (March 16), everyone will have an opportunity to bring their commitment cards to the cross, making a three-year pledge, as we turn fully toward Holy Week and the Resurrection.  The total will be announced on Easter Sunday!

In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus praised the offering of the poor widow for contributing out of her poverty.  We’re asking everyone – 100% of us – to prayerfully give something toward the land purchase.  Equal sacrifice, different dollars!

Please don’t!  The “unrepeatable moment” is to buy the land today.  The Lord will provide for what is to come, just as he has set this land before us now.  Our first step walking into this is to raise $3.3 million for the land and collect pledges over the next three years (2008 to 2011).  The more successful we are in this initial campaign, the better poised we’ll be to take our next step and raise money for the building.  A good beginning now means a better finish later!

Pray and fast on this during Lent…and then joyfully make your commitment on Palm Sunday!  Prayerfully decide how much of an offering you’ll pledge above and beyond your regular tithe over the next three years (36 months).  Write this amount on your commitment card and sign it… and be sure to print your name, address, email and phone number on the card.  Thanks be to God!

Please contact Ty Warner (warner.ty@gmail.com) or Margaret Philbrick (tengo3ninos@yahoo.com) or Andi Liechty (AndiL143@mindspring.com) if you have additional questions.