Fall 2022 Update
I can’t believe it’s been a year since we started the Bigger, Smaller, Deeper Transformational Journey together as a church family! God has honored our faithfulness as we committed to growing in our relationship with Jesus and His Word, sharing the Light of Jesus with our friends, neighbors, and co-workers, and giving our time, treasure, and talents to make a greater impact in our communities around the Valley.
We have seen more “Only God” moments to add to the pages of the Illuminate story. We look forward to sharing more of them with you over the next several weeks. Now that we have selected an architect and contractor to expand our ministry home base, we are excited to share plans, pictures, and renderings of what some of the new spaces will look like.
Our transformational journey continues as we ask, “God, what do You want to do IN me, and what do You want to do THROUGH me?” Those two questions have fueled spiritual growth at Illuminate like never before. Looking through these pages, I hope you are as excited as I am at the potential for future ministry here at Illuminate and beyond.
Thanks again for being the best part of Illuminate – YOU, our church family!
Fall 2022 Renderings
Summer 2022 Renderings
Our first five years together have been nothing short of miraculous. We have been taken farther and faster than we ever dreamed. Only God!
He has now brought us to a significant moment in our history by growing our roots deeper through a permanent church home. This means we can have a bigger influence for Jesus within and beyond our walls. Our own house also provides the space we need to grow smaller, through life-giving relationships with one another.
These are the three words we use to describe the vision God has given us.
Bigger.
Smaller.
Deeper.
This will require each of us to pray: “God, what do You want to do IN me, and THROUGH me?” So get ready to be transformed church family. We are stepping into the next chapter of God’s work at Illuminate!
ONLY GOD!
The Illuminate family has grown extraordinarily quickly, and we believe this has happened by following God’s lead from day one. Our five year history is marked by what we call “Only God” moments; these have shaped who we are and how we follow God’s call to make disciples and to reach the lost.
From day one, we’ve been a church that desires to get our hands dirty in real discipleship and to help the lost find Jesus and grow out of their comfort zones. As we grow, this will continue to be our mission.
Today, we’re taking our biggest step yet.
Our current building is becoming our permanent home, but that’s just the beginning. We are going beyond the purchase of property; rather, we want you to own a vision with us. Through prayer and council, we have a vision for the future of Illuminate. We call it Bigger, Smaller, and Deeper.
BIGGER
What does it mean for ICC to get bigger? It doesn’t mean that we become something different in order to grow. Rather, we believe that God has put a great deal of ministry before us, and we are ready to get started. But to become the resource that we hope to be, we’ve got to deal with a few bottlenecks:
Caring for Children
Our current kids’ space doesn’t allow for growth. We need a space that provides a safe, organized check-in process, dedicated indoor/outdoor play space, and facilities that make learning about God the highlight of the week.
Caring for Youth
Our current youth space is barely keeping up with the kids that we have. Our youth programs can be a defining place in the lives of families that we haven’t even met yet, and we want to be ready for them.
Caring for Adults
Right now we have space for only two things: big Sunday services and small office meetings. We need to expand our worship center capacity
in order to accommodate the growing number of people that God
brings to us.
SMALLER
How can Illuminate grow bigger and feel smaller at the same time?
As a church grows, people can feel swallowed up or overlooked. We want to be intentional in creating places and opportunities for people to feel known and experience God’s love. Each person who comes to Illuminate should be able to make friends, connect, and grow together. That doesn’t mean that you know everyone, but it does mean that you are known. Small groups and classes, mentoring and ministry teams; these are the ways to carve out the space necessary for others to be known and loved.
We need to provide space for mid-sized classroom learning, mentoring relationships, and informal community meetings. ICC can be a hub
of life all week long.
• Mid-sized meeting space
• Small groups
• Education opportunities
• Mentor relationships
DEEPER
We go deeper when we grow in our faith and become disciples. Spiritual transformation is the goal. We want people to be changed by Illuminate. When we first come to know Jesus, we need to be fed and to grow. But soon, we need to become those who feed others in order to grow them, to grow ourselves, and to grow the church. By expanding our teaching capacity and creating new ways to serve our community and our fellow image-bearers, we can become all that God wants us to be.
• discipleship training
• community food kitchen
• local outreach partnerships
• international outreach
WHAT NOW?
Our goal is to have 100% of those who attend Illuminate participate in whatever way God is leading them.
Between now and the end of 2022, we have a goal of paying an additional $3 million for remodeling costs and additional mortgage reduction.
Thank you! With your generosity, we have paid down $2 Million on our original mortgage saving us $12,000 a month. Included with the original downpayment, your total gifts have been $5.4 million in just one year!
Frequently Asked Questions
In September 2021 we set out on a transformational journey to fulfill a vision for ministries at Illuminate called Bigger, Smaller, Deeper (BSD). Bigger: A larger and better-utilized space will help accommodate our rapid growth. Smaller: All ministries emphasize getting connected in one-on-one relationships, small groups, and community groups. Deeper: Disciplining our people by going deeper through bible studies, community service and evangelism.
BSD is more than a building, it’s our way of ministry!
Both. BSD is a churchwide spiritual journey focused on a personal transformation of our time, talents, and treasure for the expansion of God’s Kingdom. A key part of our journey includes a financial goal of paying off the mortgage, because paying off the mortgage enables us to fund the Bigger, Smaller and Deeper vision of discipleship and outreach to our community.
Between now and the end of 2022, we have a goal of paying an additional $3 million for remodeling costs and additional mortgage reduction.
- How much did we pay for the building? $10.75M
- What’s left? $5.5M
- How long is the mortgage? 20 years
- How much do we need to raise for ICC not to be reliant on a tenant upstairs? At least $2M.
- Debt reduction will also improve cash flow that in turn funds ministries.
- Praise God our building has been amazing! It has met our needs for our first five years but clearly needs to change to accommodate our ever-increasing needs.
- Phase 1 & 2 facility changes will include:
- Courtyard seating for fellowship, meetings, and bible studies
- An uncrowded and safe children’s area that is fun for the kids
- A large, welcoming reception area for fellowship and group gatherings. Our “family room!” for fellowship and group gatherings.
- An open and more inviting look and feel
The journey began in September 2021 and the season of giving culminates on Dec 31, 2022.
Assuming a successful campaign Phase 1 of the BSD projects could begin as soon as early 2023. The elders formed a facilities committee to help prioritize and manage building improvement projects that are aligned with the BSD vision. Renderings are available on request.
Our aim is to secure the upstairs space sooner than later. Presently, the tenant’s rent greatly helps reduce our monthly out-of-pocket expenses. Taking over the upstairs means that we need to make up that amount by reducing debt and/or increasing donations. This is one of the key reasons to pay off the mortgage. The tenant and Illuminate are bound by a 12-month notice period.
There are other benefits to having the entire building including more classrooms, parking, and expanding the worship center.
All donations should be earmarked BSD. We accept cash, checks, stock, real estate. If possible, please do not use credit cards.
Who do I contact for questions about donating assets such as real estate or stock gifts? Earl DeFrates (Treasurer) EarlD@IlluminateCommunity.com