What is "Imagine"?

IMAGINE CAMPAIGN WINN-DIXIE ANNOUNCEMENT

 For the last several years the driving question we have had as leaders at Grace Church has been “What’s next, God?”  In our prayer life, in discussions with one another, it’s always been the same.  “What’s next, God?”   Over the years, four issues continually arose:

1. We need more property.
2. We need more meeting space.
3. We want to meet the needs of the poor and marginalized.
4. We want to become a multi-site church.

A year ago, our leaders made a concerted effort to purchase at least 3.5 acres from our neighbors and friends at Trinity Reformed Church next door.  With great diligence, we met with their leaders and purchased a commercial appraisal.  We assumed that God had opened the door for us to expand the Cape Coral campus from 6.3 acres to 9.8 acres.  Last February that door was closed.

As we approached the Imagine capital campaign scheduled for this fall, we assumed that we needed to address two of the four pressing issues:  the need for more meeting space by building the Discipleship Center and fund the establishing of at least two more campuses of Grace Church.  This two-fold effort has been at the heart of our praying and planning for several months now.  We would put the purchase of more property and the need meeting ministry on hold.

But in the past month, God has opened an exciting, new door for us that addresses all four of the issues; more property, more meeting space, need meeting ministry and multi-site ministry.  By now you’re asking, how?  How has God opened this door?  Last week, with the unanimous support of the Lead Team standing with me today, we made arrangements to purchase the Winn-Dixie facility one-half mile from our Cape Coral campus on the corner of Hancock Bridge Parkway and Orange Grove Boulevard.      

Let me tell you about this facility.  It is 8.2 acres with more than 52,000 square feet.  It has 344 parking spaces.   For perspective, taken into consideration all of the buildings at our current Cape Coral campus, we have about the same amount of square footage all together.  The value of the property is 10 million dollars but we have a contract on it for 5.2 million dollars.  This facility will allow us to do all that we have dreamed about and even more!  

 In the weeks to come, we will give you more details about this new dream.  This morning you will be given a packet with a prayer guide and frequently asked questions and answers.  You will be given more information in the coming weeks.  You are always welcome to direct additional questions through email to the church.

As I have been thinking about this bold step, one verse has been coming to mind.  It’s from Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”  This adventure is going to require faith.  As we begin to step into this dream, we must begin with prayer so I’ve asked Doug Whitaker from our Lead Team to pray for us. 

For more information on how you can make a difference, please contact Charlotte Nesta, Director of Finance, at (239) 574-7161