What is the “Thy Kingdom Come” campaign?

Church of the Holy Spirit’s Vestry (elected board of directors) recently launched a three-year capital campaign by this name. Its purpose is to raise money to buy a 5.7-acre parcel of land near us, on which we can build a permanent facility that will serve our people and the whole community.

Are there problems with our current facility?

While we are grateful for our current rental facility on Trailview, it is inadequate for our present needs, much less our future needs. Outdoor space is extremely limited; our nave is tight and has no natural light; and our Fellowship Hall is overcrowded on Sundays. We do not have enough meeting spaces for adult and youth classes, and we cannot do the Childcare ministry we envision because we cannot obtain an outdoor playground. Our classrooms are undersized and cramped. We need room to grow for the future. We are paying about $200,000 in rent annually, as we have for 11 years – over $2 million, forever lost to us. We want to invest future money in property we own.

Why do we need a permanent facility at all, ever?

Every congregation with a sustainable impact in our culture eventually acquires a permanent home that is identifiably theirs. Our church needs a home base, so that we can send people for generations to come. This land and eventual building are for us, for our children, and for the generations to come that God is calling us to reach.

Why raise money for a permanent home now, given the stock market, etc.?

Pastor Clancy has heard God speak unmistakably and repeatedly to him that acquiring land now is the last large project God is calling him to complete among us before he retires. This has been confirmed by many witnesses, and the Vestry has consensus that the call for us to start this campaign now is from the Lord. Clancy is called to be like David, buying the threshing floor for the eventual Temple from Araunah the Jebusite, and his successor will be like Solomon, who will build. (2 Sam. 24:14-25) Land costs have risen dramatically over time – waiting has cost us dearly and is unlikely to help in the future. God owns everything. Since we believe that He really wants us to have this land, He will also fund it through us, if we are willing to give sacrificially for it. God’s timing is not dependent on the any market or leader. If we are bold in faith, we believe that He will prosper us.

Where is the land? Why this location?

The land is in the residential neighborhood of Belmont Greene in Ashburn, an eight-minute drive east and south from our current location. When coming east from Purcellville on Rt. 7, it is a five minute longer drive. It is nearby, currently available, and is in a residential neighborhood with commercial amenities nearby. Since much of the sitework has already been completed, there will be considerable cost savings in those areas. As we prayed, discussed, and did our research over a period of months, God spoke to our Rector and Vestry in a clear, unmistakable, and unanimous way that we are called to acquire this parcel for our future use, and that this is the time to raise money to buy it.

Have other properties been considered?

Yes. We have looked for a permanent site for 21 years, considering dozens and dozens of possibilities. This is the first site in 21 years that both our leaders and intercessors have had consensus about. They agree that it is an excellent site for us. Recently, our Land Committee, commercial real estate broker and Vestry considered all the available properties listed, which is less than 15 parcels in our target area. This site is head and shoulders above the rest.

Is the land ready to build on? Do we need to install sewer, water, and get permits?

Yes, it is. The land already has sewer and water. It is zoned for Church and Childcare by right. We would need to secure various site and building permits from Loudoun County.

How long will it be before we can worship in the new location?

It will be a minimum of 4 years, more likely closer to 7.

How much will the land cost? How about a future building?

We think we can buy the land for about $3 million. The Vestry has already given $300,000 from our existing reserves. As of January 20, we have twelve early commitments totaling over $1.5 million. So, we need about $1.5 million more to buy the land. A future building would likely cost us another $4 to 5 million, according to the design/build firm we are working with. Read on!

Can we afford it?

The Vestry believes we can, because we believe that God directed us to do this! It does depend on our generosity - both individually and corporately - and the hand of God at work among us.

What if we don’t raise all $3 million? What if we raise more?

We will negotiate for the best price for us. We could offer however much money we have raised to the owners and offer a tax break for the balance. If they say no, our goal for land would be delayed, but not necessarily denied. Whatever money we do raise in Thy Kingdom Come will either enable us to buy this parcel of land sooner or later, or to take advantage of other real estate opportunities as they arise. If we raise more than we need to buy the land, that money will go towards a future building.

Are we using a fundraising consultant?

Yes. Horizons Stewardship is our capital campaign consultant. We looked at doing it ourselves alone, and decided that hiring the consultant we did would result in a more spiritually and financially sound result. Tom Melzoni has a great track record consulting on hundreds of campaigns.

Why don’t we spend our extra money directly meeting human needs instead?

Every ministry needs a base from which to operate. As they mature, almost all churches acquire land and buildings in order to solidify their base and become a sustainable center from which many ministries can flourish, including ministries to the needy. A permanent facility will help us to directly meet many more needs.

How will be pay for the building? What will ownership costs look like?

We are currently responsible for maintaining our 10,200 square feet of space, and are in process of acquiring another 750 sq. ft next door. We estimate that our new building will be 25,000 square feet. We currently pay around $200,000 per year in rent. We plan to pay around $3 million in cash for the land. We plan on starting a Christian Childcare ministry in our new facility, and we estimate positive cash flow, after expenses, from that to be around $300,000, or conservatively, $200,000, per year. (Harold and Debbie Jones ran a childcare ministry for many years, and Harold did extensive comparative analysis to derive these numbers.) For a $4-5 million building, if we finance most of it, depending on interest rates, we estimate a mortgage payment would be around $200,000 per year. In that scenario, ownership costs should be roughly proportional to what we pay now for rent, and could more than cover a mortgage! Since we plan on building new, many aspects of possession we currently pay for, such as replacing equipment, should not be an issue for many years.

Will there be a mortgage?

Our prayer and expectation is that our Thy Kingdom Come campaign will raise sufficient funds to purchase the land outright. We are not planning on a mortgage to finance the purchase of the land, though we may seek a bridge loan based on 3-year pledges. We have identified a lender that will do a bridge loan for us if we hit our fundraising goal. If the Vestry did decide to seek major indebtedness, this would need to come to a congregational vote. To build a building, another capital campaign would be needed to secure a down payment. Depending on how much we raise in that second campaign, a future Vestry might consider a mortgage to help finance the building. The more funds raised in the campaign, the lower those costs would be.

What are we saying “no” to, in order to say “yes” to this?

Nothing. We are asking people to give from their wealth, not their current income; and not to divert their tithe to give toward the land. Our current ministries should be unaffected since none of our operating budget is to be used for land or building. Like most churches, when we began discussing this plan, not only did we receive early gifts for land, our regular giving went up strongly! If we meet our goals, land and later building will enhance all our ministries - from outreach, to discipleship, to worship. They will help advance God’s Kingdom in Loudoun.

What will the new building look like?

This is truly a matter for a future Vestry to decide. However, we have engaged an architect to provide initial “straw man” drawings of what a site master plan, floor layout, and a building might look like. These are only concept drawings, and will change.

How will Clancy’s retirement affect this project?

Clancy’s retirement is part of the tapestry God is weaving that convinces us to do this now. He believes that this campaign is his last large assignment from God at CHS before he retires. If you are grateful for his ministry and share our vision for the future, giving sacrificially to Thy Kingdom Come is a great way you can express that. Clancy plans to stay on as Rector until his successor is settled here. The Diocese has protocols for the selection of a new Rector, including the appointment of a Search Committee. The Search Committee and Vestry will decide whom to call as our next Rector. This may take 8 months to a year and a half. The Vestry is confident that God will send us a godly and gifted new Rector.

Why should I give when I am not sure I will be here in the years to come?

Remember that everything you have belongs to God. We encourage you to view your sacrificial gift as an investment in the Kingdom. It’s about God and the people we have not yet reached, as well as it is for you and your family. With your help, together we will build our faith and help to build God’s Kingdom in this place. None of us can say for certain whether we will be here at any time in the future. God may call you away. Wherever you go, you will benefit from others who came before you, prepared a place for you, and were themselves called away. We ask you to participate by making a sacrificial gift toward this worthy goal.

What are you asking me to do?

We are asking you to pray diligently and understand well your personal financial position. We’re asking you to truly seek the Lord about giving a significant, sacrificial gift from your wealth toward our 3-year campaign. We ask that your gift goes well beyond a typical offering. We really need your help. We can’t do this without all of us pulling together! Please look at the Giving Chart and pray about how you might help us reach our goal. We encourage you to view your sacrificial gift as an investment for the Kingdom of God. Let’s advance God’s Kingdom in Loudoun together. +