Question 1

What is the vision of Wakarusa Missionary Church?

Accepted Answer

Guided by our unwavering commitment to follow Jesus, grow in faith, serve others, and multiply disciples, we envision a church where lives are transformed, communities are impacted, and God's kingdom is advanced.

Question 2

Why is this remodel and renovation project necessary?

Accepted Answer

WakyMC is experiencing growth across all ministries as God continues to work through you! To meet this growth and fulfill our vision where lives are transformed, and our community is impacted, it is crucial to address several pressing needs, including expansion in KidMin, lobby space, and upgrades in worship center space and technology.

Question 3

What are the compelling reasons that support this strategic investment?

Accepted Answer

God has blessed us with new families and a significant increase in young children. The Bible highlights the importance of early spiritual education for children (Proverbs 22:6, NIV). At WakyMC, we are prioritizing the creation of a secure and welcoming KidMin space to meet the needs of our growing community. This investment ensures a safe environment for children to learn and grow in their faith, while aligning with our commitment to their spiritual growth. Now is a great time to join us as we invest in the future generation.

A second critical need is for additional lobby space. As attendance at WakyMC continues to rise, our current lobby area is becoming overcrowded, making it challenging to adequately accommodate the number of people attending services and events. Expanding the lobby space will create a welcoming environment for everyone, facilitating better fellowship and community engagement.

Finally, ADA and technology upgrades in our worship center are essential. As worship plays a central role in our congregation’s spiritual life, modernizing our technology and updating our accessibility will enhance our worship experience and enable more dynamic and engaging services.

Question 4

How does this strategic investment empower our church's vision and mission?

Accepted Answer

Our mission at Wakarusa Missionary Church is to make disciples who love Jesus and love people. We desire to reach people who do not follow Jesus, introducing them to Him and maturing them as disciples for His mission. Accomplishing that mission involves us following the leadership of Jesus in meeting with people where they are and allowing the Holy Spirit to show them how and where to move. There is much that can facilitate that process and much that can hinder it. We believe providing a larger and safer space for our children, a larger lobby space conducive to fellowship, and upgrading our worship space in multiple ways gives us a better opportunity to facilitate, gather, connect, equip, and train those whom God is calling.

Question 5

Why now?

Accepted Answer

WakyMC has experienced a surge in the number of young families attending our church. With our intentional focus on ministry to children, WakyMC has attracted families seeking a healthy, faith based environment to raise their kids. The presence of young families has brought a renewed energy and enthusiasm to our community, propelling our momentum forward. We believe God is calling us to strategically invest in these families and pour into our future leaders by providing them a firm foundation.

Question 6

How did the church leadership align together on this plan?

Accepted Answer

Our leadership teams and staff engaged in a year-long process to establish the Engage Initiative vision for Wakarusa Missionary Church. As part of this development, several teams were launched to explore how we welcome guests, structure our worship services, connect our assimilation process to our discipleship pathway, provide flow and safety throughout our building, online presence, facility needs, and so much more. In total, we have 43 people, from inside and outside WakyMC, involved in this process.

Question 7

How long has the church leadership been engaged working on these activities?

Accepted Answer

Since September of 2022.

Question 8

Did the church leadership seek guidance from external experts to assist in evaluating traffic flow and technology, optimizing space utilization, and providing consultation on conceptual ideas and recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many experts in the fields of architecture, technology, discipleship, campaigning, and finances were consulted throughout this process.

Question 9

Who is involved in this project and what teams were formed to help steer this project forward?

Accepted Answer

Our staff, elder board, and finance team played significant roles in the initial stages of this process. Subsequently, strategic subteams were formed and expanded, consisting of key volunteers, lay leaders, discipleship leaders, to spearhead the future direction and activities related to discipleship, facilities, assimilation, and upcoming Engage Initiative events.

Question 10

How much is the project expected to cost, and what will the funds be used for?

Accepted Answer

The total project is expected to cost approximately $2.25 million. These funds will be used to renovate our KidMin area, lobby, office space, adult classrooms, and worship center.

Question 11

How much money is needed to kick off the project?

Accepted Answer

The objective is to secure $750,000 before starting the renovation, ideally beginning the project in the summer or fall of 2024, Lord willing.

Question 12

How much long term debt will we take on and for how long?

Accepted Answer

We trust in God to provide for our campaign needs. Some short-term debt is expected, managed responsibly with the finance team and elder board. Low interest rates from the Missionary Church North Central Region will help ensure manageable payments, funded by the campaign, not operational budget dollars. Our one million dollar campaign goal covers almost half of the planned renovation. Anticipating an additional year of commitments, after the initial two years, allows new attendees to contribute and gives others a chance to invest after seeing the initiative's impact. The remaining long-term debt will be settled through annual Harvest Home offerings over the next few years.

Question 13

How did the church leadership evaluate and select the construction contractor?

Accepted Answer

Following consultations with three architecture and construction firms, two quotes were presented for the renovation project. R-Yoder Construction emerged as the choice based upon several key factors: their demonstrated willingness to collaborate and invest in our success, shared belief in our mission to advance God's kingdom, the provision of a competitive and generous quote, their flexibility in allowing us to continue operating within the building during renovations, and their local presence facilitating close collaboration with our staff.

Question 14

How long before the project begins?

Accepted Answer

We are hopeful that the renovation can begin late summer or early fall of 2024.

Question 15

How long will the building be under construction?

Accepted Answer

The project is expected to last for approximately 11 months, employing a phased approach. This approach ensures that our ministry can continue to operate smoothly during the renovation period.

Question 16

Why not just add on or build elsewhere?

Accepted Answer

After consulting different architectural and construction companies, it was determined that Wakarusa Missionary Church has plenty of square footage for growth. Since adding on or building elsewhere is significantly more expensive, our leadership teams agreed that maximizing our current space was the direction we needed to go. A study was conducted during our consultations revealing that our church has the potential to serve 850 people with our current, two service, Sunday morning format. If WakyMC grows to a three service format, our potential capacity would be 1,275 people.

Question 17

Why are we enhancing the audio and video in the Worship Center?

Accepted Answer

In this collaborative design process, we have shifted our focus from consistently fixing our technical problems to addressing the future needs of our worship center. With the assistance of Amplio Systems, we crafted a system that not only aligns with our long-term goals but also operates seamlessly in an integrated manner. Given the diverse reasons people engage with us online, this renovation enhances the quality of our streaming ministry.

Question 18

What is Wakarusa Missionary Church doing with the Student Ministry space?

Accepted Answer

In consultation with our current student ministry leaders, they feel their space is adequate for their current and future needs.  Minor renovations will occur in order to help with storage needs and traffic flow.

Question 19

How will KidMin operate throughout the project?

Accepted Answer

Our current KidMin space will remain in place while the lower level is being renovated into the new KidMin area. Once the lower level is completed, kids will relocate to ensure there is always a safe and secure space throughout this process.

Question 20

When will the campaign begin and what should I expect?

Accepted Answer

WakyMC’s vision campaign will begin with a sermon series titled, “Engage”. During this 7 week series, we will be challenged to pray, sacrifice, commit, and celebrate. There will be a call to engage financially, but perhaps more importantly, we will all be called to engage relationally with those in our community who don’t know or follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Our leaders will frequently update the congregation on the financial progress related to the campaign over the next two years.

Question 21

When will the campaign begin and how long will it last

Accepted Answer

The campaign will begin in February of 2024 and conclude in 2026.

Question 22

How and when can I contribute to the campaign?

Accepted Answer

You can pledge or give online at www.wakymc.org/engage, or write a check to Wakarusa Missionary Church with Engage written in the memo.

Question 23

What if I can’t commit to a monthly pledge?

Accepted Answer

We understand that everyone’s situation is different. We are asking for equal sacrifice, not equal gifts.

Question 24

How are campaign dollars different from my normal giving?

Accepted Answer

Engage contributions are above and beyond our regular giving in support of the ongoing ministry of Wakarusa Missionary Church.

Question 25

How does this campaign affect Harvest Home?

Accepted Answer

Harvest Home was created in a season like this, in order to pay down building debt. Harvest Home will once again function as it did in the past, paying down the debt of this renovation until we are debt free.

Question 26

What are the specific changes that our facility will experience?

Accepted Answer

Our lobby will absorb the current office space. Chris Knight’s office will become the church kitchen, and the remaining office space will be opened up to provide a cafe environment where fellowship can happen naturally. The coffee area will be moved right outside of the kitchen, while the children’s check-in and welcome center will remain in their current locations. These changes will enable our adults and young people to move about more freely and engage with each other more comfortably.

The worship center will be upgrading its lighting, sound, and video. In addition to those items, the stage will be restructured to accommodate individuals who need ramp access. Further ADA improvements will be made by providing hearing devices through our new integrated systems. This is being done to enable the best quality of worship experience possible.

KidMin is gaining square footage. In addition, they will have improved security, age specific restrooms, and a layout that is conducive to learning.

Our student ministry leaders believe our space has plenty of room for growth, and it’s one of the most updated parts of our building. Current offices will be made into storage rooms to allow for more usable square footage in the Dub. Items are currently stored behind curtains and taking up valuable space.

Staff offices will be moved to the current upper level of our KidMin department. Along with that, there will be conference rooms that will be utilized by staff throughout the week and used as adult classes on Sunday mornings.

There will be a total of ten rooms available for adult Sunday school. The capacity of these rooms will be similar to what we currently have and will be located in various locations throughout our building.  The Y-106 room will remain an adult classroom and eight of the other rooms will be accessible without the need to go up or down stairs.

Question 27

How will this project affect me?

Accepted Answer

We will be able to continue to worship on Sunday mornings at WakyMC throughout the construction process. We will do our best to provide adequate space for adults to continue to meet with their Sunday schools while the KidMin areas are being renovated.

Question 28

Will the church continue its regular activities during the project?

Accepted Answer

The worship center will continue to be usable throughout the project.

Sunday school classes will need to meet elsewhere in the building while the KidMin space is being added to the lower level. The current office space and Dub will be accessible for groups to meet.

Our KidMin will remain in their current location until the lower level is completed. Once the new KidMin space is finished, our kids will move to the lower level and renovation will begin on the offices and adult classrooms.

Our youth and preteens will not have to relocate and will continue to meet as normal.

Midweek activities will be adjusted accordingly.

Question 29

Will we be expected to move locations or adjust class times during the project? Who and how will these changes be communicated?

Accepted Answer

We will have to adjust some adult classroom spaces. We are confident we can provide enough space for groups to meet during normal Sunday school times. Our church staff will make plans with each group well in advance.

Question 30

Will the church be constantly begging me for money over the next two years?

Accepted Answer

Many commitments are made early in the campaign process. There will be updates and reminders throughout the two years to allow people the opportunity to give if they were unable to initially.

Question 31

How will this project increase my spiritual growth as a follower of Jesus?

Accepted Answer

The Engage Initiative will provide opportunities to dive into scripture with prayer guides and devotionals. It will challenge us to go and make disciples as Matthew 28 calls all of us to do. We are not only asking for financial commitments, but also calling our people to invest in their Ones, also known as people who do not actively follow Jesus.

Question 32

How can I use this opportunity to serve and invest time vs just giving money?

Accepted Answer

Our ministry will continue in the midst of this campaign. Get involved by praying, volunteering, and engaging with us at home and on the road.

Question 33

How can I help create excitement in the community around this project?

Accepted Answer

Share with others what God is doing at WakyMC. Speak positively about the changes we are making and how the impact will be felt for years to come.

Question 34

What should I tell my friends when asked about the investments the church is making?

Accepted Answer

Wakarusa Missionary Church is committed to maximizing their building space to provide local ministry and growth for years to come.

Question 35

How can I be praying for this project and the future of our church?

Accepted Answer

We are all called to pray for our church and its leaders. Colossians 4:2 challenges the church to devote itself to prayer. Acts 4:12 calls the church to pray that we will boldly share Jesus as the only hope for salvation. John 4:24 encourages the church to pray and worship God in spirit and in truth. 1 Peter 5:2-3 reminds us to pray that our leaders will serve humbly as godly examples to all.

Question 36

Who should I contact if I have more questions or want to get involved?

Accepted Answer

Feel free to call the church office and speak with Brant Nine. Our elders and senior pastor are resources to you, as well.

Question 37

So what exactly are you asking me to do?

Accepted Answer

Every day over the next few weeks, join us as we seek His direction. We can begin by asking God, “How do You want to use me to reach more people for Your Kingdom?” Each of us will be called to sacrifice for this project. He will guide us to the appropriate sacrifice of our time, talents, and treasures as we seek His vision for Wakarusa Missionary Church. All of us need to pray like we’ve never prayed before. And we’re hoping that every person who calls WakyMC home will give financially, beyond their tithe, to see more people know the love of Jesus. We need people who are willing to take a step of faith, out of their comfort zones, to serve, to respond however God is leading. Imagine if we all yielded our lives to God? How might our community and the world around us change? What might God do through us for the sake of the people He has placed in our lives? How might we be transformed personally? Please prayerfully consider what God is asking of you.

ENGAGE INTIATIVE UPDATE:

We'd love for you to join the Initiative to reach more lives. Click the link below.

DIGITAL ENGAGE BOOKLET