Master Campus Plan Team reveals our multi-phased, multi-year master plan for our “campus of connection”
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” - Psalm 127
“EBPC is clearly and uniquely poised for growth, yet the building is holding us back. Our church facilities are not working for us, the building coming to define us, rather than in the beginning when the church was launched - full of hope and strong in spirit - and we defined the building as the foundation of God’s work in our community.”
Pastor John, January 22, 2023
On Sunday, January 22nd the Master Campus Planning Team was excited to start sharing out a multi-phased, multi-year plan we have been developing with the assistance of Bauer Askew Architecture. In a very intensive and well-thought out process, BAA led the MCPT through a series of discernment exercises from June 2022- January 2023 which enabled BAA to fine tune a feasibility study addressing EBPC/EBCA's current and anticipated future needs. The information collected allowed BAA to develop the optimum usage of EBPC's 10-acre campus that could not only address identified functionality issues with our current facilities and property, but could allow us to grow and expand our ministry reach well into the future. After much discussion, the MCPT determined that a Phase 1 renovation of the existing Multi-Purpose Room/Sanctuary, adjacent areas and narthex/entry area would be the best place to begin to implement the Master Campus Plan.
We thank the over two dozen adults who joined in the three afternoon Focus Groups led by InJoy Stewardship's consultant Jeff Benefield. Just as Nicodemus came in the dark to listen and learn with Jesus about who he was and what he was all about, many of you took the time to come and ask questions, share your thoughts and allow yourselves to be open to becoming a part of this journey that EBPC is embarking on in 2023. We know from history that every great invention, discovery or launch, whether it be a business, a nation or a movement, began with a vision that required hard work, sacrifice and trust in its leaders before it could ever be realized. Your faith in your EBPC leaders to help guide the congregation through this next great chapter in our church's rich history is very much appreciated.
In February 2023, the MCPT published its final report. Link to Master Campus Plan Final Report-February 2023: ttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1MOgS9O7GMq0pw1Ob1kXFJqHf-37mOKhvKbSbNwUcX1c/edit?usp=share_link
It chronicles the process followed by the MCPT and BAA and the conclusions reached, including identifying the shortcomings of the current property and facilities, the recommendations for how they could be improved through a combination of renovations to existing structures and new construction, the projected costs and the rationale for the proposed Phase 1 project. You are encouraged to read and study the materials, ask questions for clarification to your church leaders and to prayerfully consider how God might be calling you to participate in this next chapter. Meanwhile, the Session and staff will be discerning next steps to determine the scope, magnitude and timing of the initial project and the most responsible way to fund it.
We thank the members of the MCP Team who sacrificed many hours in meetings, reviewed countless materials, participated in lengthy conversations and contributed their experience, expertise and energy over these past seven months: Yarnell Beatty, Ashley Emerson, Dave Ford, Kira Hilley, Lindsey Hinds-Brown, Pam Kornman, Amethyst Kurbegov, Deb Renton, Lavona Russell, April Shafer, Nate Strasser, Kristine Vasilevskis, Seana Whitehurst, and Larry Wilson. EBPC is the fortunate recipient of their dedicated leadership.
Please stay tuned for more exciting information to come!
Liz Beatty and Pastor John Hilley-MCPT Co-Coordinators
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain the Psalmist reminds us (Psalm 127:1). This plan is more than a ‘lifestyle choice’ about how nice it would be to have nicer furnishings; it is how our building could support our dynamic ministry. The Psalmist reminds us of the spiritual component to this endeavor. Here is what we need NOW. What does God want? There is a spiritual component to this: “here is what we need. How much we do of phase 1 will be determined looking through this spiritual component while also being wise fools for Christ as we look at how much is committed.”
Photo: John W Philbrick