Advance the Vision

Since we are ahead of schedule and resourced for more, our church leadership is proposing a plan to Advance the Vision of Columbus365 even beyond what we expected! This plan would complete the necessary HVAC replacements, remove asbestos, and update the carpet and paint in the areas of the main building where new HVAC will be installed. This plan would cost an estimated $1.5 million. Given the uncertainty in our world today, we do not feel it wise to take on any additional construction debt right now. However, if we continue to fulfill our Columbus365 pledges and invite others to do the same, we could raise all or part of the money even in the midst of these uncertain times! We anticipate making a decision about continuing construction in the fall, but in the meantime, keep giving! All Columbus365 gifts will now go directly to Advance the Vision. 

FAQ:

What is Columbus365?
We launched the Columbus365 renovation project to replace the most critical components of our HVAC system, to renovate the Children's Building entirely, and to update the first floor of the Center.

What is Advance the Vision: Columbus365?
Advance the Vision is a plan to complete the necessary HVAC replacements, remove asbestos, and update the carpet and paint in the areas where new HVAC will be installed in the main building.

Are there other projects that are not included in the Advance the Vision plan?
Absolutely! Our long term plan includes updating all the bathrooms, the baptistery, and the Sanctuary as well as adding a Welcome Center to unify the main campus. Some of these projects, such as the baptistery updates, are scheduled to be addressed as part of our regular deferred maintenance which is already funded in our church ministry plan. Continued giving to the Columbus Avenue Ministry Plan will enable us to tackle some of these items annually.

Why is Advance the Vision only focusing on the HVAC and associated renovations?
Some of the remaining projects will be addressed as deferred maintenance and will not need capital fundraising to be completed. Others, like the Welcome Center, are large scale projects that we do not feel ready to tackle yet.

How will we pay the projected $1.5 million to complete this renovation? We do not feel it would be wise to take on additional construction debt right now, however, we do feel that if we continue to give, and invite others to do the same, all, or at least part of the money could be raised prior to any decisions being made in the Fall.

Do we have the financial resources to do this? We had a remaining construction debt of over $400,000 last summer, and we have paid off that debt in full! Not only that, but we have over $6,000 in excess ready to go for the next Columbus365 project. Aided by God’s gracious provision and the good stewardship of our Construction Team, your generous giving has already sown the seeds that will advance the vision even further.

What if I have not finished giving to my Columbus365 pledge? Keep giving! All Columbus365 gifts will go directly to the Advance the Vision initiative. Our Columbus365 pledges will wrap up in November 2020. At that point, you can choose to keep your pledge giving the same through May 2022, and it will be applied to Advance the Vision. You can also increase or decrease your pledge giving to reflect how the Lord is blessing you now.

Who is recommending that we adopt the Advance the Vision plan? The Columbus365 Building Committee and Columbus365 Fundraising chair, the Finance Committee, the Deacon Fellowship, and the ministry staff, including Pastor Josh, believe this is the best step forward for our church to take.

When will the church vote on the Advance the Vision plan? We anticipate that decisions about continuing construction will take place this Fall.

What areas will be updated? The plan would complete the necessary HVAC replacements, remove asbestos, and update the carpet and paint in the areas of the main building where new HVAC will be installed. Click below for a site map that shows the areas that will receive updated HVAC.