Pursue Our Future
Pursue Our Future is about taking a necessary step into the ministry calling that we believe God has put before us. In some ways, Pursue Our Future is about finishing the job on some strategic decisions that we have made in the past for us to continue advancing as a church. There are two main objectives: refurbish the Sewing Machine Building and complete our renovation vision for Christ Covenant Sandy Springs.
The Sewing Machine Building (228 Ottley Dr.)
First, we want to refurbish the Sewing Machine Building that we have decided to purchase adjacent to our original campus at 221 Armour. This would provide classroom, office space, church-wide multi-use space, and 100 additional parking spaces that the church would control throughout the week.
Covenant Students
Our students need adequate space for their weekly gatherings where they can grow closer to Jesus and one another.
Covenant Kids
Current classroom space for Covenant Kids has already reached capacity. The extra classroom and activity space will allow us to accommodate our growing Kids ministry.
Adult Discipleship
In order to accommodate more onsite adult discipleship such as community groups and Institute classes, we need the additional classroom space.
Office Space
We have reached capacity for our current office space. The Sewing Machine building will allow us to accommodate our growing staff.
Background on the Sewing Machine Building
On January 4, 2022, the same day that we began construction on our building at 221 Armour, we got a call from our new next-door neighbors at SewingMachine.com. They had received an offer to buy their building, but offered to sell it to us, which would add contiguous space to our new church building, if we could secure funds quickly. This put the church in a precarious situation since we didn’t have extra funds, but we knew that this might be our best chance for future expansion. After many conversations with the owners of SewingMachine.com, and through a few generous gifts we came to an agreement that if we put up earnest money the owners would give us four years to close. We voted overwhelmingly as a church to move forward with this plan in 2022, and then unanimously in June 2024 to close on the property. Our plan is to secure lending for the remaining balance that we owe on the building and then to raise the money needed to refurbish this building in this Pursue Our Future Campaign.
Sandy Springs Phase 2
Second, we want to complete our renovation vision for Christ Covenant Sandy Springs. Some of the projects include:
Covenant Kids
As the ministry of Covenant Kids grows at Sandy Springs, we will need to make some improvements in that area. We plan to create a larger gathering area, a more functional check in area, and make some improvements to the overall classroom scheme.
The Lobby
Our plan is to take down multiple walls in the upstairs lobby area to create more space for pre- and post- service fellowship, events throughout the week, and a Collective Space for co-working and other gatherings.
Outdoor Areas
We plan to update the landscaping, install new CCSS exterior signage and upgrade the children's playground to make it safer and more up to date.
Background on Sandy Springs Phase 2
Amazingly in June 2023, the members of First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs voted to entrust their property and assets to Christ Covenant. In September 2023, the members of Christ Covenant voted to receive this property and open our second campus, Christ Covenant Sandy Springs. This process of launching a second campus has been exhilarating for Christ Covenant and a great step towards our missional goal of reaching Atlanta and the world for Christ. We were able to complete some minor phase 1 renovations in anticipation of our official campus launch in August 2024. We plan to begin a second, larger phase of renovations in 2025, in order to create more functional ministry space at CCSS. We were able to renovate the building in part before the official launch of Christ Covenant Sandy Springs but hope to create more functional ministry space. All of these improvements will be a big part of making Christ Covenant Sandy Springs feel more like our church home.
Future
We believe that these initiatives represent an important step that we must take as we prepare for what God already has in store for our church beyond these projects, including: a church planting and revitalization strategy and network, additional campuses as God continues to give Christ Covenant growth, an extensive school-focused discipleship ministry for our students, a robust Faith and Work initiative, and a more comprehensive leadership training initiative as we seek to advance the church in our city and beyond. There are other ideas and discipleship projects that we are working on as we look to the future of Christ Covenant but the initiatives of Pursue Our Future are necessary steps as we continue to look ahead.
Goal
Our hope is that through Pursue Our Future we can raise an additional $10M+ in order to take these important steps forward.
$6M for The Sewing Machine Building
$4M for Sandy Springs Phase 2
1. Seek the Lord
Continue to seek the Lord in worship and obedience. Ask the Lord to give you clarity on your part of generosity for this important campaign.
2. Make a Giving Commitment
In addition to your regular giving make a regular giving commitment to Pursue Our Future over the next 14 months.
3. Give a Gift
Pursue Our Future was designed with two year ends in mind. This will allow our members to give significant year end gifts to the success of this campaign. Consider making a one-time gift or two gifts in 2024 and 2025.
