It is a 3-year campaign with a goal of raising $1.35 million for classrooms, gathering spaces, and updating.

The campaign began June 4, 2006 and concludes June of 2009.

80% of the congregation has pledged! But it's not too late for you to get involved. If you are interested in making a pledge, fill out a pledge card and put it in the offering plate. (Pledge cards may be found in the white envelopes located on the counter in the narthex.)

Just looking for more information? You can indicate that on a pledge card as well.

Just the name of our capital campaign begs the question: How have we grown? Have our hands been open or only partially or are they holding on tight to something? Have we discovered God’s grace again or in a new way since we launched our campaign to support the expansion of Emmaus? Have we welcomed new people to come in and participate in finding God in our community? Take a moment to reflect on what your extra giving to Growing in Grace has done for you and your family.

Since the very beginning of this campaign we have said, "it is not about the money". It is about this community that began over 40 years ago with just a few people wanting to worship and create a place that reached outside itself. They planned for growth: in numbers, in land, in building and growth in people’s hearts. We look for all that kind of growth today. Let us make sure we are ready for those that are yet to come.

We hope that in your pledging to this campaign and your following up with that pledge you have discovered some new things. We hope you have discovered what a joy giving is, sacrifice does not need to mean pain and suffering, but a fulfillment that is long lasting and sustaining unlike the sometimes empty consumerism of our society. We hope you are excited about how the new addition will enhance the already great ministry that happens around here. We hope that you are excited about who has yet to find a safe place to call home here at Emmaus, perhaps you are one of those who found that refuge. We need to make sure there is room for those that God is calling to come in the future.

Vision and prayer built the church we now call Emmaus, and vision and prayer moves us on to celebrate wonderful growth... in and outside the walls that hold us together.

Construction Update

On Sunday, May 6, 2007 we broke ground for the third building addition to the original Emmaus church building. Less than one year later, on Sunday, March 16, 2008 we dedicated the new addition with an "Amazing Grace" celebration! As the construction phase of our new building is nearing completion, we are now moving forward to furnish the space. As we use our new building space, adjustments will continually need to be made. Ours is a growing congregation and the staff is committed to remaining flexible and willing to compromise to make the space fit best for all involved in the Emmaus ministries. This summer you will see the completion of furnishing take shape. Thank you for your generosity to the Growing in Grace Campaign. Thank you, too, for your patience with the project!

Mission Gift

Emmaus traditionally dedicates 10% of the gifts we receive to mission and outreach work. We have agreed as a congregation to continue that tradition in this capital campaign. Through this campaign, we have the opportunity to give an additional $75,000 to $100,000 or more for the mission work of our church. Our new facilities will be important for the ministry programs and the overall mission of Emmaus. Our special mission gift will be another opportunity to share God's love!

"Building Bridges Across Nations through the Capital Campaign Tithe" by David Olson, Pastor of College Ministry and Outreach

Following in these footsteps, we are giving 10% of our campaign funds to missions. The missions committee has a vision to bless growing congregations in different parts of the world with church buildings of their own. One of our goals in this effort is to go beyond just giving money and instead build “sister” church relationships with these congregations. As amazing as it sounds, we conservatively estimate that we can support building approximately seven churches with the money that has already come in as pledges and gifts. Projects have been proposed for Ukraine, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

Our first project was begun last spring for a church in Gigante, Nicaragua, a village area located on the Pacific Ocean in the southwest corner of Nicaragua. We held a service there last year for a congregation that met under a structure with a corrugated roof and no wall or floor. This very active congregation is eager to reach out to their own community. This past spring a group of about 30 traveled there to visit the leadership of the church and to begin the work of building a church. The church now has the footings and walls finished, and we are planning to send another team in the coming spring to help complete the work on the roof and floor.

Nazario Montano, the pastor of "The Light of Life" congregation in Gigante, Nicaragua writes: "We as a congregation are very thankful and happy for the help given to us. We have been greatly impacted by this blessing that has been brought to Gigante. Our vision is to win all of the Gigante area for Christ with the help of God. We are praying fervently to the Lord, asking the Lord…so when we have built the church, we can fill it for the Glory of Christ."

Other projects supported by Growing in Grace Campaign funds include Life Bible School in Chaem Luoang, Thailand (building a meeting room and hostel), Corazon de Jesus, Costa Rica (building a church), and International Training Center in Odessa, Ukraine (rebuilding structure damaged by fire).

We have such a privilege and opportunity now to be a blessing in so many different places in the world. As a missions committee we would like to thank you for your encouragement and support of this current work. We will continue to bring updates as these projects develop.

Your Invitation

• To ponder what it means to be created in the image of our gracious and generous God.
• To examine where you are on your faith journey.
• To reflect on the blessings in your life.
• To be mindful of a community and world who so desperately need to experience the good news of Jesus Christ.
• To consider how the goals of the campaign will further our mission and ministry..

And then... you are asked to respond to this invitation with joy and thanksgiving!