Q: What are we doing?
A: We are answering God's call to expand our facilities that will support and allow expansion of our ministries.

Q: Why are we doing it?
A: Our ministries serve to achieve the mission and vision of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church.  Expanding our facilities will increase the ability of our ministries to do this and we will be Growing God's Vision for Mars Hill.

Q: What is the mission and vision of Mars Hill Presbyterian Church?
A: Click here for the answer.

Q: How will we expand our facilities?
A: There are several ways we are expanding our facilities:

• We will completely renovate the Family Life Center and make it a Children's Education Building with classrooms, restrooms, a large gathering area, and a reception area.
• We will build a new Fellowship Hall between the Chapel and the Sanctuary with enough seating at tables for 250, two large classrooms, ADA compliant restrooms in proximity to the Sanctuary, a commercial kitchen, and a hallway through the building for people going from one building to another.
• We will make the current Fellowship Hall a dedicated Youth Building.
• We will remove the modular buildings and have more parking spaces.

Q: How much will this cost?
A: The total cost of the project is currently being calculated.

Q: Why are we having the Growing God's Vision campaign?
A: Our Growing God's Vision campaign will provide the financial resources, beyond our regular budget, that are needed to expand our facilities while we continue to expand our ministries.  We will also learn about stewardship, time, talents, and gifts.

Q: Are you going to ask for pledges?
A: After a period of education and communication, you will be given the opportunity on May 20, 2007 to participate in a three year financial commitment over and above your regular giving.  We do not expect you to commit your resources until you fully understand what we are doing and why.

Q: What is the timeline for the campaign?
A: Communications will start to go out in mid March regarding the Growing God's Vision campaign.  All activities will culminate on Celebration Sunday, May 20.

Q: What can I do to prepare and participate?
A: Pray for the campaign and our church and allow God to speak to your heart.  There will be times for you to participate in small groups for prayer and fellowship in order to lay a strong spiritual foundation for what God has in store for us.  Sunday School and worship services the four Sundays prior to May 20 will also help you prepare.  We hope you will respond to any prompting you may receive from God.

Q: Are you expecting a certain amount for a pledge?
A: There is no set or "expected" amount. Each person will be given the opportunity to give sacrificially above his/her regular giving.

Q: How should I determine how much to give?
A: Again you should be in prayer about this and discuss it with your family.  You may also find it very helpful to attend Sunday School and worship services particularly the last two Sundays in April and the first two Sundays in May where this topic will be studied and discussed.

Q: What else should I consider?
A: Consider if you have any appreciated assets such as stocks or property.  There are very good tax advantages that benefit the giver of an appreciated asset to a charity.  Someone will be able to help you through this process if you need it.

Q: If I can't give a large amount, does my pledge really matter?
A: YES!  Not everyone can give the same amount because God blesses each of us differently.  He does not expect equal giving, but equal sacrifice.

Q: When will I be given the opportunity to make my commitment?
A: We will utilize a variety of methods to increase people's awareness of what we are doing and remind people to pray about what they will give. There is one day, Sunday, May 20 - "Celebration Sunday", when every one will have an opportunity to make a commitment for giving over the next three years.

Q: What if I can't fulfill my three year commitment to the end?  Can I change my pledge?
A: Mars Hill will not pursue collection at any time. Knowing that life situations can change unexpectedly, commitment amounts can be adjusted at any time. The commitment process is designed so that we have an idea of future giving to assist in planning for the project.

Q: When are we planning to start construction?
A: (answer to be provided)

Q: Will this building program change Mars Hill?
A: Mars Hill is the people, not the buildings. We are a mission-driven organization focused on people. Our facilities are an enabler to our ministries for them to be effective towards reaching the mission and vision of Mars Hill. But we want to be very intentional about making sure our mission and vision (God's mission and vision) defines our buildings and their use rather than the other way around.