If you have not heard yet we are looking into facility improvements for The First Baptist Church of Elgin.  In order to move things forward in an organized fashion two teams have been commissioned by the diaconate to pursue development with the Nestler Road property as well as our Highland Ave facility.  Vic Ribando is heading up the team for Nestler road to look into the possibility of developing 15-18 acres of our 48 acres currently owned in order to raise funds for facility improvements.  The idea is to save 30 acres for future ministry expansion.  Vic is communicating with real estate and development professionals to develop realistic proposals to consider.

Bill Duzet is the chair of the Highland Ave. vision team.  Team members include..  Bill Boscaljon, Vivian Bartt, Floyd Cork, Gary Green, Mary Pierce, Jason Poland, Dave Pohlmeier.

We have contracted with a church design firm Wildesign  Group Architects Inc. to evaluate our current facilities and develop realistic proposals for improvement.  Our first meeting with the architects and the vision team is set for this Monday 8/31.  This process will involve three parts.

1. Ministry and Facility Visioning.  During this step we will be taking a look at our current facility from a visitors perspective.  We will evaluate our existing facility and how it serves our current ministry.  Finally we will begin to set financial parameters as well as time lines to begin planning facility improvements. At the end of this phase our hope is to have clarity about purpose.

2. Facility Design Concepts – during this phase we will be meeting with various ministry groups involved at the church as we begin to discuss concepts about facility improvements.  We will start to look at preliminary concepts and probable costs associated with improvements.  We will begin to look at doing one big project or a project with multiple phases and address a time line for the project.   At the end of this phase we hope to have conviction about a plan.

3.  Facility Strategic Plan – During this phase we will communicate the scope of the project with the congregation at large.  We will finalize concept plans consistent with city guidelines and restrictions.  Our hope at the end of this phase is to clearly communicate to the congregation the strategic plan and look at the possibility of construction.

Thorough out this process if you have any questions or ideas share them with someone on vision team.  It is exciting to see what God is doing through our ministries and how we can continue to dream about the future possibilities.