Building a new Church is both an exciting and challenging time. Exciting because it indicates God’s blessing of growth and expansion and challenging because it presents the congregation an opportunity to stretch our faith to work together, and commit ourselves for not just the present ministry, but for the future.
Nobody knows when Jesus is returning, but we are commissioned to “occupy” until He comes, and that means to expand as the increase comes. Great Life Church began with just seven people, all who are still a part of this ministry and has now grown from a small acorn into a mighty oak tree. Our reach always begins with our local community but now expands to the entire world. Look what the Lord has done.
Take a walk around our campuses and you will quickly see how urgent this expansion need is and we are excited to work together with you and thousands of our friends and partners in the Church and ministry. The “Time Is Now” to build! This new step of faith is not foreign to Pastor Ellen and I, we have been here many times before and witnessed the Divine hand of God work through His people to make the miracle happen.
Let’s go Church, let’s build for both now and for the future where families will continue to grow and flourish in the things of God.
Nobody knows when Jesus is returning, but we are commissioned to “occupy” until He comes, and that means to expand as the increase comes. Great Life Church began with just seven people, all who are still a part of this ministry and has now grown from a small acorn into a mighty oak tree. Our reach always begins with our local community but now expands to the entire world. Look what the Lord has done.
Take a walk around our campuses and you will quickly see how urgent this expansion need is and we are excited to work together with you and thousands of our friends and partners in the Church and ministry. The “Time Is Now” to build! This new step of faith is not foreign to Pastor Ellen and I, we have been here many times before and witnessed the Divine hand of God work through His people to make the miracle happen.
Let’s go Church, let’s build for both now and for the future where families will continue to grow and flourish in the things of God.
Why do we need a new Sanctuary and how will this help us to reach more people for Jesus?
We currently hold two full Sunday services to accommodate the crowds and at the advice of several consultants in Church growth, once a church reaches 70 - 80% capacity growth is limited and people tend to consider other options due to crowding. This new Sanctuary will help Great Life Church to enable more growth, hosting greater numbers of people for Sunday Worship, Conferences and concerts. We are a forward thinking Church, anticipating even greater growth through our soul winning programs and natural growth in our community. Our current Sanctuary has served us well up until now, but cannot carry us into the vision God has given us. It is outdated, and limited in many ways and we have maximized its potential, however, it will not go unused. Our current Sanctuary will be converted into a 7,000 square foot Family Ministries Center for newborn through 5th grade ministries.
How much money will this new expansion for Great Life Church cost and is this the right time to build?
We are blessed here at Great Life Church with some of the finest men and women with gifted skills in building trades, budgeting and cost efficiency. Together, they work very hard to design and build with cost effectiveness in mind, while at the same time, building a House for the Lord that will be a beautiful place to worship.
Great Life Church has hired a company that estimates the cost of the entire expansion project will be about $9 million. Our land is paid in full and we have additional real estate that will be sold to help contribute to the new project. This cost is what in the building trade is called “Turn Key” simply meaning that price includes everything up to the time they had us the keys.
We have seen the hand of God supernaturally provide for this ministry that began with nothing but a vision twelve years ago. We have projected this expansion project based on current building rates and interest rates for financing, but it is our prayer that as we take this step of faith, that the Lord will work through your heart and the hearts of many others to join with us to see this miracle happen.
Great Life Church has hired a company that estimates the cost of the entire expansion project will be about $9 million. Our land is paid in full and we have additional real estate that will be sold to help contribute to the new project. This cost is what in the building trade is called “Turn Key” simply meaning that price includes everything up to the time they had us the keys.
We have seen the hand of God supernaturally provide for this ministry that began with nothing but a vision twelve years ago. We have projected this expansion project based on current building rates and interest rates for financing, but it is our prayer that as we take this step of faith, that the Lord will work through your heart and the hearts of many others to join with us to see this miracle happen.
Will Great Life Church need to borrow money to build?
That is a great question. Normally, a Church will secure a building loan, which enables the project to move forward uninhibited so that there are no delays. In the construction industry, delay means extra cost, so yes, we will have a construction loan to get the project started and keep it moving along as quickly as possible. At the end of the project, whatever balance is owing, is converted into a mortgage.
A supernatural financial miracle can change all that, and also, all of us working and giving together. When we purchased our original building, we borrowed money and God has enabled us to manage this very well over the years. We have always placed the priority of winning souls and we truly believe we are blessed because we have put the Lords house first.
A supernatural financial miracle can change all that, and also, all of us working and giving together. When we purchased our original building, we borrowed money and God has enabled us to manage this very well over the years. We have always placed the priority of winning souls and we truly believe we are blessed because we have put the Lords house first.
What will the seating capacity of the new sanctuary be?
Our current architectural drawings will more than double the seating capacity of our current sanctuary, however our goal for seating is to be no less that 1,200 seats up to a possible 1,500 seats, but our design allows us to expand seating to up to 2,000. Final seating numbers are still being calculated through our seating company.
Our plan is to have theater style fixed seating and this requires our seating company to measure to come to an exact number.
Our plan is to have theater style fixed seating and this requires our seating company to measure to come to an exact number.
Will there be enough parking?
Yes! A couple of years ago, Great Life Church took a step of faith and purchased more acreage to the west of our current building. This additional land will enable us to build a 47,000 square foot addition with all the necessary parking, plus additional parking expansion should we require it.
We own almost 11 acres of land on Highway 50 which our civil engineers tell us will be more than enough to expand, and park all the necessary vehicles for our sanctuary space.
We own almost 11 acres of land on Highway 50 which our civil engineers tell us will be more than enough to expand, and park all the necessary vehicles for our sanctuary space.
When do we expect to begin the building program and when will our first service be in the new sanctuary?
We have just signed the agreement with our builder, and have hired our Project Manager, so we are already on the way, however, we are at the mercy of permitting. Once permits are approved, we will break ground and the project will begin. You will see some land clearing taking place even as early as the fall of 2024, however, the official start of the project is the day permits are approved to build here in Hernando County.
Once construction begins, we anticipate the project taking 15 - 18 months to complete pending supplies, weather and no other issues slowing it down.
Once construction begins, we anticipate the project taking 15 - 18 months to complete pending supplies, weather and no other issues slowing it down.
What can we as the congregation and friends and partners of the ministry do to help?
Another great question. We covet your prayers during this exciting project, but we also need your help financially. We will be presenting to every person, a Vision Plan showing where you can commit to an amount over the next two years, helping us to build this new sanctuary debt free if possible.
There will be one specific link for giving that can be used by all to sow as God provides on a systematic Faith Promise Plan, but also additional gifts as God provides.
It will also enable people to put this project in their personal wills, annuities and also to give digital currency, all working together to help build God’s House.
There will be one specific link for giving that can be used by all to sow as God provides on a systematic Faith Promise Plan, but also additional gifts as God provides.
It will also enable people to put this project in their personal wills, annuities and also to give digital currency, all working together to help build God’s House.
Interested in partnering with the vision? Sow a faith seed now toward the Time to Build campaign. We thank you for your prayer, consideration, and investment into what God is doing here.
Support until the project is done and we are praising in our Sanctuary! If you would like to set up recurring support toward the Time To Build campaign, click here.
• Endowment Funds: Establish or contribute to an endowment fund to ensure a perpetual source of support for Great Life Church's future expansion projects, global reach, and initiatives.
• Retirement Funds: Designate a portion of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement accounts toward Great Life Church, potentially offering you tax advantages.
• Planned Gifts: Include us in your estate planning to leave a lasting legacy that reflects your commitment to the future of Great Life.
• Retirement Funds: Designate a portion of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement accounts toward Great Life Church, potentially offering you tax advantages.
• Planned Gifts: Include us in your estate planning to leave a lasting legacy that reflects your commitment to the future of Great Life.