NEXT Initiative

W H A T I S

A T B E R E A N ?

Dear FaithFamily,

God has blessed Berean Baptist Church in her 50-year history. We’ve grown and changed a great deal…but we have remained consistent in our passion for touching the families of our community with the message of the Gospel.

Looking forward we must ask questions like, “What is the next step of faith God is calling us to take? How will we reach our community in the next 50 years? And, how will we connect with the next generation of young families?”

After considerable prayer and discussion among the pastors, elders, and staff, we have identified that next step—a project we are simply calling “NEXT.” NEXT is an ambitious, faith-filled initiative that invests in our current facility so that we may better minister to the families that currently call Berean home while we also position ourselves for continued growth. NEXT focuses on three key areas:

kids, community, and connection.

On the following pages you will discover the exciting details of this project and how it will enable us to “open our doors” even wider to our community.

One appealing aspect of this project is that it will not incur any debt. We will pace the planned renovations and construction with the pace of the financial support the building fund receives. The projected cost of NEXT is $1.6 million and it will touch an incredible 40% of our campus. Lord willing, construction will begin in February 2015 and be completed before our Vacation Bible School outreach in July 2015.

“We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.”

Psalm 78:4

I believe that after learning how NEXT will revolutionize our ministry to children and young families, position us to better reach our community, and benefit our FaithFamily as a whole, you will see why we are thrilled to take this step of faith. We also want to invite you to personally help us take this step.

Would you take the gift envelope in this booklet and ask God to reveal to you how you should be involved in NEXT? Individually, none of us could take on a project like this, but as a FaithFamily we can accomplish amazing things as we sacrificially and enthusiastically follow Christ together.

For the sake of the Gospel,

See what some of these new spaces will look like at:

www.bereanbaptist.com/next

K I D S WE KIDS!

What if new families instantly knew how much we love kids based on what they experience in their first few minutes in our building? What if getting their children to the right place was easy, and once there, they found innovative programming happening in fresh, engaging, and secure spaces? That is our goal—to put our very best foot forward as we engage young families with the Gospel. Currently, parents face a maze of long hallways, multiple stairwells and entrances that make finding the correct rooms for their children a challenge. While traveling these corridors it becomes obvious that our kid’s spaces are in the oldest parts of our building and that they need significant updating to make them more kid-friendly and secure. Most importantly, with our increasing attendance we also need spaces with the flexibility to adjust to how we do children’s programming.

NEXT solution:Renovate our kid’s spaces to create a brand new KID’S WING

o Main level features a consolidated wing for birth through kindergarten and the lower level wing brings 1st through 4th grade together.o Two new check-in areas make for easy drop offs and secure the KID’S WING during programming.o A totally reimagined space for our brand new PreTeen Ministry (THRIVE).o Updated rooms, décor, furniture, and flooring create engaging and exciting spaces for kids to explore, connect, and learn.o Large group and small group programming takes place in larger spaces by removing several walls.o New family and kid bathrooms, a mom’s nursing room, and an infant cry room.o New “God’s Special Flock” room to better serve our kids with special needs.o New children’s ministry staff office placed in the heart of the KID’S WING.

kids.

C O M M U N I T YWELCOME HOME!

It is said that you have eight seconds to make a first impression. What is the impression Berean makes when new people walk through our doors? As our FaithFamily grows to over 2,000 families, this is a huge issue--How can we help guests feel immediately at ease and relaxed when they would normally feel overwhelmed and out of place? How do we create an environment that draws people in and helps them slow down, enjoy themselves, and connect with each other--just like home?

At present, Berean doesn’t have any informal spaces dedicated to conversation and relationship building--a space that shouts “hang out with us.” We need a place where new people and those who have called Berean home for years can mingle, chat, and develop community.

NEXT solution:Create a full-service CAFÉ

o Removing some walls creates an easily accessible and visible CAFÉ from the Main Commons. Guests can’t miss the inviting and relaxing vibe of this attractive space.o Comfortable furniture, tranquil lighting and décor, and a warm fireplace provide the perfect place to hang out with friends or make some new ones.o Whether you take your joe black or you prefer those froo-froo lattes and smoothies, this CAFÉ has you covered. o The new CAFÉ brings everyone together since it appeals to older and younger generations alike-- a very savvy move for a four generation church.

community.

C O N N E C T I O NWE’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU!

Our desire is to see people move into deeper and deeper levels of connection and involvement--from visiting our church to coming back, and from just attending to being an active participant who is using their gifts to build up our FaithFamily. We want people to go from making a difference within our four walls to impacting their neighbors and our world with the Gospel.

Right now our campus can put barriers in the way of people trying to get connected. It can be confusing or feel complicated. If we want a guest to feel valued and special, we make it obvious that we have been thinking about them and have done everything we can to give them a great experience. We make it easy for them to get their questions answered and find their way around. We make it easy for everyone to take that next step of faith, community, or engagement.

NEXT solution:Streamline the process of connection for guests and our FaithFamily.

o You can’t miss our redesigned Welcome Center. Placed directly in front of guests as they enter communicates to everyone “We’ve been expecting you and we are here to help.”o We’ve created a one-stop shop in the Main Commons called the Connection Hub where you can do everything from sign up for a Bible study or small group, register for events, or get information about featured programs and opportunities.o New updated signage makes it even easier to navigate our campus.o From our main entrance you can see and easily navigate to our children’s check-in area, the Welcome Center, the Connection Hub, the Worship Center, and the Café.

connection.

P A R T N E R S H I PTAKING THAT NEXT STEP TOGETHER

NEXT is about dramatically improving our ability to reach the next generation through making an investment in the facility God has blessed us with. By maximizing our space we will position ourselves for continued growth.

As Pastor Wes mentioned earlier in his letter, we can accomplish extraordinary things when we partner together. We invite you to join us in this project by giving to the building fund over and above your weekly offerings, which support all our church ministries. As you consider supporting this initiative, we ask you to pray. Ask for God to lead you in your decision, await His response, then act.

Accomplishing our goal of $1.6 million will require our entire FaithFamily to get behind this project and to participate sacrificially. To sacrifice means to willingly give the best we have for a greater purpose. Things to keep in mind as you consider your gift:

o All gifts should be designated for the BUILDING FUND.o You can give one gift or spread out several gifts to this project anytime between now and JANUARY 31. We need to be at 75% of our goal by then to begin renovations on time.o All gifts will be listed on your annual giving statement.o You can give your gift using the enclosed envelope, during worship services, at the Giving Kiosk, or online.o Creative giving options: learn about additional ways to give non-cash assets at www.bereanbaptist.com/next or contact Sue Schintz at 952.223.1820.

Have questions or want tolearn more about NEXT?

o Town Hall meeting Sunday, November 23 at 6 p.m.

o FaithFamily Celebration Wednesday, November 26 at 6:30 p.m.

o NEXT display in the Main Commons

o www.bereanbaptist.com/next has more detailed information and videos.

PRAYER BOOKMARK

NEXT prayer steps:

Prayerfully consider my part in NEXT. I sense God leading me to partner in this way:

Pray that our FaithFamily catches the vision of NEXT and we raise our $1.6 million goal.

Pray that our kid’s ministry would attract new young families and reach the next generation of children with the Gospel.

Pray that God would develop great community and relationships within Berean.

Pray for all our guests, that as they enter our building they feel welcomed, served, and at home.

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