MORE

A LETTER FROM
PASTOR TOM

I once helped a friend move into an old house. As he peeled back layers of wallpaper, he found himself drawn into the story of that place: rooms where generations before him had gathered, eaten, cried, and prayed. He talked about the privilege of living there and raising his own family in a home that had already held so much life, all while knowing his own season would be just one chapter in a story that would continue long after he’s gone.

In a similar way, for well over a century, God has been at work on South Broad Street—building, sustaining, and growing a vibrant, multigenerational family of faith to reach across our town and our world with His love.Like our personal lives, the life of a church is rarely linear. Seasons of challenge and seasons of opportunity both serve a purpose: to prepare us for where God is leading us next. Just as past generations were invited to step out in faith and build the foundation on which we now stand, we are being invited to consider the opportunity of our generation.

That is what MORE is about.

MORE is not first about a project. It is a spiritual invitation—a call to make room for God in our hearts, in our lives, and in our life together, so that more people can be known, welcomed, and find their hope in Christ.

This is a significant moment for our church. We are welcoming more people through our doors than ever before, and more of us are encountering people far from God in our families, neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces every day. Just as those before us built stained glass windows, food pantries, Sunday School classrooms, and steeples, this is our moment. How will we respond?

As you read this website, I encourage you to do so slowly and prayerfully. Read with gratitude for what God has already done, with hope for what He may be preparing next, and with anticipation for how each of us—how you—can be part of it. This is a moment to listen, to trust, and to walk forward in faith together.

‍“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” (Ephesians 3:20)

‍That is our hope. The God who has been faithful to St. John’s will be faithful still.Thank you for walking this journey. Let’s build something the next generation can stand on, trusting God for MORE than all we could ever ask or imagine.

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Tom

MORE IS ABOUT MAKING ROOM

MAKING ROOM FOR GOD

We begin where the Church has always begun: with worship, prayer, and trust. Before we make room in our building, we seek to make room in our lives—centering our days around God’s presence, Word, and grace. This is a return to the rhythms that form us: listening before acting, surrender before striving, faith before outcomes.

MAKING ROOM FOR OTHERS

Because we have been welcomed by God, we practice lives of hospitality and generosity. Making room for others means shaping our lives—and our shared spaces—so people can be known, loved, and drawn into authentic community. Our generosity becomes an expression of the grace we ourselves have received.

MAKING ROOM FOR THE FUTURE

We do not build for ourselves alone. We build for children, students, families, and neighbors we may never meet—trusting that God uses our faithfulness today to bless generations to come. This is legacy-shaped generosity, rooted in hope rather than fear.

PRIMARY GOAL

100% ENGAGEMENT

At St. John’s, we are trusting God for MORE—not only in what He will do through expanded space, but in what He longs to do within us as His people.

Our primary goal in the MORE campaign is 100% engagement: that every person in our church family would prayerfully and faithfully engage this season by asking what it looks like to make room for God, for others, and for the future He is shaping among us.

This is not about equal gifts, but about a shared posture of discipleship. MORE invites each of us—no matter our age, background, or season of life—to take our next step in following Jesus with open hearts, open lives, and open hands.

SECONDARY GOAL

$800,000 OVER TWO
YEARS

As a secondary goal, we are trusting God to provide $800,000 over the next two years to support this vision—expanding our space so that more people can encounter Christ, experience community, and grow as disciples.

This is something to pray for, to discern together, and ultimately, something to give our lives away for—believing that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20–21).

We invite every person at St. John’s to discern their next step in giving—not out of pressure, but as an act of worship and trust. When the whole church moves together, God forms us together. And when we live generously, we participate in the life God is already unfolding among us.

STORIES

Brief description of who is in the video and what it is about.

TAKE YOUR
NEXT STEP

MORE is not simply about what we are building—it’s about who we are becoming.

God has been faithfully shaping St. John’s for generations, and we believe this moment is part of that long story. The spaces we create today will help form lives, nurture faith, and welcome people we have not yet met.
What we are doing now is an act of trust—believing that God is already at work ahead of us.

This season invites us to ask a simple but meaningful question:
What does it look like for me to make room?
Room for God. Room for others. Room for the future.

MAKE A COMMITMENT DOWNLOAD THE BOOKLET

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What specifically is planned in this project?

MORE is a vision for making room—for worship, for welcome, for community, and for the next generation. This first step of $800,000 moves us toward that larger vision by expanding the spaces in our current church building for worship and fellowship. The larger vision will also include the eventual renovation of the recently acquired Geneva Street building.

When will the new building on Geneva Street be renovated?

Geneva Street is part of the vision, but it comes next. Once we complete this initial step, we will begin making plans to transform that building into dedicated space for the next generation, community ministry, and church administrative offices.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THE FULL VISION?

The full vision would cost approximately $2.2 million in today's dollars. The first step of $800,000 is part of that larger vision, not an amount separate from it. Any funds raised beyond this first goal will be used to move forward on additional parts of the vision, including the Geneva Street renovation. Future costs will be determined closer to the time of construction.

Is MORE just a building campaign?

No. MORE is first a season of spiritual formation—making room in our hearts and lives so that more people can experience God’s grace. The building expansion serves that larger purpose.

WHY EXPAND NOW?

God has been steadily growing St. John’s, and our current spaces are limiting our ability to welcome, disciple, and gather people across generations. This expansion prepares us to serve both those here now and those still to come.

HOW LONG IS THE MORE CAMPAIGN?

MORE is a two-year spiritual formation initiative, inviting prayerful discernment, consistent generosity, and shared commitment over time rather than one-time giving purpose.

Will reserve funds or borrowing also be used to help accomplish this vision?

Yes. In addition to our first step of $800,000, we anticipate using approximately $200,000–$300,000 from reserve funds and/or modest borrowing. This would provide up to $1.2 million for the initial scope of work.

What if I’m new or not ready to give?

You are welcome here. MORE invites 100% engagement, not equal giving. Prayer, participation, and discernment are meaningful ways to engage as you take your next step.

What happens to our regular giving during MORE?

Regular giving continues to support the ongoing ministry of St. John’s, while gifts toward MORE help fund the expansion that supports our future mission.

What if I can’t give a large financial gift?

Every gift matters. Faithfulness is measured by trust and obedience, not by amount. Each person is invited to respond as God leads.

How will decisions and funds be handled?

Church leadership and congregation council will oversee the project with prayer, care, and accountability, stewarding resources wisely and transparently.

How can I be part of MORE beyond giving?

Pray for wisdom and unity, participate in worship and community, invite others, and trust that God is at work through our shared life together.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

A LETTER FROMPASTOR TOM