The Future We See
Funds raised during ARISE will be directed toward supporting two key initiatives.
Spiritual Beacon Building: $1.3M
We hope to purchase a permanent church home on the north side of Chicago to continue baptizing, discipling and equipping people to be a Gospel light in our city.
Spiritual Beacon Ministry: $1.3M
We hope to make a significant investment in current and future ministry to grow into a resource church for our city with a vibrant youth group, discipleship, mercy ministry, and more.
SPIRITUAL BEACON BUILDING
Why do we need a building?
Enhanced Hospitality: Owning a space allows us to extend greater hospitality to our neighbors, create a hub for Immanuel’s community life, and implement a sustainable mercy ministry to meet local needs.
Sustainable Growth: Urban churches see significant growth after establishing a permanent location, as transient individuals connect more easily with churches that offer stability.
Community Trust: Local residents are more inclined to trust and join a church anchored in the community and committed for the long haul.
Long-term Investment: We are not here temporarily; we’re making a lasting commitment to Gospel ministry in Chicago for generations to come. Renting spaces limits our ability to serve effectively.
Increased Stewardship: As Anglicans, we know that matter matters. We are ready to shape a space for worship and have the space shape us.
SPIRITUAL BEACON BUILDING
Why is now the time to pursue a building?
We are losing our current worship space. 640 W Irving Park, now owned by a developer, will soon be converted into a high-rise senior living complex.
Ownership reduces risks. While renting has some benefits, it also leaves us vulnerable to the sudden loss of a worship space, rising rents, as well as the limits on hours of usage. We need to reduce these risks as soon as God allows by pursuing ownership.
Our congregation is ready. After 11 years, we have the leadership and structures in place to venture into a building initiative. We are eager to have a home for discipleship and ministry.
SPIRITUAL BEACON Ministry
How will the ARISE Fund support ongoing ministry?
Maintain current ministry. Reliable projected income will allow Immanuel to continue her ministry through Sunday services, discipleship, pastoral care, city groups, community outreach, and worship arts.
Dream for the future. Even as we raise money for a building, we can begin using some operating funds to creatively experiment with ideas for future ministry. As with all ministry, we will move as God leads through collective discernment and where He is providing volunteers, vision and spiritual fruit.
SPIRITUAL BEACON Ministry
What does Immanuel have planned for the next 10 years?
With open hands, we hope and dream that in the next decade Immanuel will:
- Turn every ministry into an outreach opportunity until we have doubled the impact of our Sunday worship services, expanded our third space outreach events, and made City Groups more hospitable to the unchurched.
- Build a robust pipeline of discipleship for ages 11-30 that includes a vibrant youth group, a campus ministry partnership, and a young adult residency program that equips people for missional living.
- Establish a central mercy ministry in our community that cares for vulnerable children and families.
- Strengthen the support systems for our families and single adults for long-term urban flourishing so that more people are able to put down roots and commit to a missional life in Chicago.
- Become a church for the nations where people of many cultures make Immanuel their spiritual home and we increase the number of missionaries we are sending abroad.
