Encounter Church is at a pivotal moment. Our physical spaces are limiting our ability to serve people effectively—kids’ areas are overcrowded, the Kentwood building isn’t as functional and inviting as we desire, and Fulton Heights’ kids’ ministry has far exceeded expectations so far. By addressing these challenges now, we’re removing barriers so that everyone—and your “one” —can experience God’s love in a safe and welcoming environment. The need is urgent, and the time is now to make your courageous NEXT YES.

Kentwood: Before learning anything about Jesus, parents need to know their children are safe. Currently, kids ages birth-5th grade are spread over four areas and two floors. Our aim is for all our children to be behind one secure check-in. Additionally, new transparent glass frontage along Kalamazoo Ave and a welcoming courtyard where the pool once was will help invite the thousands of passersby each day into the church. Finally, auditorium flow and sound improvements will enhance the overall experience.

Fulton Heights: The amount of growth, particularly among kids, at Fulton Heights has been astounding! It’s time to recognize the lower level for what it is: a stellar Kids Ministry! We’ll be removing walls and combining storage areas to recognize the lower level for what it is: a stellar Kids Ministry! We’ll be removing walls and combining storage areas to add more usable square footage for kids. This will make it possible to create a centralized check-in between areas. We’re also adding a bathroom on the west side of the building and renovating the existing lower-level bathrooms.

Nepal: Encounter Nepal has been growing and reaching new people with the gospel of Jesus. After worshipping with Encounter Kentwood for nearly a decade, the Maharjan family moved back to Kathmandu, Nepal to start Encounter Nepal. After starting a church in the town of Khokana, just SW of Kathmandu, they are now focusing on going multisite and starting a second location in Kumaripati, central Kathmandu. The first gifts of this campaign will go directly to and starting a second location in Kumaripati, central Kathmandu. The first gifts of this campaign will go directly to finishing the buildout of their second location.

The work for this project really began in 2023 when the Lead Team identified a number of ministry barriers. These were then prioritized and plans to overcome them were developed. In the fall of 2024, we consulted Elevate Studio, an architecture firm that specialized in churches. Upon our successful NEXT YES campaign, we anticipate work will begin in the early summer with an estimated completion by fall 2025.

We are asking everyone who calls Encounter their home to commit relationally to at least one person who isn’t currently walking with Jesus. This is your friend, not a spiritual project. Someone you can spend time with, pray with, and serve—someone who you love and who you desperately want to know the love of Jesus. We call this person your One. And a Yes to your One is a call to live with open-handed generosity to remove the barriers that stand in the way of your One meeting Jesus.

We fully anticipate achieving our goal through everyone's sacrificial commitments. However, in the event that we do not achieve our financial goal, our leadership team will look for creative solutions that would allow us to complete the work. That might mean value-engineering a solution or postponing a portion of the project's intended. However, our earnest desire is to complete all the work at the same time to address all of these challenges at once. This is only possible through our combined sacrifice and generosity.

While many are only recently hearing about this campaign, the Lead Team began identifying and prioritizing specific barriers to ministry back in 2023. Next, they created a Design Team to work directly with a design/architecture firm called Elevate Studio. Elevate conducted in-person interviews and questionnaires with dozens of people including volunteers, staff, and Lead Team toward the goal of effectively developing a master plan that focuses on near-term needs while positioning Encounter for continued growth. Every step has been guided by the question: How can we best fulfill our mission of bringing people far from God to new life in Christ?

The campaign is a unique opportunity for us to give above and beyond our current gifts to the church so that we can accomplish the projects outlined above. The costs of these projects fall outside our normal ministry budget. Your ongoing giving supports our daily ministry operations, while your NEXT YES contribution helps fund this specific vision for transformation. You can give in a way that works best for you—however, we encourage a commitment spread out over two years that coincides with intentional prayer for your “One” during the same time frame. We’re grateful for the Yes that you are called to offer.

We are One Church in multiple locations on a mission to bring people far from God into new life in Christ. The truth is, the blessings we experience at each location today are only possible because of the generosity and sacrifices of those who came before us—people who gave with a vision far bigger than their own immediate community. By giving toward the campaign as a whole, you have the opportunity to extend that same spirit of generosity. Together, we can accomplish more than we ever could alone.

Yes! If you have skills, materials, or services to offer that align with the project needs, please contact Kevin Tempelman. If the gifts are financial such as stocks or bonds, Brian Van Der Heide would love to talk!

You can reach out to several people with questions:

• Lead Team, for general comments and feedback (leadteam@encounterchurch.org),
• Kevin Tempelman, our Project Representative, can answer design/build questions (kevin.tempelman@gmail.com)
• Dirk VanEyk, Lead Pastor for questions around mission and strategy (dirk@encounterchurch.org),
• Brian Van Der Heide, for financial questions (treasurer@encounterchurch.org)

They’re happy to provide more information and discuss any questions you may have

Two 12-packs of pop each week over 2 years could equal an almost $250 contribution.

Food is probably the largest expense we have each month. Using food coupons can save $30-$40 per week. Donating $30 each week over 2 years equals a $3,120 contribution.

For example, giving up a $6 coffee 3 days each week for 2 years could equal a $1,872 contribution.

(Netflix/Hulu/Disney+/Spotify) from Premium to Standard. Your savings of $8-$15 each month could mean a $192-$360 contribution over 2 years.

If you will be paying off some form of debt in the next year, commit to continue to “pay the bill” by redirecting the money to the project after the bill is paid off. An $80 bill that is paid off and redirected for 1.5 years could equal a $1,440 contribution.

For one or both of the 2 years, do something close and inexpensive like a day trip. Or take a 3-day vacation instead of a week and save on airfare and hotel costs. This can easily save between $1,000-$2,000.

On week 1, contribute $1. On week 2, contribute $2. By the end of 1 year, you will have contributed $1,378. Doing this challenge 2 years in a row could equal a $2,756 contribution.

You may have treasures sitting in your home, such as coins, stamps, baseball cards, art, or other collections of worth. Consider parting with these items by getting them appraised, selling them, and donating the revenue toward the cost of the project.

Selling land or real estate of which you are not using may generate tens of thousands of dollars or more. Donate other assets of worth. Do you have jewelry, or an extra boat, car, or motorcycle? Prayerfully consider donating them to pay towards the cost of the project.

This will avoid paying capital gains taxes and provide you with a tax-deductible contribution.