"A Ten-Year 15 Million Dollar Vision of Growth, Ministry and Mission"

Our Strategy

The Emmanuel Lutheran Church staff, Council and leadership have been immersed in studying all of these opportunities through our Exploration Ministry process over more than two years. 

The initial concept of reaching out into the community grew from cottage meetings led by Pastor Wigdahl in 2000. It was refined and clarified through other leadership events, and then endorsed in Council led cottage meetings in 2004, when the Ministry Exploration Committee was formed. A congregational vote in April 2005 gave approval to look for and purchase land for a new site, which was completed in June 2006. The James Company, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, partnered with us to help with an extensive long range planning process, which resulted in objectives to direct our ministry and operational growth in the next several years.

We now seek broader congregational support for these bold plans for our future as God's hands and feet in the world.

CURRENT SITE ON MOORING LINE DRIVE

We are confident that continuing the investigation into expanding our facilities at our present location will enable us in time to reach more people living in our region who seek a church home where they feel welcomed and comfortable in a Lutheran liturgical setting.

Our ministries to the congregation through caring, fellowship and learning opportunities will continue to grow. Our ministries to the community and the world, to those in need and with special concerns, will also grow through increased involvement and financial support. We will maintain a presence for people of all ages through our Day School, our Children's and Youth Ministry Teams and our adult programs.

NEW SITE ON OIL WELL ROAD

Our vision is bold, with plans for a mission center to the community in that region, even as we purchase the land. Contemporary worship housed in a nearby school, programs for children, youth and families in partnership with other local agencies, and serving needs through supporting other community groups, all may be a part of our immediate ministry plans centered on our new site.

Once the land is paid for, and the county process for growth management and zoning changes is complete, we envision development of a satellite/mission location supported by our congregation on the new site to house the ministries and programs already established, as well as provide for new and varied offerings to meet the needs of the fast growing community.

How will we proceed?

Implementation Study - In December 2006 and January 2007 The James Company interviewed over 100 members to gauge the excitement and commitment to this plan, and the willingness to support this bold venture. Based on the data gathered from this study, the plans and goals in this document were developed.

Congregational Vote - At the Annual Congregational Meeting on January 28, 2007, those present voted unanimously to move ahead with the first phase of this overall vision with a fifteen-month appeal from January 2007 to March 2008.

Conduct Initial Capital Appeal - The James Company assisted us with the fund raising aspect of the initiative. The proposed fundraising goal for this first phase is $3.5 million in gifts and/or three-year pledges. A major gift campaign was conducted to help all members become fully informed, followed by a very successful every member appeal January to March of 2008, our Fiftieth Anniversary Year. The current appeal for Phase One is underway and doing well. Subsequent appeals will be considered to address Phases 2 and 3 at the appropriate time.

Congregation-wide Commitment - This project is only possible with the shared commitment of us all. It will require prayerful, ambitious and sacrificial commitment from each person and family. Every member of Emmanuel will be given "the privilege of sharing" in this exciting spiritual initiative!

PHASE 1 - 2007 to 2010 - "Providing a Foundation"
- Financial Goal: $3,500,000

Land Acquisition Completion - Thanks to a generous loan through an Emmanuel member, we have purchased over 20 acres of land to make this vision of a Lutheran presence in Northeast Collier County a reality. We will meet our schedule to repay this loan over four years.

Projected cost to repay the loan  -  $ 2,700,000

Continuing Architectural Consultation - Our recent work with an architect confirmed that we are able to consider significant expansion and renovation to our current facilities, including increasing sanctuary seating and adding classrooms, office space, and parking. We will ask for bids from architects and have them develop full architectural renderings for all expansion possibilities, with maximum congregational input.

Projected cost for complete site plan architectural renderings  -  $ 200,000

Debt Management - We will address and eliminate the existing mortgage on our current property, freeing up additional funds for operating and ministry needs, including new ministries and staffing for our our new site.

Projected cost to eliminate current mortgage debt  -  $ 600,000

PHASE 2 - 2011 to 2013 - "Expanding Our Gifts"
- Financial Goal: $5,000,000

Building Project on Mooring Line Drive - Based on final plans from the architect approved by the congregation, a building project will address parking, sanctuary renovation and/or expansion, additional office and classroom space and needed renovations and upgrades to the overall facility.

Projected cost of building project, pending final congregational approval - $ 4,800,000

Architectural Consultation for Oil Well Road Site - We will ask for bids from architects and have them develop full architectural renderings for all facility possibilities, with maximum congregational input, including current and new congregation members involved in new site ministries by this time.

Projected cost for complete site plan architectural renderings - $ 200,000

PHASE 3 - 2014 to 2016 - "Birthing New Ministries"
- Financial Goal: $6,500,000

Building Project on Oil Well Road - Based on final plans from the architect approved by the congregation, we will address facilities to house ongoing and new ministries, potentially including fellowship and worship space, children, youth and family ministry areas, child and adult day care and more.

Projected cost of building project, pending final congregational approval - $ 6,500,000

elcanaples@embarqmail.com | 777 Mooring Line Drive | Naples, FL 34102 | Phone: 239-261-0894 | Fax: 239-261-1802
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