In 2011, as Jossie and I stood on a hillside near Horsetooth Reservoir overlooking Northern Colorado, we prayed for God’s Kingdom to come and his will to be done here as in heaven. This prayer has remained central in the heartbeat of Mill City Church ever since. It informs our prayers, the vision, and our mission to be a place where people are encountering Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did, so that Northern Colorado looks more like heaven.
In January of 2022, during our annual 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting, Jossie and I sensed that God was stirring something new for the days ahead. After prayerful discussions with our overseers, trustees, and staff team, it has become evident that God is leading us toward a permanent home.
Mill City Church has been a mobile church for over eleven years. We don’t see a building as the end goal, but rather as a vehicle to facilitate and accelerate the vision.
We have named our giving initiative “SO THAT…” because of what becomes possible as a result of having a building of our own. God has done incredible things in rented spaces through the years, but we sense the movement of the Holy Spirit, feel the constraints of our current facilities, and see the opportunities that lie ahead.
Would you join us in imagining what “SO THAT…” could look like here in Northern Colorado?
For His fame,
Aaron Stern
SO THAT...
SO THAT...
Mill City Church is a lighthouse of hope to Northern Colorado.
Colorado is #8 on the list of states with the largest number of people who do not know Jesus… yet.
Since we began, over 1000 people have made a decision to follow Jesus at Mill City Church. Imagine the possibilities of increased capacity to host Alpha, At The Movies, MCYA nights, and holiday gatherings.
SO THAT...
Mill City Church is a place to call home.
As part of the “unchurched belt,” a recent study shows Colorado ranks among the bottom ten states for weekly church attendance.
Approximately 2,500 people call Mill City Church “home.” Typically, when a church moves from portable to permanent, it grows anywhere from 20 – 100%. We are almost at capacity on Sunday mornings and need more space for Connect, kids, students, trainings, and more. Imagine thousands more experiencing authentic, life-giving, Jesus-centered community.
SO THAT...
Mill City Church is a place for the next generation to grow in Jesus.
Nearly half of all Americans who decide to follow Jesus do so before the age of 13, and two out of three make that commitment before their 18th birthday.
We care deeply about young people establishing lasting faith in an increasingly secular culture. Our kids and student ministries are growing rapidly. Imagine if we are only scratching the surface of what is possible for our children.
SO THAT...
Mill City Church is a training ground for spiritual formation and leadership development.
“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.” Dallas Willard
Having our own space will dramatically increase our ability to invest in our greatest resource…our people. Imagine a dedicated space for training our Lift Team and increased opportunities for City Groups and our Apprenticeship program.
SO THAT...
Mill City Church is a launching pad for serving those in need.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” Jesus (Matthew 25:40)
We can become a place where those in need can turn for care and support any day of the week. We want to express generous hospitality in a greater way to the poor and hurting. Imagine a meal served to Lincoln Middle School families in a wedding reception-type environment or a night out for single mothers.
“THE CHURCH IS TO BE A PLACE OF WELCOME AND LAUGHTER, OF HEALING AND HOPE, OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY, AND OF JUSTICE AND NEW LIFE.”
N. T. WRIGHT
Where are we now?
Over the past decade, we have prioritized budgeting conservatively to build our savings, with the hope of one day purchasing a permanent facility. We have approximately $3 million in savings available for a down payment on a building or property. Due to the current real estate market and the size of property we would need, we want to drastically and rapidly increase our savings balance to $7 million. This leaves us with an additional $4 million to raise over the next three years.
Each year, we spend roughly $250,000 on rental-related costs (UCA, CEC, office, storage, equipment repair, trucks, etc.). We look forward to those funds building equity.
WE WANT TO PUT DOWN ROOTS, HAVE A PLACE TO CALL HOME, BE AN ACCESSIBLE AND LOVING NEIGHBOR, AND IMPACT NORTHERN COLORADO.
What are our options?
OPTION 1
PURCHASE AND RENOVATE AN EXISTING PROPERTY
This seems like the most ideal and cost – effective option for us. Our hope is to find a central location within Fort Collins that allows us to easily maintain relationships with Lincoln Middle School, our mission partners, and CSU students.
OPTION 2
BUY LAND AND BUILD
Land in Northern Colorado comes at a premium, and the size of land we would need is typically only available on the outskirts of town. This option would provide more freedom when it comes to building design.
Using standard church size guidelines, we are looking for a building no smaller than 50,000 square feet. We are open to whatever option presents itself and how God leads us.
“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”
Habakkuk 3:2
How to get involved:
PRAY
• Humbly seek God’s will and blessing and ask for his provision for our church.
• Diligently ask God to move in Northern Colorado and for his Spirit to lead us as we pursue a permanent home.
• Willingly ask God what he wants you to contribute financially.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Heavenly Father,
Your name and your renown are the desires of our hearts. Thank you, God, for all you’ve done in and through our house for the past 11 years. Thank you for what you’re doing now and what is yet to come! We give you praise for every person who has experienced new life in you. We thank you for every heart healed, every family restored, every person served, every story redeemed, every child dedicated, and every single miracle – seen and unseen. Lord, pour out wisdom from heaven to guide our steps, provide in every way needed, and unify hearts for your will to be done in and through us. Please do immeasurably more than we could ask, think, or even imagine. Father, enlarge our hearts. Spirit, expand our vision. Jesus, establish your Kingdom among us, so that Mill City Church is a bright light in Northern Colorado. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
SERVE
• Lead the way by carrying the vision for SO THAT… in a hopeful and positive manner in your conversations.
• Engage others who may be interested in making an eternal impact with us. There may be people you know waiting for an opportunity just like this.
• Join a SO THAT… team, so we can faithfully carry this together as a church family.
GIVE
• Make a pledge to give a specific amount over the next three years during our Commitment Sunday on April 30.
• Donate a non-cash asset (investments, crypto, real estate, personal property, etc.).
• Contribute a significant one-time gift.
This will take all of us, so we hope for 100% participation. We are asking our church family to contribute to SO THAT… above and beyond their regular 10% tithe to ensure we serve our church and neighbors well through our three-year giving initiative.
For more information on serving and giving, please email SoThat@millcitychurch.org.
Commitment Sunday
Sunday, April 30
Commitment Sunday, April 30th, is a day set apart for us to take the next step toward God’s vision for Mill City Church together. At the end of the gatherings, we will take time to fill out a commitment card privately indicating what we’ve decided to give, over and above our regular giving, for the next three years and give a Kick-Off Offering.
Visit the events page for additional SO THAT… events.
FAQS
Here are some frequently asked questions about SO THAT...
FAQS
Let's get you up to speed. Here are some FAQs about SO THAT.
Commitment Sunday, April 30th, is a day set apart for us to take the next step toward God’s vision for Mill City Church together. At the end of the gatherings, we will take time to fill out a commitment card indicating what we’ve decided to give, over and above our regular giving, for the next three years and give a Kick-Off Offering.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your harvest… ” Proverbs 3:9
Scripture encourages God’s people to bring the first and best of their resources as an offering to the Lord. A Kick- Off Offering is an opportunity to bring our most significant gift possible toward our identified three-year commitment.
Kick-Off Offerings and commitment cards can be turned in before or after Commitment Sunday if you are unable to attend a gathering.
All giving to SO THAT… should be above and beyond your tithe or regular giving. This will help ensure that we are able to continue to serve our church family and those in need well throughout the giving initiative.
Should we exceed our initial goal over the next three years, all additional funds will be directed toward purchasing or renovating a permanent home.
Though we would love to be able to purchase a permanent home without debt, we are willing to take on a loan. Our bylaws limit the amount of money spent on facility costs, including a loan payment, to a maximum of 35% of the monthly income of the church.
All giving to Mill City Church is confidential, including giving to the SO THAT… campaign.
Commitments can be changed if necessary, allowing you to either increase or decrease your commitment as needed.
Giving can be set up online here.
This will take all of us, and no gift is too large or too small. Take time to prayerfully consider what God would have you give over the next three years. Perhaps this will be one of your most sacrificial gifts ever.
If you have other questions, please email SoThat@millcitychurch.org
Give
Ready to make a commitment?
This will take all of us, and no gift is too large or too small. Take time to ask God what he would have you give to SO THAT…
Creative Giving Strategies
Deciding what and how much to give is a choice between you, God, and your family. Everything belongs to God, and he wants us to use wisely what he has given to us. Prayerfully consider what God would have you give. Our hope is that everyone participates in giving to SO THAT…
The following list may generate some creative ideas for giving:
Transfer ownership of stocks, bonds, real estate, automobiles, etc. Giving an asset to the church and allowing the church to sell it eliminates potential capital gains taxes and can increase the after-tax proceeds, providing significant tax savings.
Gift proceeds from the sale of major assets such as a house, car, land, or business.
Donate raises, bonuses, tax refunds, etc.
Contribute extra money made available by canceling subscriptions, skipping frequent trips for coffee, or scaling back on entertainment and dining out.
Give profits from marketable hobbies or skills, garage sales, or items sold on Facebook Marketplace.
Redirect additional revenue as debt is paid off.
Ask employer if they’ll match donations to local non-profits.