RiseTogether P L A N T I N G O U R P R E S E N C E I N T H I S C I T Y
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The Story of Rise When we planted Rise City Church in March of 2014, we saw a huge need for a strengthened church presence in the East County. Very few Gospel-centered churches in our area were experiencing growth. Families and individuals who were once connected to a local church were either traveling to the heart of Portland for church or completely disconnected altogether. We believed this was a problem. A strong church presence has a huge impact on the cultural health of a community. Families are strengthened, children are invested in, leaders are developed, morals are reinforced, and teachings like “love your neighbor” are lived out. All throughout the Scriptures, we see God’s care and love for people in all areas of the world, down to the very cities in which they live. So a group of 40 people gathered together to pour their time, resources, experience, passion, and skill into a church that would lead to the good of our city. We knew we wanted this church to be a Gospel-centered influence in our city, but we just didn’t know how we would get there. Trusting God, we took the first step and opened the doors of the Fairview Community Center on March 3, 2014.
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Since we’ve launched, we have become clear on our strategy for reaching our city with the Gospel of Jesus. First, like Jesus with His disciples, we invest in raising up men and women who will lead this church and city into a brighter future. We spend countless hours and resources developing leaders and influencers. This church is not a platform for one gifted individual to gain influence by gathering a crowd—this church is raising up an army equipped with the transforming power of God’s love. Second, in order to see a true impact and transformation in our city, we need the mission of Jesus to be saturated all over the city. Church is not merely a weekly gathering for religious practice, church is a people whose hearts are on fire with a purpose greater than themselves. And this purpose seeps into all areas of their lives and neighborhoods. This is why we’ve seen the impact of Rise spread far beyond our Sunday night gatherings and into the coffee shops, schools, streets, parks, and libraries of our city—into the everyday spaces of our lives. Six months after launch, we could no longer fit in the community center and needed to find a larger space to gather. We have been renting from Mountainview Church in Gresham since then but are bursting at the seams once again. Since late 2016 we've been formulating a strategy for acquiring our own facility to gather, develop, and send people out. A place to raise up leaders and send out disciples for the purpose of Gospel saturation. The document you hold in your hands lays out that strategy.
CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE A COMMUNITY RADICALLY COMMITTED TO THE GOOD OF THEIR CITY AS A WHOLE. IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR CHRISTIANS TO FORM A CULTURE THAT MERELY “COUNTERS” THE VALUES OF THE CITY. WE MUST ALSO COMMIT, WITH ALL THE RESOURCES OF OUR FAITH AND LIFE, TO SERVE SACRIFICIALLY THE GOOD OF THE WHOLE CITY.
Timothy Keller
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The Growth of Rise 2014
84 PEOPLE KIDS + ADULTS
20 15
121 PEOPLE KIDS + ADULTS
2 01 6
177 PEOPLE KIDS + ADULTS
2017
295 PEOPLE KIDS + ADULTS
FOUR MARKS OF LONG-TERM HEALTH
LONG-TERM LEADERSHIP
CONVERSION GROWTH
The four families who planted Rise all have roots planted
While many people at our church have come to Rise after past
deep in this city. There is a strong culture of unity and high
church experiences, a large percentage has come with little to
commitment level to Rise for the long-haul. Over the last
no church background. Since inception, Rise has baptized 48
three years, they have shown a strong commitment to
people. This is an indication of the way the Gospel is changing
investing in and developing leaders beyond themselves.
hearts and not just church members changing buildings.
74% OF
ALL ADULTS
SERVE
SHARED OWNERSHIP
68% OF
ALL ADULTS
GIVE
WIDE-SPREAD GENEROSITY
The people of Rise share the ownership over the mission
This church has experienced and displayed wide-spread
and vision of this church. This is displayed through the high
generosity since day one. Most church plants have a five year
number of volunteers (150+), the constant invitations (most
goal of being financially self-sustaining; Rise has been funded
visitors were invited by a friend), and significant number of
internally since the beginning. This is made possible because a
key leaders (22 Team Leads & 22 City Group Leaders).
majority of the adults at Rise give consistently and generously.
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Future Facility Vision Our city is a city on the rise. We believe that through the people of Jesus in His local church, Jesus is bringing Gospel transformation to this city. Rise has a huge part to play in all of this. But this is not a short-term endeavor—this is about the long haul. And if we want to continue to grow in influence for the coming years, to sustain a Gospel impact for the coming decades—we need to establish ourselves as a stable presence in our community. In order to do this more effectively, the time has come to acquire a 24/7 facility for Rise. We believe this is a bold and crucial step into Rise's future for the following four reasons:
01 MISSION This facility will not exist to make us more comfortable or to make life easier—the facility is for the purpose of furthering the mission of Jesus. This will be a central gathering place, a base camp for us to gather in order to scatter. We want a place for training, a place for mobilizing, a place for equipping our saints for the work of ministry. Having a place to call home allows us a place to fuel up, rest up, and train up for the work ahead of making disciples for Jesus in our city.
02 INFLUENCE As we seek to saturate our city with the Gospel, we will need to constantly open up new on-ramps for people to join the mission of Jesus in our city. A huge part of this will be having the flexibility to add service times and events as Jesus leads and the needs present themselves. We do not currently have that ability and it will eventually limit our potential influence for the Gospel. We want to have a strong, Jesus-centered influence in our city, including many times and days, without the restrictions that come with working around building availability.
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03 IDENTITY Acquiring a facility allows us to express our unique identity. Rise has a strong culture, one you can feel as soon as you walk into the room of any gathering of our people. This is because our culture is a reflection of the unique identity Jesus is forming within this church. With great intentionality, we want to be true to this identity that Jesus is forming—so that every song we sing, every room we design, every event we hold declares the truth about who Jesus is and who we are as His people. Having our own facility will better allow us to reveal our unique God-given identity in a clear, compelling, and undeniable way.
04 PRESENCE Lastly, acquiring a 24/7 facility gives us a landmark presence in our city—a place where people know we exist. We want every person in our city to know Rise exists and where to come join us. It tells people we are here for the long haul and intend to be a stable presence in our community for many years to come.
Rise has a strong calling to raise up disciples who will declare, display, and live out the Gospel in our city. It’s time for our church to have a place to call home that expresses our unique identity and culture. We know there is a need to continue to open our front door wider to all who enter. We desire a place to gather and train disciples for the work of the Kingdom. And we want everyone to know that the church of Jesus is alive and is here for the long haul. May we rise together to God’s glory, our joy, and the good of our city.
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Rise Together Key Dates
R
SE P T
10
SE P T
22 OCT
01 OCT
15 OCT
29
NEHEMIAH SERIES STARTS SUNDAY, SEPT 10TH 4PM & 6PM
ALL CHURCH PRAYER NIGHT JOIN US AS WE PRAY FOR THE FUTURE
RISE TOGETHER LAUNCH NIGHT JOIN US FOR THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN
COMMITMENT SUNDAY WE WILL GATHER AS A CHURCH FAMILY TO BRING OUR CASH-GIFTS AND TWO-YEAR PLEDGES FOR FUNDING RISE TOGETHER
VICTORY SUNDAY THIS NIGHT WILL BE A GIANT ALL-CHURCH PARTY CELEBRATING WHAT GOD HAS DONE & REVEALING WHAT WE’VE RAISED TOGETHER
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
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Pray Together
We have four prayer focuses for the Rise Together Campaign. This whole process is in the hands of an almighty God. "We come to God not because we are helpless, but because He is Almighty." - Oswald Chambers. So we ask during the duration of this campaign that you would join together with us as we focus on the following prayers:
Pray for a Uniting Movement
Pray this is a Guided Journey
Pray that this campaign, this vision for us to Rise Together
Pray that God would guide and direct us every step of the
and plant a presence in our city would deeply unite our
way. Pray that we would listen to His timing. It’s amazing to
church. God is able to use the work and sacrifice that will
think that God knows exactly where this process will lead our
go into this season for Rise to make us one as we follow His
church. But this journey has to be guided by Him. “Unless
lead into the future. Pray against any of us having a critical
the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
spirit and ask that our faith be strengthened.
Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” Psalm 127:1
Pray for Awe-Inducing Provision We’ve set lofty goals and compelling vision for the future of our church in this city. We don’t believe these to be small dreams cast by human minds, but a big vision cast by an almighty God. Pray that God would fill us with awe as we watch Him move in our city through the generosity of His people. Pray that He would provide all we need for all He is calling us to. That we would be so blown away with His goodness and provision, that we can’t help but give Jesus all the praise and all the glory.
Pray this is City Transforming This is a vision-driven campaign, meaning we are investing in the future impact this church will have, not just trying to acquire a particular property. Our prayer is not merely that this process would transform our church, but its effects will ripple outward to our entire city. Pray that people would experience the Gospel’s transformative, renewing power as a direct result of what God is doing in and through us as we Rise together. That people would look at the community we live in and say, “This is a city on the rise!” to the Glory of Jesus.
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Campaign Goals Financial Goal
$500K
Involvement Goal
Spiritual Goal
100%
DISCIPLES
Our financial goal for the Rise Together
We are not just rising, we are rising
Rise Together isn't merely about getting into
campaign is to raise $500,000. With funds
together. This is about all of us doing
a facility or raising money, it's about learning
in hand and a continued stream over the
something greater than any one of us
to be a people who obey, follow, love, and
next two years, we will have the assets
could accomplish on our own. So our
trust Jesus as we model sacrificial giving.
needed to make a move when God brings
goal is that every member of Rise would
the right opportunity before us.Â
participate financially.
KING DAVID REPLIED, "NO, I INSIST ON PAYING YOU FOR IT. I WILL NOT SACRIFICE TO THE LORD MY GOD BURNT OFFERINGS THAT COST ME NOTHING."
2 Samuel 24:24
HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT TO GIVE? First
PRAY
Next
DISCUSS
Lastly
COMMIT
Pray and ask God for clarity on how much
Speak with your fellow believers; discuss your
Finally, once you've spent ample time in
you can and should give. So often we start
concerns, your fears, and your excitement about
prayer, discussing the campaign and what
with our finances, but God wants you to
the campaign. Ask the leaders of Rise about the
you might give, come ready on October 15th
start this with asking and trusting Him.
process and financial stewardship, and why it is
to make your initial donation and two-year
Spend significant time in prayer before you
so important in your walk with Jesus.
commitment.
make any decisions about what you will give.
Seek wisdom and ask questions.
"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 PAGE 08
Give Together
Our financial goal for the Rise Together campaign is to raise $500,000. These funds will allow us to take forward steps as we continue to seek and pray for our next home. With funds in hand and a continued stream over the next two years, we will have the assets needed to make a move when God brings the right opportunity before us. In order for this to be possible, we have to do this together. We will need each individual and family to make a special commitment in addition to their regular giving in order to reach our goals. We are asking our church to give in two movements: An upfront one-time gift and a consistent monthly contribution for the next 24 months. The initial gift will be made on October 15th and the monthly contributions will begin in November 2017. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW GIVING MIGHT LOOK:
O N E-T I ME G I F T
$600 O N E-T I ME G I F T
$2,500 O N E-T I ME G I F T
$5,000
M O N T H LY GIFT
TOTAL GI F T
$39 X 24 = $936
PER MONTH
$1,536
MONTHS
M O N T H LY GIFT
TOTAL GI F T
$185 X 24 = $4,440
$6,940
M O N T H LY GIFT
TOTAL GI F T
PER MONTH
MONTHS
$400 X 24 = $9,600 PER MONTH
MONTHS
$14,600
GIFTS PROFILE
WAYS TO GIVE
In order to reach our financial goals for Rise Together, it is crucial that each and every one of us is involved. Every gift will not be the same but each gift is vital. The following is a projection of the kinds of gifts that are needed to reach our goal.
There are many ways you can give financially to the campaign. Rise is able to recieve bank transfers, checks, cash, credit cards, and debit cards.
NUMBER of GIFTS
AMOUNT
TOTAL
One
$100,000
$100,000
Two
$25,000
$50,000
Three
$15,000
$45,000
Eight
$10,000
$80,000
Fifteen
$5,000
$75,000
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD
Twenty
$3,500
$70,000
You can easily set up your 24 month gift to recur
Twenty-Five
$2,500
$62,500
Unknown
$2000 or less
$17,500
GRAND TOTAL
$500,000
BANK TRANSFER You can set up a recurring bank transfer for 24 months. The best part about this is that it costs Rise 0% in fees.
on the same day for the same amount each month.
LIKE-KIND DONATIONS Rise can accept other creative donations such
The above represents the total contributions of an individual to "Rise Together" including the one-time gift on Oct 15th and monthly giving over the following 24 months.
as property, stocks, or bonds.
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Common Campaign Questions Why do we need our own facility? Mountainview Church has been wonderful in letting us lease their extra space on Sunday nights. But every maturing church is like a maturing family, and there comes a time to move into a home of our own. As is talked about in the Vision on pages 04 and 05, having our own facility will better allow us to express our unique identity as a church, to have a wider influence through more availability and ministry opportunities, a home base to train and equip for mission, and a stronger, more visible presence in our city. Do we know where the location is yet? We do not have a specific place in mind but we have set some parameters. We want to get a facility that is at least 10,000 sq feet with ample parking. A facility that will allow us to have a 300+ person sanctuary, plenty of space for kids, an adequate entryway, bathrooms, kitchen, and hopefully a multi-use room and offices. We’ve also set location boundaries that can be seen on the map below. We’ll look at commercial and industrial spaces, old churches, and any other potential property that God may lay before us.
Why spend money on a facility instead of putting this money towards ministry? This is a ministry-focused investment. We believe acquiring a 24/7 facility will help us be more effective in our mission to make disciples for two primary reasons. First, it allows us to plant a long-term presence in our city. It communicates to both our church and the city around us that we are committed to long-term Gospel ministry in this community for the foreseeable future. Think food cart vs restaurant—both can serve great food, one of them has established its long-term presence. Secondly, we believe it will provide an infrastructure for more effective, wider-reaching ministry. Think battlefield medic vs building a general hospital—both can be effective, but one of them has a much higher impact and can help way more people.
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How will the funds be used and who will decide? Our goal of $500k gives us leverage in two different areas. First, it allows us resources for build-out and upgrades to whatever building we find. We will most likely have very different needs and city requirements that will cost money to renovate. On top of that, we will need to purchase furniture, children’s resources, and production equipment that we do not currently own. But this number will also allow us to offset the monthly increase that will come with a larger space. Our hope is to set apart 18-24 months of “rent relief” to make up for that increased monthly payment. Our Facility Team is made up of wise and experienced individuals from Rise who we believe can lead our church in the right direction through this process. We have a diverse team with many relevant backgrounds that go beyond the capacity of our church's leadership team. So the Facility Team will lead this process and guide these choices, with final decisions, approval, and oversight coming from the Rise Leadership Team. Turn the page to meet our Facility Team. Why are we having a separate campaign from general giving? It is important that all of this is separate from our general giving, so that we can continue to focus financial resources on the ministries of Rise. By doing a capital campaign, it allows us to make a huge change in facility without creating a competing financial focus that takes away from current ministry resources. It’s important to note that all funds given toward the Rise Together campaign are moved into a separate account dedicated to future facility costs, and will only be used for that purpose. How does this fit with our vision to rise up and saturate our city with the Gospel? The Rise Together campaign is about all of us together doing bigger and greater things than any one of us could possibly do on our own. We believe that being a part of this campaign will encourage all of us, challenge us, and deepen our faith in God as He richly provides more than we could ever ask or imagine. That is the beautiful part about campaigning toward a vision, not just a specific facility. But this also allows us to make a huge step towards Gospel saturation as we plant a deeper, more permanent presence in our city. I don’t have much money, how can I be a part of this? Rise Together is about ALL OF US contributing financially with whatever we are able to give. When Nehemiah led the Israelites in the rebuilding of the wall, not everyone contributed the same amount. The point wasn’t having everyone doing the same amount of work, the point was having everyone contribute what they could. We are doing everything we can to intentionally include our entire church in this process of raising the funds for a 24/7 facility—youth and children, young and old, rich and poor— all included. Seek the Lord, get creative, and contribute by building the section of the wall you’re called to build, and do so with joy! Have we saved any money yet? Yes! Rise opened up a separate facility account and started putting money away starting in July of 2016. We wanted to create a good habit of saving and show our commitment to the process. As of June 2017 we have just over $21,500 in that account. By the time most of you read this we will be over 5% of the way to our goal before the campaign even starts!
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ALEX
STOEHR
DAVE GREY
JASON
FEHLMAN
JARED
HARGENS
CORY
BURKET
JASON CLARKE
JARED FRIEND
JUSTIN OLSON
THE FACILITY TEAM Our Facility Team is made up of wise and experienced individuals from Rise who will lead our church in the right direction through this process. We have a diverse team with many relevant backgrounds that go beyond the capacity of our church's leadership team.
ALEX STOEHR
Alex is helping to consult on communication and strategy. She was very involved in a successful capital campaign in the past and brings invaluable perspective and experience.
DAVE GREY
Dave is leading the facility team through the entire process. Dave brings years of church leadership and business experience in the building trade.
JASON FEHLMAN
Jason owns a commercial construction company in the Portland area. It is such a benefit for our team to have his connections and knowledge.
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JARED HARGENS
Jared works as a professional excavator. He is a part of the group that is searching facility possibilities and meeting with our commercial realtor.
CORY BURKET
Cory is in charge of Corporate Operations at Black Rock Coffee. He brings his knowledge of opening new locations to the Rise Facility Team.
JASON CLARKE
Jason is the Lead Pastor at Rise and is involved in the communication and planning of this campaign.
JARED FRIEND
Jared oversees all production at Rise and is very involved in the day to day searching for potential facility space.
JUSTIN OLSON
Justin is the VP of Member Services at Trailhead Credit Union. He brings years of banking experience and wise financial management to our process.
SEAN ELROD
Sean (not pictured) is a professional electrician that works daily in the industry. He is a Team Lead and City Group Leader at Rise and is helping on the facility finding aspect of our team.
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