Beginning to Come into Focus

by Kristi Meyer

On one hand, there are still a number of questions at the time I am writing this article. And yet things are beginning to come into focus with our capital campaign and campus expansion project. So, as of May1, here’s where things currently sit with Declaring His Praises.

At this time, we’ve received Promise Sheets from 133 families totaling just over $1.400,000. One of our St. John’s families has also pledged the proceeds from a property sale (now in process), which we anticipate will allow us to exceed our Declaring His Praises goal of raising $2,500,000. We are grateful to all those who have pledged, and we give thanks to God for these pledges that allow us to take the next steps in our campus expansion project.

These next steps are also beginning to come into focus. At our May 9 congregational meeting, we discussed some of the details regarding various funding options, city of Wauwatosa approval, and questions regarding the parsonage. A recommendation on the final scope of the project is currently being determined by our Building Committee and Church Council. Our goal remains to proceed with expansions on both sides of the street, and—God willing—we hope to be able to break ground in late 2023. A final recommendation will be presented to the voters for their approval sometime during the month of June.

What we have always kept in focus, however, is the reason for this campus expansion. “These plans will allow us to carry out what is in our strategic plan— what we as a congregation said we wanted to accomplish,” says Pastor Joel Leyrer. “This is not a top-down mandate; it is a grass-roots effort driven by the strategic plan that every member of St. John’s had an opportunity to help with crafting.”A number of items on that strategic plan have already been accomplished, and this campus expansion will help us move toward accomplishing a number more.

Also certain is the proper focus this campus expansion necessitates, particularly the Early Learning Center (ELC) piece. Pastor Leyrer explains: “The goal of the ELC is to proclaim Jesus Christ to little ones and their families. We leave the results to the Holy Spirit. Increased church membership can be (and has been) a benefit and byproduct of this ministry, but that is not the goal of our ELC.”

And even if you aren’t able to make a monetary pledge Declaring His Praises financially at this time, we still encourage you to support the project. “Everyone knows their own situation, and we are not trying to guilt anyone into giving an offering,” says Pastor Leyrer. “We are asking our people to support this project especially through their prayers and encouragement—and to whatever degree they are able to support it financially.” May God bless that support as we continue to strive to carry out Gospel ministry to the best of our abilities!

Rendering of church

Rendering of school