1. Playground

Let’s start with something joyful: a new playground. It’s not just about slides and swings during tailgates. It’s a place where laughter rings out, where friendships are formed, where safety and joy meet throughout the week as well. We pray this playground becomes a magnet for families, a visual reminder that children matter deeply to this church.

2. LED House & 3. Platform Lights

Regarding the LED House Lights: This project is about being able to see in the sanctuary. We can no longer purchase bulbs and there are no drop-in LED replacement bulbs that are bright enough and work with our dimming system. Therefore, we are going to replace the fixtures in the same locations with full color LED units that are more than twice as bright (although we will gradually increase it so you can get used to it). Full color fixtures will also allow us to tune the "white" light to what we desire for the mood of the service or event. Each fixture will be capable of individual control which will also allow for some creative use of light and color in the room to enhance worship and other events.

4. ABF Rooms Above the Gym Kitchen

We’re also building out (2) Adult Bible Fellowship rooms above the gym kitchen. I’d like to mention, here, that this second floor (then offices) idea was part of the original design that is now being realized with actual purpose in mind. These rooms will serve as critical spaces for discipleship, small groups, and Sunday classes. They reflect our commitment to deepening our faith—May these rooms become places of transformation.

5. LED Fluorescent Replacement (294 units)

We’d like to replace close to 300 fluorescent fixtures with LED alternatives but some of the same reasons already mentioned during the House and Platform Lights section.

6. Bottle Filling Stations (2)

Hydration meets hospitality, as it were! This will serve as a nice upgrade from our current system.

7. Metal Siding Repairs (Bird Holes)

As was just recently done for the bird holes above the Sanctuary, we’d like to repair the damage done over the CE wing of the building.

8. Dual Projection System

To enhance our worship and teaching capabilities, we’re adding a dual projection system in the sanctuary. This means better visibility from all angles, clearer presentations, and a more immersive worship environment. This helps us engage visually while keeping focus on the message.

The single big screen in the middle of the platform takes a long time to go up and down (affecting the pace of the service/event) and is at an uncomfortable angle, especially for the rows closer to the platform. This project will provide video capabilities where the current light boxes are, opening up the platform visually while also making it more comfortable to view. At this time, we are thinking projection instead of a video wall, but the decision will be made by the time the project gets started.

9. Basement Paint

The basement needs to be refreshed a bit. A new coat of paint can do wonders—not just aesthetically but emotionally. When our facilities look cared for, it communicates a tending to, a hospitality, and a connection with a place.

10. Gym Loft Curtain

We’re also installing a curtain in the gym (this or these would go immediately above the two classrooms). This curtain will allow us to divide the space as needed for and from various activities.

11. Gym Acoustical Treatment

The need to improve the acoustics of our gymnasium is particularly felt during family breakfasts, luncheons and indoor tailgates. Our hope here is to find a solution that would dramatically reduce the echo and improve the overall usability of the space for events, sports, and outreach.

12. Gym Video Projector & 13. Control Systems

There are numerous events in the gym that need high quality video. Unfortunately, the portable projector doesn't quite have the brightness to fill the screen. The screen is also in a risky location given all of the events in the room with flying objects (it's a wonder it hasn't been damaged already). It should be replaced with a similar size screen that can be retracted.

Along with video, there is usually audio, and for many people getting it all to work right is a “dark art”, if you will. This project seeks to provide basic AV connections and control for plug-and-play use by the average human being for a variety of events (fellowship dinners, special needs movies, children's Sunday school music, or louder music for Youth Group and Basketball). Here, we may end up recycling the projector from the Sanctuary and bringing it into this space.

14. Gym Scoreboard

This isn’t just about keeping score - it’s about building a sense of excitement and community during sports ministry events, youth nights, and more. We are still researching multiple solutions to meet this goal, be it an actual scoreboard or perhaps projecting an app interface onto our projector. More to come here!

15. Lobby Refresh

This effort is all about first impressions. About people walking through the door and sensing, “I belong here.” Hospitality is a spiritual discipline, and our lobby should reflect the warmth of Christ.

16. Sanctuary Carpeting

Our sanctuary carpeting has served us well, but it’s showing its age. Replacing it will improve appearance and comfort, while reinforcing that we recognize the sacredness of our worship space.

For questions about Project Illuminate, contact Eric Eggan or the church office.