deeply rooted.

Renew Communities exists to see whole communities renewed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ by teaching people to practice the ways of Jesus so they can teach others to do the same.

The focus for our church in 2022 is “Deeper Roots.” We sense God calling us into a deeper relationship with Him, a deeper understanding of who He has called us to be individually and collectively, a deeper commitment to the community He has placed us in, and a deeper love for our neighbors, families, friends, each other and even ourselves.

As we look to the next decade of ministry, we sense God calling us to be deeply rooted. To do that, we will sign a new ten-year lease that will give our church 6,200 additional square feet.

In 2011 we started Renew Communities out of a deep-rooted desire to see whole communities Renewed by the Gospel. Our great hope was that we could help reframe how people thought of church. Church is not a building, service, or organization. Church is the people of God on mission together. Over the years, we have seen people who have followed Jesus for years renewed by this vision of church on mission, and many people who didn’t know God at all gave their life to Jesus and began to live on mission as well!

The first place we held worship gatherings was in a vocational school “cafetorium.” Five years later, we moved into a refurbished Hollywood Video store. Over the years, more and more people have joined us as we seek to be the church where we live, work, learn and play. On a typical Sunday, we currently have as many kids as we’ve ever had joining us and more middle school and high school students than ever before. 

The reality is we need more space to make room for more people to join us as we celebrate God’s work, learn to practice the ways of Jesus together, and are sent back out to live as everyday missionaries.

We have known for a long time that Renew Communities is at its best when it is a sending center for Kingdom Innovation. So as we expand into an old tanning salon, video game shop, and jewelry store, it’s not about the building. It’s not about getting more people into the building either. It’s about equipping more people for the mission God’s called them to, whether to lead a new MicroChurch, start a new church or live on mission every day in their neighborhood, workplace, school, or wherever else God calls them.

What we’re adding.

We are expanding our facility by 6,200 square feet (from 9,000 to 15,200), adding three additional classrooms and an additional 150+ seats (from 330 to 480) in our auditorium. This expansion will provide a massive 2,000 square foot space for youth and kids, greater lobby space, a dedicated kids hallway with children’s bathrooms, and a 24/7 prayer room open to the broader community. We will also have more common area for connecting before and after services and space for adult classes and meetings on Sundays.

Why we’re adding now.

At the end of 2019, we began to explore the opportunity for more space as our church was growing. These plans were put on hold throughout the last two years as we navigated the difficulties of a global pandemic, not knowing what in-person worship attendance would look like for us. We have seen a strong return and many new individuals and families joining us over the last six months. We are again feeling the need for more space in our worship gatherings, kids ministry classes, and youth ministry gatherings. We always want to be sure there is room for anyone who wants to join us!

We have done our best to make our current facilities work for us in functional ways, but as our kids and youth ministry continue to grow, we want our kids and students to know they matter to us, and we are intentionally making room for them! Our two 1,000 sqft classrooms can be opened into one mega-room that will be used for youth ministry and other midsized gatherings. These rooms will be specifically designed for use with high ceilings and enough space for games and activities to make kids and students feel like this is their church too!

We are growing as a church and intentionally investing in the next generation because we aren’t just interested in what God is doing now. We are passionate about what God wants to do in our city, country, and our world in the future! This expansion gives us the space we need to train those God will send over the next decade.

Project Cost

After consulting with architects and developers, we estimate the project will cost between $500,000 and $600,000. This estimate includes design, planning, demolition, construction, furnishings, and upgrades. Our goal is also to have enough funding to cover the difference in cost between our current rent and our expanded rent for the first year.

Our fundraising goal is $600,000.

If God provides more than we need for this project, all additional funds will be used to start a church planting residency and invest in new churches throughout the greater Cleveland area.

Ways to give.

Check or Cash
Checks can be made payable to Renew Communities with Deeply Rooted Fund in the memo line.

Electronically
You can make one time or recurring donations and cryptocurrency donations at renewcommunities.com/give. Please select the Deeply Rooted Fund. Click here to give electronically.

Stock Transfer
Stock can be directly donated to Renew Communities brokerage account. Renew sells the stock and applies the funds to the Deeply Rooted Fund.

Assets
For other asset donation possibilities, please email give@renewcommunities.com.

Commitment Sunday.

Join us Sunday, May 15th for our Commitment Sunday. Pray, plan, discuss and bring your commitment card as we celebrate together what God has invited us to next!

What is the Deeply Rooted Project?
The Deeply Rooted Project is the expansion and renovation of Renew Communities that will provide three additional classrooms, 150+ additional seats in our auditorium, a large multipurpose classroom that can be used for Renew Kids and Youth ministry events, and more common space for connection before and after worship gatherings.

How long will the project take to complete?
The Deeply Rooted Project will take place in two phases. The first phase will be the build-out of new classrooms and new restrooms in the three adjacent spaces to the east of Renew. The second phase will include the removal of two existing classrooms and the expansion of our auditorium. It is our hope that the first phase will be completed by Christmas and that the entire project will be completed by Easter 2023!

Why are we expanding our facility now?
We sensed that God would provide the opportunity to move into the two adjacent spaces more than two years ago, but the pandemic halted this plan. Last April, the third space became available, and as we have seen people returning and new people joining, we are in need of new space for our next generation and the new people God will connect to our community.

How much will this project cost?
After consulting with architects and developers, we estimate the project will cost between $500,000 and $600,000. It is our long-standing belief that we should make the most of the money we have been blessed with, and we will continue to do that with this project. If God provides more than we need for this project, all additional funds will be used to start a church planting residency and invest in new churches throughout the greater Cleveland area.

Andy Sikora, Lead Pastor