Hadley Township-Senior Pastor Richard Geigert of the Hadley Community Church has looked on a congregation of nearly 200 people for eight years. With hard work and prayer, he hopes that number will double.
Since last August, the community and members of the church began fund-raising for an addition to the church that will cost them approximately $3.2 million. The church is currently 1,700 square feet, at completion it will be 5,800 square feet.
‘Right now, we have room for 185 people. At Easter and other busy events, we can fit as many as 270 people in. When the addition is done, we will be able to fit nearly 400,? said Geigert.
Hull-Stevens from Swartz Creek is the architectural firm that designed the plans. Features included in the design are a full gym, a new kitchen, a baptismal font, more classrooms, more choir room and a larger sanctuary with a balcony included. The church and parking lot are currently on three acres, and will increase to 17 acres, allowing more room for the growing community.
In efforts to raise funds,the church hosted many events including Wild Wild West night, seed money and winter getaway. So far, the church has raised $171,000.
Church members were asked to dress in old western attire and donations were made in honor of the new facility. The winter getaway featured a night of skits and a mock vacation for those tired of the snow and ice.
‘We arranged the inside of the church to look like an airline terminal and an airplane. We went somewhere exotic, not sure where, but it was warm,? said Geigert.
During the seed money event, the congregation received either $5, $10, or $20 donations. They were asked to somehow double or triple the money such as bakesales, selling craft pieces or providing services.
‘We gave out $2,500 and from that raised nearly $7,000. In October, we will look at the total amount raised and determine how much time is needed to raise the rest.?
Geigert said many members of the church donate weekly on faith promises and have helped tremendously.
‘We would like the community to be aware that they are welcome. We knocked on almost 400 homes introducing ourselves trying to reach out. We would like to see more members get involved with the church.?