Dear Connect Family,

 

Five years ago, our leadership team gathered in prayer and stepped into a bold Five-Year Vision. We believed God was calling us to establish a permanent home for Connect Church and Connect Christian Academy, a place where generations are shaped by the Gospel and sent into neighborhoods and the nations to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

Since that moment, the Lord has moved in ways that leave us in awe. Our church family has grown, and even more importantly, we have witnessed hundreds of salvations and baptisms. I am deeply grateful that God gave our leadership the foresight to prepare for the harvest we are experiencing today.

 

Looking Back: A Foundation of Faithfulness

 

When we reflect on what God has done through your faithful generosity, it is nothing short of miraculous. Psalm 118:23 reminds us, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.” Here is how He has led us:

 

• Vision Launched (Fall 2021): We began with one clear focus: “That the generations may know Him.” – Psalm 78.

 

• Land Purchased (2023): After two years of prayer, pursuit, and negotiations across multiple properties, God providentially opened the door for 26 acres on Veterans Blvd. Through your generosity, we paid nearly $2.5 million in full, completely debt-free. The timing was perfect. The land became available in year two of our campaign, and by God’s provision, we had every dollar needed at the moment it became available.

 

• Preparing the Ground (2024): We invested nearly $1 million in grading and site preparation, literally leveling the ground and preparing the way for what is to come. Again, through the Lord’s providence and your faithfulness in giving, we were able to grade our site debt-free.

 

• Master Planning with Space Design (2024–2025): We partnered with Space Design to develop a comprehensive Master Plan for Connect Church and the Academy, mapping out not just a building, but a future.

 

• Expanding the Vision (Post-Easter 2025): As attendance surged, we revisited those plans and expanded the auditorium to accommodate the growth God is sending. This required additional time, but it was a necessary step to ensure longevity and sustainability for decades ahead.

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• Architectural & Engineering Partnership with MBI (2025–2026): We have now officially partnered with MBI for full architectural design and engineering services. This moves us from vision and planning into detailed execution. 

 

Every step has been marked by God’s perfect timing, His providence and your faithful obedience.

 

The Heart of the Vision

 

From the beginning, this was never meant to be a One-year, Two-year, or Three-year Vision. We knew it would take time, growth and provision for our church to execute a building project and to sustain a new home, financially. 

 

If the journey has felt long, just look at what God has done. In January 2021, the year we launched our vision, we averaged 348 people. Today, we are seeing between 1,300 and 1,500 each Sunday; a growth of over 300%.

 

We have not been waiting.

We have been building.

Spiritually. Structurally. Financially.

 

And now, we are standing at the threshold of the vision.

 

The Path Ahead

 

This past week, our trustees, Mike Smelcer, Jeff Murrell, and Steve Glayon, officially signed the contract with MBI for full architectural and engineering services. This is a massive milestone in the life of our church.

 

Over the next six months, MBI will finalize detailed blueprints and all technical deliverables needed for construction. This positions us to potentially break ground by the end of this year. While we have not yet reached the full financial goal, I am more encouraged than ever. Over the next six months, I am committing to a season of focused prayer and strategic partnership to close the Vision Gap that now exists.

 

Our goal is to reach 50%-60% of total construction costs before breaking ground. This foundation will allow us to use the 18-to-24-month construction phase to secure the remaining funds, positioning us to move into our new home as debt-free as possible. To move from blueprints to breaking ground, we must close a multi-million dollar Vision Gap. This is a defining six-month window, and I am inviting you to step into it with us.

 

I’m asking the Lord to mark Christmas Day, December 25, 2026, as the day we break ground. Would you stand with me in prayer for that? Let’s build this together, family.

 

Join Us in Prayer

 

The work ahead is significant, but we do not labor alone. We move forward with the favor of the Lord and the faithful generosity of His people, the church. I want to personally invite you to cover our land and vision in prayer.

 

We are now entering an exciting phase of this five-year journey. We need to Close the Gap and to build our new home: thank you for walking this road with us. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your generosity. I love you Connect Church!

 

The best is yet to come!

 

Please join me in prayer that we will break ground by the end of 2026!

 

In Christ and so that the generations may know Him,

P. Anthony Kendall