ReFocus
A Strategy to lead our church into spiritual renewal & health for generations to come.
WE EXIST TO HELP PEOPLE FIND NEW LIFE IN JESUS
Dear Ashburn Family,
You are a resilient, amazing, Jesus-loving people! You have allowed me space and grace over the last two years as we navigated the transition of pastoral leadership. You have risen to the challenges of a global pandemic while continuing to press into our mission with perseverance. You followed God’s vision to relaunch our Chicago English campus as well as launching our Arabic ministry at our Orland campus. All of this in the last two years! To God be the glory!
These decisions have led us into a new season of growth across all of our congregations, and I truly believe God is just getting started. As you read through this booklet, I pray that God’s passion for spiritual renewal will become our passion for spiritual renewal in our church.
In these pages, you will find a straight-forward strategy to guide our church into a bright future of Gospel ministry for generations to come. As you read, pray and ask God how you can help our church take BIG STRIDES for the kingdom of God as we REFOCUS.
Dr. Tommy Thompson, Lead Pastor
WHAT IS REFOCUS?
PART 1: REVITALIZING OUR CHURCH
ReFocus is a six-step church renewal training process that provides pastors with the tools to assess their church and to restore vibrancy, purpose, and health to their ministry. We will assess the current state of the ministry, consider how to position it for maximum impact, develop all the directional aspects of ministry, create a custom plan for disciple making, tailor a leadership development strategy, and build a custom plan for implementation.
PART 2: RESTORING OUR FACILITIES
Both of our ministry campuses need serious repairs and renovations to ensure safety and enable functional ministry. There have been no major renovations to either campus since they were originally built, and we have never replaced the original equipment at either campus. All of our air conditioning and heating systems are well past their lifespan and many are in disrepair. All of our restrooms are in desperate need of renovations, and many of our classroom spaces need to be brought up to date.
PART ONE
REVITALIZING OUR CHURCH
ReFocus: a 6-step church renewal process.
This six-step church renewal training process will be led by the Church Health team from Illinois Baptist State Association over the next six months, and will culminate with a customized 5-year leadership development strategy for implementation.
THE DISCOVERY
A multi-step approach designed to synthesize data and discoveries, helping pastors to accurately evaluate the current state of the church.
THE CONVERGENCE
A “sweet spot” exercise considering church purpose, leadership passion, and community potential; designed to identify where to position the church’s ministry for maximum impact.
THE PYRAMID
An in-depth series of exercises designed to develop all of the directional elements for the church: including mission, strategy, values, vision, annual plans, and goals.
THE PATH
A process that helps develop a customized plan for evangelism and discipleship.
THE LADDER
Creation of a customized, multi-level plan for leadership development using a four-fold framework: character, competency, chemistry, and concern for the mission.
THE TOOLKIT
Practical resources and ideas to help pastors and church leaders launch the new vision and build momentum toward its fulfillment.
PART TWO
RESTORING OUR FACILITIES
THE NEED
Over the last several months, our leadership has identified numerous immediate needs at both of our ministry campuses that require serious repairs and renovations to ensure safety functionality for our ministry. There have been no major renovations to either campus since they were originally built resulting in several high-needs, dilapidated areas within our buildings. This deferred maintenance has created too great of a demand to try and chip away year after year within our normal budget. This requires BOLD FAITH and BIG STRIDES! We believe that our ReFocus generosity campaign will address these requirements and enable us to continue fulfilling our mission.
OUR VISION
The vision of Ashburn is to help people find new life in Jesus. We believe that God has given us a plan to address our needs and allow us to continue helping people KNOW God, GROW in their faith, and GO and make a difference in the lives of others. God has blessed us with amazing properties and our desire is to be wise stewards of these blessings by addressing these essential needs.
ESSENTIAL NEEDS
CHICAGO CAMPUS
- $30,000: Replace cooling & heating systems
- $20,000: Restroom renovations
- $10,000: Repairs to ceilings damaged by water leaks
- $15,000: Replace damaged flooring
- $15,000: Classroom renovations
- $20,000: Provide classroom equipment
ORLAND PARK CAMPUS
- $60,000: Replace cooling & heating systems
- $40,000: Restroom renovations
- $20,000: Repair damaged roof & ceilings
- $40,000: Replace damaged flooring
- $15,000: Classroom renovations
- $10,000: Provide classroom equipment
*This is a short list of our top priorities. Costs are based on rough estimates.
OUR GOAL
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…” Ephesians 3:20
EXCEEDING – $120,000.00
ABUNDANT – $240,000.00
ABOVE – $360,000.00
God is offering us, as a church family, an opportunity to sacrifice to see others experience the life change that can only come through knowing Jesus. It will require that each of us seriously reflect upon the particular role God intends for us to play in this effort. Will you see beyond yourself in order to make a difference for Eternity?
We are asking our church family to give sacrificially over the next 12 months to raise the capital necessary to fund these essential needs. Our goal is for at least 100 families to give $100 per month for the next 12 months to reach an ultimate exceeding goal of $120,000. Our abundant goal is $240,000, and our above goal is $360,000.
VISION GATHERINGS
November 14: ReFocus Launch Sunday
On this Sunday, we will share the vision for ReFocus, a strategy to lead our church toward spiritual renewal and health for the generations to come.
December 1, 7, & 8: Vision Gatherings
Vision gatherings are small meetings where all your questions about the ReFocus campaign can be answered.
- Dec 1: Chicago, English & Spanish @ 7pm
- Dec 7: Orland Park, Arabic @ 8pm
- Dec 8: Orland Park, English @ 8pm
December 12, 2021: Generosity Sunday
Join us for this exciting day of worship, as we share our commitments to the ReFocus generosity campaign.
January 23, 2022: Celebration Sunday
Join us as we praise and worship God on this special day as we celebrate commitments to the ReFocus generosity campaign.
GIVING GUIDE
Maybe you think you have little capacity to make a difference. However, as you can see by the gift guide below, it all adds up. Even a small, but faithful, gift is a substantial contribution over the one-year generosity campaign.
MONTHLY X 12 MONTHS X 100 FAMILIES
$100 $1200 $120,000.00
$200 $2400 $240,000.00
$300 $3600 $360,000.00
We will distribute commitment cards on Generosity Sunday, December 12, 2021.
HOW YOU CAN HAVE A PART IN GOD'S VISION
PARTICIPATE: Participate in the campaign events and meetings. Make a commitment to learn as much as you can about the campaign and the vision it will help us realize.
SACRIFICE: Give sacrificially. We will only achieve the vision God has granted us through faith and sacrifice. We have the privilege of being a part of growing His Kingdom in an exciting way!
“I believe that our sacrifices NOW are the building blocks of Ashburn’s FUTURE! Let’s make BIG STRIDES for the kingdom of God together!”
Dr. Tommy Thompson
ReFocus
A STRATEGY TO LEAD OUR CHURCH INTO SPIRITUAL RENEWAL & HEALTH FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.