HONORING THE PAST
This year we celebrate a remarkable milestone – 140 years of ministry. Our roots go back to 1884, as the very first church established in this city. Our predecessors built a church building the very same year it was founded. That eager faithfulness to get to work for God’s kingdom set in motion a tradition of one generation commending the mighty acts of God to another and another and another.
When we look at our church history, we see a legacy of people taking steps of faith, not being dismayed or discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Instead, pressing on in the face of adversity or trial. An entry in our church history, cataloguing an event in 1887, goes as follows, “The church building was destroyed by fire and immediately rebuilt.” Our priority has, and always will be, the preaching of God’s Word and the work of his kingdom, it’s in our DNA and we’ve seen it proven time and time again through the actions of our past generations.
In 1947 we expanded our facility with an education wing and offices. Our chapel was added in 1950 and is currently the large meeting room for our kid’s ministries. We gained a new parsonage in 1952. In 1996 we saw a complete remodel of our sanctuary. Always forward thinking, the purchase of the Mendocino property in 2008 provided us with a potential campus site directly in the path of the city’s current expansion plans. Most recently, in 2021, we developed a secondary playground in our side yard to provide a space for our toddlers to play.
Our property is maxed out, yet our community continues to grow. While our Mendocino property is positioned in a place Kingsburg is growing, building a new facility there, at this point in time, isn’t an feasible. However, it’s location ensures our church will continue to thrive and serve our community as God leads and directs us.
When we look at our church history, we see a legacy of people taking steps of faith, not being dismayed or discouraged when things don’t go as planned. Instead, pressing on in the face of adversity or trial. An entry in our church history, cataloguing an event in 1887, goes as follows, “The church building was destroyed by fire and immediately rebuilt.” Our priority has, and always will be, the preaching of God’s Word and the work of his kingdom, it’s in our DNA and we’ve seen it proven time and time again through the actions of our past generations.
In 1947 we expanded our facility with an education wing and offices. Our chapel was added in 1950 and is currently the large meeting room for our kid’s ministries. We gained a new parsonage in 1952. In 1996 we saw a complete remodel of our sanctuary. Always forward thinking, the purchase of the Mendocino property in 2008 provided us with a potential campus site directly in the path of the city’s current expansion plans. Most recently, in 2021, we developed a secondary playground in our side yard to provide a space for our toddlers to play.
Our property is maxed out, yet our community continues to grow. While our Mendocino property is positioned in a place Kingsburg is growing, building a new facility there, at this point in time, isn’t an feasible. However, it’s location ensures our church will continue to thrive and serve our community as God leads and directs us.
forging the future
We have been praying for a mid-term solution to meet our immediate needs and grow right where we are. By God’s grace, that solution has now been presented to us. The Smith St. expansion.
We’ve been entrusted with a legacy of faith and frontier, of our current facilities, and of continuing to expand the kingdom of God right here and abroad. As we come to this huge 140-year milestone, we have the opportunity to carry the torch forward in an exciting new chapter of KCC. And we couldn’t be more honored.
The Smith St. property is directly south of our current campus property line. The property includes 3 parcels. Two consist primarily of office space and meeting rooms. The third parcel is mostly an empty lot that we wish to clean up and renovate into a beautiful yard space for outdoor KCC events, youth activities, as well as community events, as soon as possible.
Our current facilities are at capacity on Wednesday nights and we lack adequate rooms for adult classes, children’s classes, junior high youth group, and yard space for games and activities. This expansion presents so many opportunities to, not only meet our current needs, but provide the breathing room necessary to grow our ministries and see God’s movement in our church for the future.
Imagine what stories we will be able to tell future generations because we took a step of faith. What will we be able to entrust to them? As our town grows, we have grown, and will continue to grow if we make space for it. So now we stand on the brink of another significant step forward.
We’ve been entrusted with a legacy of faith and frontier, of our current facilities, and of continuing to expand the kingdom of God right here and abroad. As we come to this huge 140-year milestone, we have the opportunity to carry the torch forward in an exciting new chapter of KCC. And we couldn’t be more honored.
The Smith St. property is directly south of our current campus property line. The property includes 3 parcels. Two consist primarily of office space and meeting rooms. The third parcel is mostly an empty lot that we wish to clean up and renovate into a beautiful yard space for outdoor KCC events, youth activities, as well as community events, as soon as possible.
Our current facilities are at capacity on Wednesday nights and we lack adequate rooms for adult classes, children’s classes, junior high youth group, and yard space for games and activities. This expansion presents so many opportunities to, not only meet our current needs, but provide the breathing room necessary to grow our ministries and see God’s movement in our church for the future.
Imagine what stories we will be able to tell future generations because we took a step of faith. What will we be able to entrust to them? As our town grows, we have grown, and will continue to grow if we make space for it. So now we stand on the brink of another significant step forward.
seizing the moment
Our offer on the Smith St. extension was accepted on June 11, 2024. This property represents an investment that will hold its value. It can be utilized now and improved further on down the road. Adding this land has been a long-held dream for so many of us at KCC. We’ve continually inquired about it, praying for God to give us the opportunity, and need, to expand our campus. For decades, it’s been on our hearts and, finally, the time is now!
But to fully realize the vision of acquiring the Smith St. property, we need the support of our church family and friends. If you are reading this, that includes you! It’s a big undertaking. The purchase price is $1,250,000. We are inviting all of you, every member of our community, to partner with us to bring this dream to life. Please consider participating in a three-year financial pledge. Your commitment will help us address immediate needs and set the stage for future growth.
More importantly, we ask you to pray. Stepping out in faith is never without risk, but that’s the point. We choose to be faithful with the opportunities that God lays out before us and we trust in His guidance, knowing fully, He will be faithful to us.
Pray for wisdom for our church leadership. Pray the Holy Spirit would lay a pledge amount on your heart and that He will provide it. Pray for the transition of ministries moving into the new space. Pray for the groups in our church family that will be first to benefit from your generosity and God’s providence. And finally, pray for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the kids that fill our halls now. This moment is our opportunity to build into the legacy of the generations before us. 140 years ago, a church family invested in a future that included you. It’s our responsibility to do the same for them.
KCC is determined to plant the good news of Jesus Christ, grow mature disciples, and harvest the fruit of the Spirit for the needs of the world.
Let’s join together in this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Time is now.
But to fully realize the vision of acquiring the Smith St. property, we need the support of our church family and friends. If you are reading this, that includes you! It’s a big undertaking. The purchase price is $1,250,000. We are inviting all of you, every member of our community, to partner with us to bring this dream to life. Please consider participating in a three-year financial pledge. Your commitment will help us address immediate needs and set the stage for future growth.
More importantly, we ask you to pray. Stepping out in faith is never without risk, but that’s the point. We choose to be faithful with the opportunities that God lays out before us and we trust in His guidance, knowing fully, He will be faithful to us.
Pray for wisdom for our church leadership. Pray the Holy Spirit would lay a pledge amount on your heart and that He will provide it. Pray for the transition of ministries moving into the new space. Pray for the groups in our church family that will be first to benefit from your generosity and God’s providence. And finally, pray for the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of the kids that fill our halls now. This moment is our opportunity to build into the legacy of the generations before us. 140 years ago, a church family invested in a future that included you. It’s our responsibility to do the same for them.
KCC is determined to plant the good news of Jesus Christ, grow mature disciples, and harvest the fruit of the Spirit for the needs of the world.
Let’s join together in this once-in-a-generation opportunity. The Time is now.
DONATE NOW
Consider making a donation today through our giving portal to the right. Just select the fund titled, "Smith St. Expansion".
MAKE A PLEDGE
Or join us in making a three-year pledge toward the purchase of the parcels. Just follow this link to send us a confirmation email of your pledge amount.
