Bethlehem is Planning for a New Educational Facility
Bethlehem's campus transition plan is moving forward! We're working on:
- A three-year capital campaign to raise funds for a new educational facility on our Grandview Campus.
- Paying off our church mortgage (Building on the Cross) in the next three years or less.
The work has just begun, and we could use your prayers! Please review the information below to get up-to-speed on this project.
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Let our Steering Committee Answer Your Questions
Our History
Bethlehem Lutheran Church has been a part of the Hortonville community for over 150 years! For around 140 of those years, we've operated an elementary school. For about the last ten years, we've also operated an Early Learning Center.
Lots has changed over the years, but our mission hasn't. We are a community of people who believe the Good News about Jesus. We exist to gather to hear that message, to grow to know God better through his Word, and to go with that message to people who don't know Jesus.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."
- Mark 16:15
Our Plan
In 2018, we completed the first phase of our "campus transition plan" with the construction of our new church building on 752 E. Grandview Rd. Our ELC and school remained at our Pine St. campus. The scope of the project was too big to do all at once.
Since 2022, we've begun working on the next phase, moving our educational ministries to our Grandview campus, too.
"Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain."
- Psalm 127:1
Our Goal
Our main goal in moving forward with our campus transition plan is to reunite these different areas of ministry on a single campus.
Being on a single campus again will help us better carry out our ministry to our families from infants to elders.
Where We're At
In the fall of 2021, a committee was formed to start researching what it would take to build a new educational facility.
At our June 2022 congregational meeting, the voters approved a plan to spend up to $60,000 to develop specific plans for a new educational facility. Subcommittees have been formed (steering, building, finance, and fundraising) and for the past 1 1/2 years have been hard at work.
This spring, our subcommittees are offering in-depth presentations on what they've found. On Sunday, April 21 at a special congregational meeting, Bethlehem's voters' voted to move forward with three recommendations:
- Proceed with a 3-year Campus Transition Capital Campaign with the goal of moving our educational facilities (BLS/ELC) to our Grandview campus.
- Hire Cornerstone Stewardship Ministry for a total cost of $50,000 to assist our sub-committees in organizing and executing the Capital Campaign.
- In parallel with the Capital Campaign, work to pay off our BOTC mortgage in the next 3 years or sooner.
Our Steering
Committee
| Name |
|---|
| Dave Keller (Chair) |
| Steve Zuberbier |
| Bernie Olk |
| Mitch Neuman |
| Cathy Olson |
| John Kujath, Principal |
| Nikki Johnson, Early Learning Director |
| Pastor Tristan Paustian |
Our Building Subcommittee
| Name |
|---|
| Jason Lemke (Chair) |
| Charles Flunker |
| Joe Harleman |
| Jared Olk |
| Mike Schmitt |
| Mrs. Robin Ross |
| Pastor Kevin Westra |
Our Fundraising Subcommittee
| Name |
|---|
| Aaron Ratka (Chair) |
| Lana Barnes |
| Nicole Dorn |
| Tori Neuman |
| Kristin Olk |
| Elizabeth Schoeneck |
| Pastor Kevin Westra |
Our Finance Subcommittee
| Name |
|---|
| Lori Johnson |
| Matt Suttner |
| Jon Suttner |
| Pastor Tristan Paustian |
Phase One Project Updates
Fall 2021 - Summer 2022
Phase one began with the formation of a committee to look into the feasibility of building a new educational facility at our Grandview campus and the rationale for doing so.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Five Key Motivators | |
| October 2021 | The Project's Purpose |
| January 2022 | Why Build? |
| February 2022 | What Have We Done So Far? |
| March 2022 | What Do You Think? |
| April 2022 | Update to Congregation |
Phase Two Project Updates
Summer 2022 - Present
Phase two began with the approval of the congregation to a) form steering, building, fundraising, and finance committees to work further on this project and b) spend up to $60,000 making specific plans that will give the congregation the information needed to decide whether to build. The goal of these committees is to present a plan by the June 2023 congregational meeting.
| Date | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| November 2023 | What We've Been Up To | |
| January 2024 | Building Subcommittee Deep Dive (Slides) | Video Recording (YouTube) |
| February 2024 | Finance Subcommittee Deep Dive (Slides) | Video Recording (YouTube) |
| March 2024 | Fundraising Subcommittee Deep Dive (Slides) | Video Recording (YouTube) |
| April 2024 | Steering Committee Recommendation (Slides) | Video Recording (YouTube) |
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