Light for the Future (LFTF) was launched in 2022 as a five-year, two-phase campaign to eliminate our current debt and build a new ministry center.

Several years ago, the Lord gave us the vision to expand our ministry to the Fox Valley Church body and our neighbors. Since then, we’ve been praying and looking for the right time and opportunity to get started. When God suddenly provided the opportunity to purchase the adjoining property to the east, Fox Valley Church responded with an overwhelming “Yes!”

Now is time to work together to provide a ministry center that will help us reach more people for Christ and better serve our church family. We’ve had to be diligent and creative, working with tight and limited spaces, to stay on mission. Yet, the Gospel is the engine that propels us forward, and people are responding.

2022? Is that right? [LB1]

The proposed addition is a significant project designed to accommodate and serve the people God is drawing to Fox Valley Church. While our goal is to avoid debt, a project of this magnitude involves many variables beyond our control. It’s conceivable we may need to take on some debt.

However, we serve a God for whom nothing is impossible. He may provide in ways we can’t foresee, potentially allowing us to complete the project debt-free.

We are committed to responsible financial stewardship. Any decision to proceed will require a favorable vote from our members. Throughout this process, we will prayerfully seek God’s guidance and trust in His provision, whatever form it may take.

Rest assured that we will carefully consider all options and only move forward in a way that we believe aligns with God’s will for Fox Valley Church.

We had hoped to have a definitive number by now, but determining the total cost for a project of this size is a complex process that requires pulling together information from engineers, architects, Kane County officials, KDOT, and Carpentersville. This process takes time as there are many variables to consider, some of them outside of our control.

We are committed to being thorough and responsible stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and we appreciate your patience while we work diligently to provide an accurate answer. In the meantime, your continued prayers for wisdom in this process are greatly appreciated.

What we build is contingent upon the amount of money that we raise and what the members approve by vote.

The proposed addition is for 13,500 sf and includes:

• New 700-seat worship center
• New entry vestibule
• New lobby
• New men’s and ladies restrooms
• New storage
• New utility rooms

Pending the amount of money pledged and the approving vote of the congregation, the following proposed renovations are planned for the existing building:

• Existing gym, gym storage, men’s and ladies restrooms, kitchenette, utility room, family restroom, some offices and Journey Land (JL) classrooms to remain as-is
• Existing lobby and worship center remodeled for new Journey Land check-in, classrooms, storage, and large group area
• Existing kitchen remodeled for two new, family restrooms
• Existing cafe/gathering area remodeled for new Journey Land check-in/lounge
• Existing Journey Land classrooms expanded and/or modified
• Existing Journey Land classrooms and two single-user, jr. toilet rooms remodeled for new meeting room, storage, and kitchen
• Existing multi-purpose room and five offices remodeled for new cafe/gathering space
• Remodeled area: ~ 11,500 sf

• Worship Center:
  • Existing: 3500 sf (~ 250 seats)
  • New: 9100 sf (~ 700 seats)
• Lobby:
  • Existing: 1000 sf
  • New: 2400 sf
• Cafe/Gathering:
  • Existing: 1400 sf
  • New/Remodeled: 3200 sf
• Journey Land & Student Ministry:
  • Existing: 7100 sf
  • New/Remodeled: 8400 sf
• Parking:
  • Existing: 235 spaces (includes 60 on gravel)
  • New/Expanded: 400+ spaces (paved)

Pending the amount of money pledged and the approving vote of the congregation, the proposed renovations for the exterior include:

• Parking for 400+ total vehicles
• New canopy
• New outdoor gathering space and play areas
• Landscaping
• New water/sewer utility services
• Possible second access drive (right-in/right-out @ Huntley Rd.)

A congregational vote with membership approval is needed to proceed.

The proposed plan is that construction would start in the Spring of 2026 and finish in the Spring of 2027.

We are hoping for minimal disruption on Sunday mornings. Certainly, there is a lot of work to be done in all these spaces to repurpose them for Journey Land and Student Ministry. Some spaces, like the current worship center, can be built out without interrupting Sunday morning because we will be in our new worship center. Some spaces will be more challenging to repurpose without some minimal interruptions. Since the gym will be transformed back to a more exclusive Student Ministry space, they should have minimal impact.

We’re genuinely sorry to hear about your experience. Understandably, such an experience would leave you feeling cautious. Your trust is important to us, and we want to assure you that financial integrity and transparency are valued at Fox Valley Church. Here’s how we strive to honor that commitment:

1. Regular financial reports are made available to all members.
2. Our books are audited annually by Capin Crouse, an independent accounting firm.
3. We maintain an open-door policy for questions about church finances. (Reach out to our Director of Financial Stewardship Ministry by emailing fuentes.a@foxvalleychurch.org.)

That said, we want you to feel completely at ease with your decision to participate – or not – in Light for the Future. There’s no obligation or expectation for you to give. We believe giving should be a joyful response to God’s leading, not a result of pressure or guilt.

If you have any specific questions about how funds will be managed or want to discuss your concerns further, you are welcome to arrange a conversation with a member of our Pastoral Council. (See below.)

Pastoral Council

Bob Brogan (847.354.3535), David Cahill (231.670.3614), Duane Careb (847.774.6420), Rob Schrader (224.622.1997), Adam Vietmeier (224.374.2319), Jere Miller (847-338-1037), Jason Arneson (630-615-1424) and Tom Atchison (847.844.1010 x15)