Due to inclement weather, all daytime in-person programs have been canceled for Thursday, Feb. 9 at each of our locations and the cafe and bookstore at the Leawood location are closed until 5 pm. Evening programs will be held, as scheduled.
We are watching the weather and at this time the Car Show is still on as scheduled for the public, open from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. We will keep you updated as conditions change.
Pictured here is the Kirk Family
Dear Friends,
We get to hear story after story of how Resurrection has changed the lives of people across the U.S. and the globe! We are energized by the opportunity to reach and help all ages grow in their faith through our Online & TV community. Ryan and I have been discussing and praying about what we might do to make the largest single contribution we’ve ever made. For us, this sacrifice will require putting off some things, re-ordering priorities, and getting creative. When Ryan and I reflected on what God has done for us in the past and what Resurrection means to us, making this sacrifice is worthwhile.
Pastor Ashley Morgan Kirk, Online Connection & Care Pastor
Over the past 33 years, we have seen God at work through the generations. The investments of those who came before us planted seeds that have grown and flourished. Now, it’s our turn to make bold commitments and invest in current and future generations.
The need is to raise $1 million in a three-year campaign to:
• Expand worship on TV to five major US cities
• Expand our digital outreach and awareness advertising efforts to reach new people around the world
• Expand online resources and content offerings for classes, groups, support and care
In 1990, a group of visionaries shared a dream that they could build a Christian community where non-religious and nominally religious people of all ages would become deeply committed Christians. Launching Resurrection in a funeral home, they laid a foundation for generations to come. They had no idea the number of lives that would be transformed or the impact the church would have on the community, but they trusted God and dreamed big.
Resurrection has always been about people whose lives can be transformed when they follow Jesus, and who in turn can change the world. But, as we’ve grown and expanded, we’ve recognized that facilities and resources are important tools for ministry. Today, as a thriving church with six physical locations and a growing online presence, we are committed to ensuring that our buildings and programs continue to welcome and care for our community – from those yet to be born, to teens and young adults, to our oldest adults.
Resurrection Brookside at Historic Central launched in December 2022 as Resurrection’s sixth physical location. God is doing something incredible in this community and it continues to grow. We want to ensure that we have the right tools so that we are a place where all generations are welcome.
Our historic building tells a wonderful story of hope that generations of Christians have held for the future. We love continuing that story as Resurrection Brookside
One of the goals of this campaign is to pay down some of our debt from previous building projects. A portion of our annual ministry budget goes to debt service. By reducing this debt and the associated interest, more funds will be directly available for programming, missions, and outreach.
In 2019 our congregation helped shape, and then approved, a set of visions for the year 2030. Creating the right tools for ministry with new and remodeled spaces and reducing our debt will allow us to more effectively live into these visions:
Your commitment to the 2024 Annual Ministry Fund makes possible all the mission and ministry at Resurrection. Your generosity and commitment to join us in closing the gap between where the world is and where it could be is the lifeblood of the church.
This capital campaign commitment, over and above your regular offering, will make possible creating and improving facilities to help us in passing on the faith from generation to generation.
Pray for this campaign, specifically that God will give our leaders wisdom and touch the hearts of our congregation.
Pray for personal discernment as you consider how God is calling you to invest in a church for generations today and tomorrow.
Pray this simple prayer daily:
God, you have called us to tell coming generations of your glorious deeds. Grant us vision to know the plans you have for your church, and give us the conviction, courage and boldness to pursue them. Amen.
The success of the campaign will require a commitment from us all to complete the building designs and achieve our goals. A sacrificial gift is an opportunity to take a bold step in your spiritual journey, make a sacrificial gift to invest in God’s work, and experience the joy of knowing that you will be sharing Jesus with current and future generations.
Parents, this is an opportunity to discuss giving with your children. Our children’s ministry team has designed activities and a Talk & Tunes resource with these conversations in mind. Share with your children how you make giving decisions. Talk about the difference you want to make, and work as a family to find other ways to make an impact. Download printable versions of these resources by clicking the buttons below.
If you have an IRA, consider contributing through a Qualified Charitable Distribution. A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from an IRA custodian, payable to a qualified charity like Resurrection. These gifts expand the impact of your giving, because instead of paying taxes on the money, every dollar goes directly to mission and ministry. Seek advice from a financial advisor to determine the best way to maximize this opportunity. For more information visit cor.org/waystogive or click the button below.
Setting up a recurring gift at Resurrection is a convenient and secure way to manage your giving. Use this link for easy-to-use steps. As you set up your gifts, be sure to read carefully as you enter your giving amount and frequency.
Our sacrificial gifts to the church, above and beyond our annual ministry fund gift or tithe, over the next three years towards the Generation to Generation capital campaign will provide resources that will impact thousands and thousands of lives for generations to come. Making a sacrificial gift is something that requires prayerful discernment, and it will take each of us to make the goals of this campaign a reality. As you embark on this spiritual journey, this devotional is designed to help you prayerfully seek God’s calling as you consider what He is asking you to sacrifice to be a part of ensuring spaces for all generations at Resurrection, today and into the future.
While our plans for the Generation to Generation campaign involve converting our existing storage room (room 027) into a Youth space, we believe that we will still have enough space on-site for the tables, chairs, etc that are used on a weekly basis. We believe that rest of the items in the storage room can be stored offsite (the missions center, etc), or donated to make space for ministry.
Yes – though the proposed plans (finishing our existing building and clearing debt) would be a necessary first step before expanding outside of our existing walls. This does not commit to (or against) our previously expressed long-term plans. The pandemic has changed church trends and building needs, and so we have structured a campaign that will prepare us for the broadest number of possible futures. This campaign allows us to prepare for whatever comes next (whether it is that plan or another one), while gaining clarity on post-pandemic needs and building stronger foundations.
We project this building campaign will cost $1.4 million, which our consultants tell us is within the reasonable range for a church our size – that would provide for the new youth space, a reconfiguring of much of the lower level, debt reduction, and key sanctuary upgrades. If we come in above expectation, our building committee will prioritize upgrades in our Sanctuary and Youth room. If we come in under projections, our building committee will guide us through the process of expansion or cutting, with the top priority as finishing out 027 into a youth space. Children’s ministry spaces and debt reduction will come next.
The campaign commitment period begins October 1, 2023 and ends December 31, 2026 making it possible for you to utilize 4 tax years to contribute to your commitment.
© 2023 Resurrection, A United Methodist Church