PREPARING THE WAY

Eliminating Debt to Prepare the Way for Our Ministry Expansion Campaign and Beyond

What is Preparing the Way?

Preparing the Way is a debt elimination campaign that aims to remove the debt from our previous Reach expansion campaign, before we start our Built on the Rock expansion campaign. Below is a summary of the current debt:

  • The Reach campaign ended with a debt of $1,644,000. St. John’s has worked within the operational budget to pay this down to a current balance of $977,000.

  • St John’s finally received Employee Retention Credit funds from the government to offset losses during the pandemic in April 2025, and we will be able to divert $250,000 of these funds to decrease the debt to $727,000.

  • Thanks to the generosity of several families, local businesses, members of the leadership and staff here at St. John’s, God has provided an additional $328,000 in contributions to kickstart this campaign.

  • As of Sunday, October 19, our target to be debt free is $399,000.

Preparing the Way is far more than a slogan—it is a sacred invitation. As Isaiah proclaims: A voice of one calling:

“In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Now is our moment to answer that call. Let us prepare the way for what God longs to do in and through us.

What Was the Reach Campaign?

In 2012, St John’s launched the Reach expansion campaign which raised funds to build the Early Childhood Center (ECC), addressed very needed improvements to the church, and built Sonshine Community Park. There was resulting debt associated with this campaign and at that time the congregation committed that this debt would be paid in full prior to the start of any new capital campaigns.

What Is the Built on the Rock Campaign?

A lot of work has been done over the past 2+ years as we have looked at the next steps of the Campus Master Plan and what the needs are within our ministry campus. In recent months we have been discussing a new ministry expansion campaign called ”Built on the Rock”. When it became clear that we may not be able to complete everything that was originally proposed as part of this campaign (Church, School, Faith Haven and the 6th Avenue properties), we received feedback from the congregation, and the overwhelming message was that we need to focus Built on the Rock towards the school expansion.

With the success of the completion of the new ECC building in 2013, the opportunities provided with School Choice, and the ever-shifting educational environment, the school enrollment has grown from 151 in 2013 to 268 today, a 77% increase. To support that growth, and the growth that will continue to funnel in from the ECC and the community, two classrooms are required for each grade, which could maximize student capacity at 324. School leaders and staff have done an incredible job utilizing every square inch of the school, but today we are out of room and need to act to foster an environment that the students and staff deserve. We are blessed to share the love of Christ with these children and the ministry expansion "Built on the Rock" is focused on addressing this opportunity that God has provided.

Built on the Rock is set to launch in January of 2026, focusing primarily on a school expansion. The building committee is currently working diligently with our construction partners on a new proposal addressing the specific needs of the school.

Why the Urgency?

Quite simply, before we can move forward with a bold new ministry expansion, we must first honor our past commitments from the Reach campaign. By freeing ourselves from this burden, we will unlock resources, energy, and excitement to begin our Built on the Rock ministry expansion campaign, set to launch in January with Information forums. This next campaign will position our ministry for future growth—expanded outreach and facilities that will serve today’s and tomorrow’s generations.

Why Pay Off the Debt?

Every dollar we pay off today strengthens our foundation for tomorrow.

Eliminating this debt means:

  • The ability to respond to God’s call for expansion without delay.

  • A legacy of stewardship for our children and community.

  • More resources will be directed toward ministry rather than debt service payments which are $82,000/year.

Our Timeline is Short

Our timeline for Preparing the Way spans only five months because we are set to start the informative phase of Built on the Rock in January 2026. We ask that the congregation prayerfully consider a special gift, above and beyond your regular support, to help us reach this debt elimination goal. Only together and with God’s help can we accomplish what none of us could do alone.

Preparing the Way Debt Elimination Timeline:

  • October 25 & 26: The Leadership Board will present additional information. Preparing the Way Commitment Cards will be available in the pews. Please pray for clarity in making your commitment.

  • November 1 & 2: Commitment Sunday – Bring forth your Preparing the Way Commitment Cards at any of the worship services. There will be a designated time during each service to do this.

  • November 8-9: Celebration of God’s Provision

  • November through March: Commitment Fulfillment – We ask that all congregation members fulfill their commitments by March 2026 or sooner so that we can begin Built on a Rock on schedule and without any barriers.

Our Goal Is Within Reach

The Lord has blessed the St. Johns family in so many ways and will continue to bless us as we further His mission. The next step in this process is to truly clear the path to allow His mission to expand. Fulfilling our prior debt commitments with the Preparing the Way campaign is the critical next step and your participation is crucial.

As of Sunday, October 19, the target amount to be debt free is $399,000. This makes our goal of becoming debt free truly within reach. We invite everyone to join in—through your gifts and your prayers—as we work together to fulfill this mission.

Ways to Contribute

  • Click Give found at the top right of our website’s navigation. On the secure Pushpay web page, choose the Fund titled “Debt Cam-Preparing the Way”.

  • There are light blue Preparing the Way debt reduction campaign envelopes in the church pews.

  • Drop off a check at the church office. Please make checks payable to: St. John’s West Bend Foundation, Inc.

  • If you’d like to contribute confidentially, call Dave Rohr, Director of Finance at (262) 334-4901, Ext. 309.

FAQs

1. If St. John’s had the $250,000 Employee Retention Credit (ERC) since COVID, why have they not used it up until now? 

St. John’s received the ERC from the federal government for maintaining staff during COVID times, however, the funds were not received until April 2025. As a part of the master plan strategy, that money was set aside to determine its best use. Leadership has determined that $250,000 should be used toward debt elimination. The balance will be used to minimize working capital borrowings under our Line of Credit (Lutheran Church Extension Fund).

2. Is the Preparing the Way debt elimination campaign separate from the larger Built on the Rock ministry expansion campaign? Why have a separate campaign?

The campaigns are separate but connected.

Preparing the Way:

• Honors promises made to pay off debt from the previous ECC/church REACH campaign prior to entering into another building campaign.

• Frees up $82,000/year of debt service payments.

• Keeps momentum going as the building committee diligently works with builders and contractors to get the price of the potential build aligned with what we believe to be our budget.

3. Why has St. John’s carried debt from the last expansion campaign rather than paying it off? 

The original debt from the previous ECC/church REACH campaign was $1,644,000, which has been paid down to the current $977,000. Staff and leaders have exercised faithful stewardship in securing favorable interest rates on that debt. Without additional monies coming in to pay down the debt further, the current $82,000 in annual debt payments was the maximum amount St. John’s could sustain, while allowing the deployment of  dollars back into ministry for the sake of our mission.

4. What happens if the amount raised does not fully cover the debt?

If the amount raised does not fully cover the debt commitment, we will not be able to proceed with Built on the Rock without congregational approval.

5. What happens if the amount raised exceeds what we need to cover the debt?

If we are blessed with funds that exceed our current need, we will come back to the congregation in the January meeting and discuss how to proceed.

6. Has there been any thought to selling some of the properties across the street from our church to eliminate and/or reduce the debt? 

Currently none of the properties will be sold to retire the debt. All options for the properties across the street continue to be evaluated. Each property has an intrinsic value to the ministry of St. John’s. This may include office space currently being used, rental property for current staff or incoming staff, rental income, or outright sale value. Decisions on those properties may vary and may occur at different times.

7. Is the St. John’s West Bend Foundation contributing to the Preparing the Way debt elimination campaign?

The Foundation will be the trustee/custodian of the Preparing The Way and Built on the Rock campaign funds, but is not planning to contribute to the Preparing The Way campaign. Donor Designated Funds have been set aside for current and future uses according to donor wishes per SJWB Foundation By-Laws.