Refreshing Our Lobby & Coffee Areas
By Ellis White, Senior Pastor
Over the years, one of the things we’ve come to recognize is how quickly people form an impression when they walk into a space. Long before a song is sung or a message is preached, something meaningful is already happening. In those first few minutes, people are quietly asking, “Do I belong here? Would I come back?”
That’s why we’re excited to share that we’ll be refreshing several key areas of our facility, specifically, our lobby, coffee shop, and bathrooms.
These spaces matter more than we sometimes realize. They’re not just transitional, they’re relational. They set the tone. They create margin for conversations. They shape how welcomed someone feels before they ever step into a service.
More recently, our coffee shop area in particular has become the heart of our church. With our kids now gathering in the Gathering Place and Arena on Sundays, families are naturally spending more time in this space—connecting before and after services, building relationships, and lingering in ways that matter. This refresh is about leaning into that reality.
We want to create an environment that feels warm, intentional, and inviting—especially for families walking in for the first time. A space that communicates, without saying a word, “We’re glad you’re here.” A place where conversations happen easily, where kids and parents feel at home, and where connection starts naturally.
At the same time, this is also a practical step forward. Many of these areas haven’t been updated in 20–30 years. While they’ve served us well, they no longer reflect the kind of first impression—or the kind of experience—we want to offer to those who walk through our doors today.
We’re including some computer-generated images with this blog to give you an idea of what the new spaces might look like, but please note they are early renderings. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, with a goal of being completed by mid-September. Because this work will take place during the summer months, when our building tends to be quieter, we anticipate minimal disruption. Our worship services will continue as normal throughout the process.
We also want to be clear about how this project is being paid for. This refresh has been made possible through special gifts, along with unexpected revenue that we’ve prayerfully and carefully set aside over time for projects like this. Because of that, we’re able to move forward without using any money from our general offering, and no debt will be incurred as a result of the project.
Ultimately, this isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about people. It’s about removing distractions, creating space for connection, and helping every person who walks through our doors take one step closer to feeling known, welcomed, and at home.
We’re excited for what this will mean—not just for our space, but for the people who will walk into it.
Pastor Ellis