NEXT Refresh — Thanksgiving.church

Fully equipped for what’s NEXT.

What began with a prayer for “what’s next” is becoming a reality.

The new Community Center is already becoming a place where people gather, connect, worship, and build community. Student Ministry is flourishing in the new space. New opportunities for fellowship and outreach are taking shape. And we’re only beginning to see how God will use this building to serve our church and our community.

Now, as construction comes to a close, we have an opportunity to take one more step together: fully equipping these new spaces for ministry.

Give to NEXT Refresh

Gifts are made through the NEXT Vision Campaign fund.

The building is nearly finished. Now let’s equip it.

Through the generosity of the Thanksgiving family, the NOW and NEXT Vision Campaigns have helped turn years of vision and planning into a finished Community Center.

Even with significant unexpected construction expenses—including more than $500,000 in repairs needed to preserve the Heritage Chapel—church leadership was able to complete the Community Center and finish the lower level while utilizing a $5 million mortgage instead of the $6 million authorized by the congregation.

That’s something worth celebrating.

But construction costs don’t include everything needed to make a building ready for ministry. Furniture, fixtures, technology, and other equipment—often referred to as FF&E—are still needed throughout the Community Center.

NEXT Refresh is an opportunity to finish what we started by equipping these spaces for the ministry that will happen inside them.

What will my gift help provide?

Your NEXT Refresh gift will help equip the Community Center with the practical tools and resources needed to welcome and serve people well, including:

Chairs and tables
Whiteboards and shelving
Technology and IT equipment
Equipment for gatherings, meals, and meetings
Emergency preparedness resources
Additional furnishings throughout the Community Center
Potentially new Worship Center seating

Some furnishings and basic equipment have already been purchased. Additional items will be added as funding allows.

The goal is simple: to fully equip the Community Center for ministry and outreach without taking on additional debt.

This isn’t a new campaign.

Many in the Thanksgiving family have already given generously—and sacrificially—to the NOW and NEXT campaigns. NEXT Refresh does not replace your regular giving or any existing NEXT commitment.

It also isn’t another multi-year pledge campaign.

There is no set dollar goal and no pledge that needs to be fulfilled over time. Instead, this is a short-term opportunity for anyone in the Thanksgiving family to prayerfully consider an additional, one-time gift above and beyond regular giving and current campaign commitments.

Maybe you’ve supported NOW and NEXT from the beginning and would like to give one more time.

Maybe you joined Thanksgiving after the campaigns began.

Maybe you weren’t in a position to participate before.

Whatever your story, everyone is invited to be part of preparing these spaces for what God will do next.

The letter captures that invitation especially well: the Refresh is intended to give everyone an opportunity to participate while keeping the gift above and beyond regular giving and any current pledge.

Look what God is already doing.

The Community Center was never simply about adding more square footage. It was about creating space for people.

Already, families of all ages are gathering and building relationships here. Student Ministry is thriving. Plans are underway to welcome residents from six area retirement communities for worship and fellowship.

And these are only the beginning.

Together, we can enter this next season with spaces that are ready to serve our community, nation, and world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and answers to help you understand what NEXT Refresh is, why it matters, and how you can take part.

What is the NEXT Campaign Refresh?

NEXT Refresh is an invitation from the Church Council to prayerfully consider a special gift above and beyond regular giving and any existing NEXT commitment.

Unlike the NOW and NEXT Vision Campaigns, NEXT Refresh has no set dollar goal and is not a multi-year pledge campaign. It is an opportunity to help fully equip the Community Center as construction comes to completion.

Every gift matters, and everyone is welcome to participate.

Haven’t we already given through NOW and NEXT? Why give again?

Yes—and the generosity of the Thanksgiving family has been remarkable.

Through NOW, the church met its $2.5 million goal. Through NEXT, more than $5 million has been pledged toward the $6 million goal.

NEXT Refresh is not starting over. It is an opportunity to finish well by helping provide the furnishings, fixtures, and equipment needed for the completed Community Center.

If you have already given to NOW or NEXT, you may prayerfully consider an additional gift. If you are newer to Thanksgiving or haven’t previously participated, this is another opportunity to be part of what’s ahead.

What will my gift be used for?

NEXT Refresh gifts will help purchase the furniture, fixtures, and equipment needed throughout the Community Center.

This includes items such as:

Chairs and tables
Whiteboards and shelving
Technology and IT equipment
Equipment for meals, gatherings, and meetings
Emergency preparedness resources
Additional furnishings throughout the Community Center
Potentially new Worship Center seating

These items were always part of the overall vision for the Community Center, but construction bids primarily covered the building itself rather than all of the furnishings and equipment needed inside it.

Wasn’t the Community Center already paid for through NOW and NEXT?

The NOW and NEXT campaigns, together with a congregation-authorized mortgage, provided the funding necessary to complete construction of the Community Center, renovate the Heritage Chapel and Worship Center, and install a new Worship Center roof.

However, unexpected construction expenses—including significant repairs required to preserve the Heritage Chapel—used funds that otherwise could have gone toward furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

NEXT Refresh focuses specifically on helping fill that remaining need.

Why did the project cost more than originally estimated?

Several factors affected the final cost.

Early estimates were developed before final bids could be received. Permitting and site issues—including previously unmarked utilities, right-of-way questions, and other unexpected conditions—delayed portions of the planning process.

During that time, inflation and rising construction costs significantly increased the estimated cost of the project. Additional needs were also uncovered during construction, particularly in the Heritage Chapel.

Even with those challenges, careful project management allowed the church to complete the finished lower level within the $5 million mortgage.

What happened with the Heritage Chapel?

As the existing buildings were connected with the new construction, crews uncovered several significant issues in the Heritage Chapel.

Mold was discovered behind portions of the exterior siding, support beams in the vestibule did not meet current load-bearing requirements, and frames surrounding the stained-glass windows were deteriorating.

Addressing these issues was necessary to preserve the chapel and ultimately cost more than $500,000.

How much did Thanksgiving borrow for the project?

In February 2024, the congregation authorized borrowing up to $6 million.

Through careful cost management, Church Council determined that a $5 million mortgage would be sufficient. That loan was executed in January 2025.

Why finish the lower level now instead of waiting?

The lower level was originally considered a potential future phase of the project.

As construction costs continued to rise, however, Church Council determined that completing the space while crews were already on site would be better stewardship than postponing the work and paying significantly more to complete it later.

The finished lower level will be completed within the existing $5 million mortgage.

How do I make a gift?

You can make a NEXT Refresh gift in several ways:

Give online at TLConnect.church/give and select “NEXT Vision Campaign.”
Give through the Realm app and select “NEXT Vision Campaign.”
Give by check at church or by mail, with “NEXT Vision” noted on the gift.

Can I give something other than cash, such as stock?

Yes. If you would like to explore giving appreciated stock or another non-cash gift, contact the church office and the team can help you with next steps.

Gifts to Thanksgiving Church may qualify as tax-deductible charitable contributions. Please consult your tax professional regarding your individual circumstances.