We want to expand our reach to unchurched students, creating spaces where overlap with these students is organic and natural.
Behold,
I am doing a new thing…
We believe God is doing something incredible among college students in Bloomington/Normal, and we are inviting you to be a part of it.
Project Values
Reach unchurched students
01
Prepare ministry workers
We want to deepen our internship program, giving students interested in vocational ministry opportunities to investigate that calling.
02
Use our influence
We want more students on campus to experience the life changing love of Jesus and deepen their relationship with Him.
03
Support students in crisis
We want to help students facing mental-health struggles, addressing a glaring need that is at crisis level on our campuses.
04
A reimagined campus space at 210 Mulberry
We engaged the help of professional designers and estimators to help us understand the most practical way forward. Should we remodel this new building? Should we tear it down and start over? What is the most cost effective way to align our new building with the values God already affirmed.
Many months of expert advice made it abundantly clear that renovating our current space and building an addition on the front of the building are the most cost-effective ways to transform our new space.
PROJECT GOAL: $3,230,000
Timeline & Next Steps
- 2017 – Encounter’s Board of Directors explores a building project at the 300 Normal Ave property, but through a process of prayer and discernment determines that God is asking us to wait.
- 2021 – Encounter’s staff and Board spends 6 months in prayer/discernment directed toward the future needs of the ministry, and feels confirmation that it is time to move forward.
- May 2022 – Encounter reaches out to the owners of the 210 Mulberry property.
- June 2023 – Encounter acquires the 210 Mulberry property, with God providing $400k in donations to make this a debt-free transition.
- October 2023 – The Board approves BLDD architects and Catalyst Construction to provide renovation ideas and budget options for the 210 Mulberry property matching our 2021 vision.
- August 2024 – With designs complete and fundraising materials developed, the Board begins the “silent portion” of our fundraising campaign.
- April 13, 2025 – Public launch of our project at the annual Spring Banquet, with $2.17 Million in pledges already committed in the previous silent portion of our fundraising.
- October 2025 – Construction start date for new facility, Lord willing.
- June 1, 2026 – Ministry move-in!