the questions below pertain to the vision

A: Our goal is for 100% of our church pray for students to accept Christ as their Savior by age 18 and to pray for how God wants each of us to partner with Him in giving for His purpose.

A: The plan for Generations is based on values established by our leadership -- values rooted in a rich history that spans almost four decades:

REACH the students for Christ: Create an enhanced Student Center as a welcoming environment for students to connect in real relationship with others and feel safe to have spiritually deep and important conversations.

REACH our community for Christ and WORSHIP Him as our savior: Create a Chapel as an intimate place for worship and sharing spiritual family moments.

A: God gave our Church Leadership the vision to reach our growing community for Christ. We continue to step out in faith for His provision every day. It took major steps of faith to plan, fund and build Port Mariners and the Worship Center. It took major steps of faith for over 2,250 individuals and families to give sacrificially toward the vision of reaching more of our community for Christ. And it will take faith as we continue to fund our campus expansion through Generations to meet the needs of our students and our growing church.

A: Matthew 6:21 says “Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Jesus taught that whatever we treasure will be the guiding force in our lives. When we give our treasure to God’s work, God’s priorities become our priority.

As a church, our desire is to reach this community for Christ. We are committed to fulfill this by financially funding our campus expansion to create more space for ministry. And we want to do this together as His church – everyone participating with an equal heart to give, not equal gifts.

A: The regular weekly offering funds the on-going expenses of the church, including all ministry activities, staffing, and on-going operational costs. To fund large capital investments like our campus expansion, our church needs to provide over-and-above the weekly offerings as an investment in the future of the church. We would not take funds away from ministry to fund capital expansion. Our hope and prayer is that everyone will participate with equal hearts, giving to both ministry and the investment in reaching our community for Christ.

the questions below pertain to the need for expansion

A: In Imagine 1, the $18M need was for Mariners to secure the 18 acres behind the existing property on which to expand our campus to reach and serve our community and beyond. This land has now multiplied in market value, confirming that it was God’s perfect plan and timing for the church to have a full 46 acres for ministry.

The $35 million need in the Imagine 2 campaign was to build the new 81,000 square foot Worship Center that makes space for 45% more people than our previous auditorium, for a total of 3,300 people. Additionally, a 63,000 square foot Children’s Building was built with space for 2,000 kids. Also included are the larger Global Café and Bookstore and the completion of the first phase of a Youth Park. Through Imagine 2, our church family continued living out the vision God gave Mariners Church upon its inception – to reach our friends and neighbors for Christ.

Over 2,200 families pledged $27.2 MM to make this possible. The Imagine 2 Giving Campaign Period continues through 12/31/06 and we are praying to finish well against our pledged target. As of 6/30/06, $22 million has already been given.

A: In the Generations campaign, our third and last phase of this campus expansion plan, the need is for a Student Center for Junior High and High School Students, a Chapel for more intimate services, as well as additional parking. There are plans for architectural features and landscaping, including a lake in front of the chapel.

These planned buildings are an incredible blessing from God, but we know they are just that: buildings. More importantly, we can use them as an easy way to invite students, neighbors and friends, giving them the opportunity to experience the radical, life-changing power of God’s love.

A: Historically, adult attendance is up 38% since 2000. At the time of Imagine 2, we were growing at a rate of 6-8% a year on adult attendance. There were also approximately 6,800 new homes built in the hillsides around us. Since that time, our growth had continued at that approximate rate, somewhat lower than earlier forecasts. However, the number of children in Port Mariners has grown 26% above the average weekend in 2004 (old facilities in Life Development Building) to 2005/2006 (Port Mariners opens).

A: The Student Center will provide an environment that is uniquely suited to the needs of our students, such as a place for sports activities and large meeting spaces, and “hang out” space for building relationships and conversations about life’s important and challenging issues. It will give students the freedom to explore, laugh, wonder, and cry with caring adult leaders and fellow students. The addition of a Chapel with compelling contemporary architecture will provide a “welcome mat” to Mariners Church and serve as a spiritual and serene place for intimate worship services and joyful family moments like weddings and memorial services.

A: Yes. There are currently no other near-term plans beyond this phase for additional major expansion. The leadership at Mariners believes God’s plan has been since inception to provide a fully functional campus for families: Children, Students, and Adults. The Generations plan will complete that vision and provide a multi-generational legacy of God’s love and faithfulness.

the questions below pertain to the overall plan

A: The Generations Plan includes a new Student Center, Chapel, additional parking, and landscaping as appropriate to create a warm, inviting church campus.

The Student Center will include two meeting spaces: a multi-use Junior High room connected to the multi-use High School space by an open “living room” area for hanging out. There are plans for an indoor basketball court and a food service area for eating simple foods brought in from the Global Café, such as pizza and hot dogs. Outside the building, plans are for a grill, skate board park, volleyball court, and an amphitheater.

The Chapel is planned to have a contemporary design, with seating for 250 attendees at weddings, memorial services, and other spiritual moments. It will serve as a “welcome mat” for the community and a vital place for the major spiritual moments of life. In addition, plans include intimate traditional-style services as an alternate venue to the Worship Center experience.

Additional parking will add back the spaces displaced by the new Chapel as well as needs created by our growing church community

For additional convenience, plans include a new entrance for the Life Development Building facing the center of campus, and landscaping to include a lake in front of the Chapel.

A: Our goal for current and future student programs is to meet the evolving needs of our students. As a first step, additional staffing has been planned to improve the relational aspect and connection between students and ministry staff. The staff will be looking for new ways to attract and retain students in their programs. We don’t have all the answers yet, but it will support the four core values of Student Ministries:

1) Having fun
2) Showing love for our students
3) Providing a place for spiritual conversations and decisions
4) Developing real relationships

We are aware that buildings will only provide a part of the solution – compelling and Christ-based programs aimed at winning the hearts of our students within a unique and safe environment is the complete Generations commitment.

A: The estimated start date of construction for additional parking is 1st Quarter 2007. This sequence is important because the subsequent Chapel construction will displace some parking spaces. The starts dates for the Student Center and Chapel are targeted for Summer 2007. Estimated project completion is targeted for the First Half of 2008.

A: The current High School Ministry will be moved to the Community Center, and the Junior High Ministry will be moved to the Life Development Building.

A: The tent must be removed (the structure is leased), but the audio/visual equipment that is owned by Mariners will be used in either the new Student Center or Chapel.

the questions below pertain to the financial needs

A: The project cost is still being refined, but the best estimate for construction is $33 million for the Student Center, Chapel and landscape architecture, and additional parking. In addition, any additional funds raised will be used to reduce debt from previous construction and expansion.

A: The elders of our church have spent time thinking and praying through this specific question, and the larger issue of stewardship. The elders have established a debt policy that includes three key components:
- Debt service cannot exceed 25% of our annual operating budget
- At least 50% of a project must be funded by contributions
- Any increase in debt service cannot adversely affect the ministries of Mariners Church

A: While we are praying for pledges of 100% of the need, collections totaling less than that will be supplemented by loans that meet the key components of the debt policy established by our elders.

A: There are three systems of checks and balances in place to ensure God’s resources are used wisely.

First, the Elder Board has reviewed and approved the project budget. Any significant changes will require their approval.

Second, Mariners Church has highly experienced staff members who are responsible for managing the day-to-day project budget and construction activities. In addition, Tom Greer, a consultant on the project, is known nationally for his church building expertise, and Brian Norkaitis, Executive Pastor, brings more than 22 years of experience in the building and development industry to the project.

Third, the Financial Oversight Team, a volunteer team made up of individuals in our church family with substantial financial experience, has reviewed the project budget and the financial plan.

A: Call or email Jeremy Moser, Controller, at 949.854.7030, x309 or jmoser@marinerschurch.org and Jeremy will gladly provide the annual financial statements.

A: The Generations capital campaign is a 3 year giving campaign to fund the Student Center, Chapel, and parking structure construction projects. Though the construction is targeted to be completed in 2008, the giving period to fund construction and debt service on the completed facilities continues through 12/31/09.

A: Though the construction is targeted to be completed in 2008, the giving period to fund construction and debt service on the completed facilities continues through 12/31/09.

A: Though the construction is targeted to be completed in 2008, the giving period to fund construction and debt service on the completed facilities continues through 12/31/09.

A: We ask that 100% of our church pray for students to accept Christ as their Savior by age 18 and to pray for how God wants each of us to partner with him, using our time and treasure for His purpose. Ask God for His direction for how you might respond wholeheartedly to Him. Ask God for His continued direction for our leaders, blessing for the project, protection for all involved, and the transformation of the hearts in our church family as we learn to trust God completely with the resources He has given us. The construction funding need is significant, but the results – more lives transformed through our Student Center, Chapel, and a fully expanded campus where people can discover God – are awe-inspiring.

If you would like regular campaign prayer updates via e-mail, please contact Janice Munemitsu at jmunemitsu@marinerschurch.org