Hope Summit Family,
We know you are probably really excited to jump into the rest of this brochure and learn all about the cool things we want to do through the Hope Overflowing campaign. But before you jump into all the facts, concepts, F.A.Q.s, etc. we wanted to draw your attention to an essential aspect of Hope Overflowing. Our theme verse is Romans 15:13. It is a wonderful blessing that Paul wrote over the church in Rome. We are hoping his words are true for Hope Summit in Rochester, MN. Who wouldn't want the God of Hope to give us joy and peace as we trust in him? Who wouldn't want Hope to Overflow through us through the power of the Holy Spirit? But these words by Paul were spoken to a church that was facing difficult trials and only a few years after he penned these words, a terrible and bloody season of persecution would break out against Christians. Some of the people who Paul was writing to would soon after lose family, jobs, friends, and even their own lives because they chose to keep their Hope in Jesus. Now read that blessing from Paul again. Imagine the challenge it would be to trust God for joy and peace in a season of so much loss.
Today, we aren't facing death for our faith in Jesus, but it can still be difficult to hold onto Hope. However, I know that is one of the reasons so many love Hope Summit. They enter our midst and they find Hope. They find Hope that God is good when life is hard. They find Joy and Peace even when the world around them seems to steal it away. That is at the heart of Hope Overflowing.
At Hope Summit we know the God of Hope. As imperfect people, we have found the perfect Hope that is found in the name of Jesus. Also, word is getting out. Hope Summit continues to meet more people in their need. We continue to see more people made new in faith and baptism. We continue to see more people filled with the Spirit of God and Overflowing with Hope into their friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers they meet on the street.
We have some changes we need to take on as a church to keep that Hope Overflowing from our church. As we have grown, our facility has struggled to keep up with the needs. We are making some changes you can read about in this brochure. But as you read about the facility, the finances, and the changes we want to make, do not forget, this is all so more imperfect people can find Perfect Hope in Jesus.
Jeff and Chris Lead Pastor/Chairman of the Elders
1956 - FOUNDING
Rochester’s First Church of Christ was planted by members from Pleasant Grove and Marion Church of Christ. Our first Sunday gatherings were in the Olmsted County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.
1957 - NAME CHANGE
A new worship location came with a new name. Rolling Greens Church of Christ met in the basement of Rev. Frank Myers parsonage in the newly built Rolling Greens addition to Rochester.
1960 - GROWTH & PURCHASE
Steady growth created the need for a larger space, leading to the purchase of a former Lutheran church building in Southeast Rochester. We once again changed our name, becoming East Side Church of Christ.
1967 - CURRENT LOCATION
Continued growth lead to the purchase of the land purchase on 6th Ave SE with the intent to build a new, larger facility. We broke ground in 1967 and our Sunday service as Meadow Park first Church of Christ followed a year later.
1984 - EDUCATION WING
A new education wing was added, featuring a multipurpose gym, expanded spaces for children and youth, and rooms for Bible studies.
2008 - GROWTH & PURCHASE
Due to further growth we changed our name to Hope Summit Christian Church with the purchase of land out on the Southwest corner of Rochester with the plan to build a new facility.
2026
While our vision to reach the remains unchanged, we now believe Southeast Rochester needs a lost church ours. As a result, we plan to remain in our current location.
Hope Overflowing is a generosity initiative we are launching as a church to help us continue sharing the hope found in Jesus. One of our favorite parts of ministry at Hope Summit is hearing stories of how God is using our church to give people hope—hope that a marriage can survive, hope that there is a way out of addiction, hope that people genuinely care, and, most importantly, the hope that there is a real God who deeply loves imperfect people like us.
As our church has grown, we recognize the need to expand our facilities so we can continue helping people find their hope in Jesus. Hope Overflowing will help provide a larger foyer and gathering space, a welcoming entrance, and a secure, dedicated space for children.
Through Hope Overflowing, we are inviting our church family to give courageously, consistently, and creatively, trusting God to use each of us to see hope overflowing through our lives, our church, and into our community.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
“In Between” Space - More room in foyer for coffee, connecting, and community
Fire Suppression - Retrofit building to increase saftey and comply with code
New Roof - Replacement of roof over entire building
New Boilers - Replacement of boiler that is original to building
Restrooms - Remodeled and refreshed
Chapel Optimization - Divisions of Chapel for more flexibility
Everyone will be invited to give in many practical ways.
Courageously
On November 22, Commitment Sunday, everyone will be asked to make the largest one-time financial contribution to HOpe Summit they have ever made to support this generosity initiative.
Consistently
On Commitment Sunday, everyone will be asked to pledge a monthly gift, above and beyond regular giving, for the next 25 months.
Creatively
Everyone is encouraged to creatively give toward the campaign. This can include a boat, motorcycle, jewelry, land, stocks, garage sale proceeds, etc…
WHY DO WE GIVE?
Why give? The answer most people expect to that question would be, "Because we want to improve our building so that we can keep reaching more people." But that is not why a follower of Jesus gives. We give because we have first been given. The building we worship in was given to most of us by people who gave sacrificially. But let's go deeper. The body we live in was a gift from God. The talents and skills we have were written into our DNA by God. We give because we have been given so much already by God. We give because we recognize God has already provided for the gift. We are simply giving what He has already given us. We are asking our church family to give the biggest check they have ever written to the church and make a commitment to continue to give over the next 25 months. This will require that we all sacrifice something. It will mean we go without some things that we may have become accustomed to living with. But we can give sacrificially like this because we know The Giver and we have Hope that he will continue to give us all we need.
The card below is an example page included in the brochure.
Brochures are available at the Connection Center in the Hope Summit Church cafe area.
Giving to this generosity campaign works similar to our regular weekly tithes and offerings.
Use the button below to be directed to our Give Online page.