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Christ Community Church: A Testimony of God’s Provision
Charting the Course
Successful capital campaigns begin long before the first commitment is made. Our journey with Christ Community Church began in early 2025 as the church’s leadership prayerfully discerned what the next season of ministry would require. For several years, God had blessed the congregation with growth in worship attendance, discipleship, and ministry opportunities, and leaders recognized that their facilities would eventually need to expand to support that growth. After much prayer, discussion, and refinement, a master plan emerged that provided a clear direction for the future.
The leadership wisely chose to pause and listen. Before launching a campaign, they wanted to understand how the congregation viewed the church’s future, the proposed expansion, and their readiness to participate. That desire to lead with humility and intentionality led them to engage Canaan Group to conduct a feasibility study.
Feasibility Study – Listening, Adjusting, and Planning
Every feasibility study we conduct explores three main areas. First, we seek to understand the overall health and direction of the church’s ministry. Second, we invite thoughtful feedback on the proposed facilities plan itself. Finally, we explore questions surrounding stewardship, generosity, debt, and financial capacity. Through personal interviews with church leadership and members, we had the privilege of hearing story after story of God’s work through Christ Community. It was evident that this is a congregation deeply committed to biblical preaching, authentic worship, meaningful discipleship, and serving their community in the name of Christ. One of the great joys of our work is getting a front row seat to how churches across the country are faithfully advancing the gospel.
“Working with Dan and Canaan Group was a game-changer for us. Through the feasibility study, they helped us understand where our congregation was—and unite us around our common vision and mission. Through the capital campaign, they guided us step by step with wisdom, encouragement, and much prayer in a manner tailor-made for our congregation. I can’t imagine what this process would have been like without the expert counsel and strong encouragement of Canaan Group. I cannot recommend them enough!”
— Josiah Jones, Senior Pastor
The study also provided valuable insight into the proposed facilities master plan. While the congregation was overwhelmingly supportive of the church’s vision, there was one significant component of the plan that many felt was not the wisest use of resources at this stage of ministry. Our responsibility was not to make that decision for the church, but to faithfully communicate what we heard. To the great credit of Christ Community’s leadership, they listened carefully, evaluated the feedback, and made meaningful adjustments. The result was a refined facilities plan that reflected both the leadership’s vision and the congregation’s convictions. An adjusted plan was developed that inspired greater unity, confidence, and enthusiasm moving into the campaign.
Campaign – Executing the Plan
When the campaign officially began, Christ Community’s leadership embraced the process wholeheartedly. Every successful campaign follows a carefully developed strategy with distinct phases designed to build vision, engagement, and momentum. From the very beginning, the staff, leadership, and campaign volunteers communicated with clarity and consistency, helping the congregation understand not only what they were building, but why it mattered for future ministry. Their commitment to the process created tremendous momentum throughout the church.
“The Building Committee of Christ Community Church worked closely with and under the tutelage of Dan Nielson of Canaan Group. Our building expansion plan would not be where it is today without Dan’s care and leadership throughout the Feasibility Study and Capital Campaign. We are grateful for Dan’s knowledge and care and for the deep relationship we forged with Dan over the course of our time working together to meet our church’s goals.”
— Peter Bannon, Building Committee Chair
The campaign goals reflected both faith and wisdom: a baseline goal of $2.5 million and a stretch goal of $3 million. As each phase unfolded, the congregation responded with extraordinary generosity. Before the campaign had even reached its final church-wide commitment phase, the baseline goal had already been exceeded. Following a joyful congregational launch, giving continued to accelerate, and it quickly became evident that God was providing beyond what anyone had anticipated. The $3 million stretch goal was quickly surpassed.
Celebrating God’s Provision
One of the greatest blessings of our work is having the opportunity to celebrate with churches after months of planning, praying, and faithfully walking through a campaign together. A few months ago, I had the privilege of worshiping with Christ Community on a Sunday morning before joining the congregation for a campaign celebration luncheon that our team helped plan alongside the campaign committee. Pastors, committee members, and church leaders shared stories of God’s faithfulness and their excitement for what the expanded facilities would mean for generations of ministry to come. As we sat together on the very pavement where those new facilities will soon stand, it was a wonderful reminder that every building project is ultimately about creating more opportunities for gospel ministry.
Campaign Chair Bill Cuttino announced that the church had officially surpassed its stretch goal with a total of $3.25 million. What began as careful prayer and thoughtful planning culminated in a remarkable testimony of God’s provision and the faithful generosity of His people.
“I would highly recommend Dan Nielson of Canaan Group. Dan not only expertly guided Christ Community Church through its Feasibility Study but also through a Capital Campaign. We have appreciated so much Dan’s professional counsel and advice to help achieve the outstanding success of our campaign. Dan became a friend and a brother in Christ to our committee.”
— Bill Cuttino, Campaign Chair
The most rewarding part of what we get to do is to sit with our church clients and look back on a successful campaign. Yes, a successful campaign means raising the funds needed. But it also means a congregation unified around the vision and direction of the church. It means a congregation that has buy-in and ownership of the process. And it means a leadership that is equipped to see the campaign and project through to its completion with organization and excellence.
What a joy it is for us to be able to come alongside churches like Christ Community as they move from the very first steps of planning to the final celebration of success!