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A letter from Pastor Brian howard

Dear Calvary Family,

Fifty years ago, a small group of men and women stepped out in faith to restart a struggling church. They trusted God with big vision, bold faith, and deep sacrifice. Today, we worship in the church they built. We benefit from the ministries they launched. We stand on the foundation they laid.

Our church is what it is because they believed God for immeasurably more than all they could ask or imagine.
They left a legacy of faith for generations to come…

NOW, IT’S OUR TURN.

The ask

A 3 YEAR, SACRIFICIAL COMMITMENT STARTING SUNDAY, MARCH 22, 2026

7 Reasons we must move forward

1. The Church is Growing
Up 23% from 2022
2. The Next Generation is Rising
Early Childhood is up 46% since Fall 2022 and Elementary is up 12% since Fall 2022
3. The Special Abilities Ministry is Multiplying
Up 42% since Fall 2022
4. The Preschool is Expanding
From 8 students in Fall 2022 to 80 students in Fall 2025
5. The Hunger to Grow Deeper is Increasing
30 Day Bible Plan: 1,044 people joined > 365 Day Bible Plan: 1,850 people joined
6. The Building is Aging
7. The World is Waiting

God is blessing Calvary, and the only faithful response to His blessing is BOLD OBEDIENCE that matches His EXTRAORDINARY GRACE.

1. Children's ministry facilities

Elementary

  • New grand entrance

  • One additional classroom

  • Enhanced technology

  • Improved security

Preschool, early childhood, special abilities

  • For the first time since 1999, we are expanding our campus.

  • This project adds a two story, ~14,000 square foot building.

  • Five new Preschool classrooms

  • Five new Early Childhood classrooms

  • Decicated Early Childhood worship space

  • Two new Special Abilities rooms

2. Adult discipleship environments

  • 4 New adult classrooms upstairs

  • 2 New midsized spaces

  • Curtain to make worship center flexible space

  • Dedicated space for Seasoned Adults Ministry

3. The Chapel

  • Second story of new building

  • Seating for 200-300

  • Dedicated and reverent space for worship, weddings and memorials

4. Global Missions partners

Uganda

$300,000 to complete the God Cares School dormitory

Dominican republic

$300,000 for a Community Center for Gospel ministry

Cambodia

$300,000 for Rescue and Recovery Operation in Takeo

Iran

$500,000 for Bible distribution

South Asia

$600,000 for church planting in unreached villages

LEGACY UPDATES

Through the generosity of our church community, $17 million has been committed to the LEGACY campaign, which is 85% of our $20 million goal. This total represents 1,100 households! We are grateful and profoundly encouraged. We are confident that the Lord will provide what is needed as we continue to walk forward in faith. 

After giving thanks for God’s good hand over our church, our Elders made the clear and unanimous decision to move forward with the projects God has laid on our hearts in this campaign. As we move forward, you can expect the following:

1. Immediate Campus Improvements (Next 12 Months)
We will move forward with all projects within our existing footprint, including:

– Elementary Ministry entrance and expansion
– Adult Ministry classrooms expansion
– Worship Center curtain installation
– Seasoned Adults Ministry space enhancements in the Café
– Infrastructure improvements across campus 

2. New Building Process Begins (12-18 months before construction begins)
We have begun the formal permitting process for our new building, which will include:

– Preschool and Early Childhood space
– Special Abilities Ministry space
– The new Chapel space
– Two additional Adult Ministry classrooms 

This project will proceed as quickly as permits and funding allow, and we will provide updates in the coming years as progress is made, ground is broken, and construction progresses. 

3. Missions Projects (Starts Immediately)
10% of every dollar given to the Legacy Campaign goes immediately to the five global mission projects. 

One of our global partners in Cambodia, Agape International Mission (AIM), recently carried out a rescue operation they codenamed the Legacy Raid, funded by this campaign. In that operation, one brothel owner was arrested, and ten young women were rescued out of trafficking!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Frequently Asked questions

God is blessing Calvary with growth that we must steward faithfully. Our facilities are approaching capacity, our mission partners are experiencing breakthrough, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the next fifty years of ministry.

This amount reflects the actual cost of the projects we’re undertaking including remodeling, new construction, and global missions projects. Every budget has been carefully planned and represents genuine ministry need.

We’re trusting God for full funding, but we’ll be wise stewards regardless of the outcome. Projects have been prioritized, and we’ll build as funds allow. We believe God will provide everything we need.

The Legacy Campaign is above and beyond regular giving.

We’re asking everyone to make special three-year commitments specifically for this campaign while continuing their normal tithes and offerings.

Absolutely. We can accept gifts of stock, real estate, retirement account distributions, and other non-cash assets. Contact our finance team to discuss your specific situation at finance@calvarywestlake.org

We’re asking everyone to consider what God would have them give over the next three years (April 2026-April 2029), specifically for the Legacy Campaign. You’ll indicate your total commitment and then fulfill it through regular giving over that period.

We understand life is unpredictable. Your commitment is between you and God—we simply ask that you prayerfully consider what you can give and trust God with the rest.

Pray and ask God what He’s calling you to give. Some will give sacrificially beyond what seems comfortable. Others will give what they’re able. There’s no prescribed amount-just faithful obedience to what God is asking.

Missions investments will be deployed as funds are received. Some projects (like Bible distribution) can begin immediately, while others (like building projects) will follow their own timelines.

We encourage giving to the entire campaign vision. However, if you have a particular passion (children’s ministry, missions, etc.), contact our team to discuss designation options.

Absolutely. All donations to Calvary are kept confidential.

Calvary’s intent is to use designated and temporary restricted funds for the purpose to which they were given. Excess or unused funds will be applied to other projects with a similar purpose at Calvary’s discretion.

Give what you can! In the Bible, Jesus honors the generosity of a woman who gives all she has, even though it looks small in the eyes of the world (Mark 12:41-44). When you give, God sees and celebrates the heart of the giver more than the size of the gift.

No. Zero dollars from this campaign will go to staff salaries. All the money will be directed toward the projects named above.

Our goal is to finish this campaign with no long-term debt. We may use a short-term construction loan to begin building once permits are secured and before costs rise, but we will ultimately proceed at a pace of our available cash.

We may add services if needed, but that does not solve our primary challenge. The vast majority of activity on our campus happens during the week through the Preschool, Special Abilities programming, local outreach, Bible studies, memorials, and more. This campaign addresses those needs and allows us to grow not only on Sundays, but throughout the week. 

We do have plans to address parking. Because of your generosity over the past year, funding is already secured, plans are in the city approval process, and we are excited to move forward when that is finalized. No Legacy Campaign dollars will be used for the parking expansion project.

Plans are already in place, and once again, this project is already funded. We will move forward at the right time alongside these broader improvements. No Legacy Campaign dollars will be allocated to the Worship Center sound system project.

Yes, completely. In our 2030 Vision magazine, we outlined the exact priorities now being fulfilled through the Legacy Campaign. We are in what we called “1,000 days of building,” a focused season of expanding our campus, our reach, and our ministry impact.

Have a question not answered here? You can connect with our campaign team by emailing us at legacy@calvarywestlake.org

Dear Calvary Family,

Fifty years ago, a small group of men and women stepped out in faith to restart a struggling church. They trusted God with big vision, bold faith, and deep sacrifice. Today, we worship in the church they built. We benefit from the ministries they launched. We stand on the foundation they laid.

Our church is what it is because they believed God for immeasurably more than all they could ask or imagine.
They left a legacy of faith for generations to come.

Now, it’s our turn.

This is the blueprint for the Legacy Campaign, which represents a pivotal moment in Calvary’s 50-year history. As we celebrate God’s faithfulness over five decades, we are uniquely positioned to shape our future through strategic investments that will multiply our ministry impact, for generations to come. In the years to come, souls will be saved, people will be baptized, believers will be discipled, families will be strengthened, and the Gospel will go forth to the ends of the earth, because of what God can do through His people through this campaign.

God is blessing Calvary in powerful ways. Young families are joining in record numbers. Our Preschool, Early Childhood, and Elementary spaces are filling up. Our Special Abilities Ministry continues to flourish, adult discipleship is thriving, and our global partners are advancing the Gospel in places like Iran, South Asia, Cambodia, Uganda, and Latin America.

When God blesses, our response could only be faithful obedience. The Legacy Campaign is our opportunity to respond with bold faith to celebrate His faithfulness in the past and to prepare for what He will do in the future.

Together, by God’s grace, we will:

  • Expand Children’s Ministry Facilities to reach
    and serve more families
  • Create Adult Discipleship Environments to
    catalyze spiritual growth for all ages
  • Build a Reverent Chapel Space for weddings,
    memorials, and worship
  • Strengthen Global Missions Partnerships that
    advance the Gospel worldwide

My family has committed to giving sacrificially to this campaign. Our elders and staff have already committed to doing the same. Our leadership is not asking anyone to do anything we’re not doing ourselves. We believe in this vision. We believe God is in this. And we believe the best days of Calvary are still to come.

Fifty years ago, a small group took a risk. They left a legacy of faith for generations to follow.

Now we have the opportunity to do the same and leave a similar legacy for generations to come.

Let’s celebrate our past, shape our future, and honor the God who has sustained us through it all.

Grace and Peace,

Brian Howard

Senior Pastor at Calvary Community Church

Day 1: Pray That They Will Know Jesus

Scripture to Read

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3

Things to Remember

  1. Your greatest hope for your child is not simply that they are successful, safe, happy, or well behaved. It is that they know Jesus.
  2. You can teach them about God, bring them to church, and model faith for them, but only God can transform their heart.


Prayers to Pray

  1. Jesus, help them know You. Open their eyes to see who You are and draw them into a genuine relationship with You.
  2. Jesus, help them love You. May their faith become more than knowledge, tradition, or something inherited from our family.
  3. Jesus, help them follow You. Give them a lifelong desire to trust You, obey You, and walk with You.