Project 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). This is Project 2:42 at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church! Keep reading to learn more about the project and to see how you can be involved!
What is Project 2:42?
In short, Project 2:42 is a building expansion project to add additional classrooms and teaching space to LEFC's facility. But it's more than a building project. It's a faith journey and an invitation to devote yourself to prayer as you seek God's leading. Keep reading to learn more!
LEFC moved into its new, expanded facilities in March of 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since reopening, we have experienced 4 years of explosive growth, which has resulted in the “wonderful problem” of lacking classroom space churchwide. In addition, our parking lot has become inadequate to meet the needs of our church body on a typical Sunday morning. While exploring possible solutions to our growth challenges, the Elders and Pastoral Team resoundingly decided that we cannot and will not compromise our church’s commitment to Biblical teaching across all age groups. Therefore, our best option is to pursue another building expansion to provide adequate classrooms and parking space to maintain Biblical teaching during both Sunday morning services.
On May 19, 2024, during our congregational church gathering, those in attendance voted in full agreement to move forward with design plans, contractor bidding, and final pricing. This vision for expansion is named Project 2:42, taken from the description of the early church in Acts 2:42 (NIV): “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
As we have come up against challenges in regard to space on a Sunday morning, it has become clear that the cause of these challenges is directly related to our commitment to being a Bible teaching church. Our Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) are a significant way that we provide in-depth teaching of scripture, and they have grown significantly over the past few years—to the point that the rooms they meet in are bursting at the seams. And as new ABFs form, a need has arisen for more rooms to be available.
The growth we have experienced in our ABFs has also had a direct impact on our Children's Ministry. The demographic that has contributed the most to LEFC’s growth has been families with young children, and many of those parents have begun regularly attending one of our ABFs. This means that while the parents attend the corporate gathering during one service time and attend their ABF during the other service time, their kids are attending a Children's Ministry class during both service times. When you consider that many of these 500–600 children are attending classes during both services, the need for more space becomes very apparent.
At the end of the day, being a Teaching Church is so core to LEFC’s way of doing ministry that it is not something our church is willing to compromise. This means adding an extension to our children's wing to allow for more classrooms, as well as an extension to our basement to allow for more ABF classrooms. The basement extension would also include a new space for our 5th and 6th Graders (G56), so that all of Student Ministries can meet in the same area of the building.
The need is great, just as it was when we started our previous building project, Creating Space/ Expecting Harvest, back in 2017. God graciously and generously led the people of LEFC through a season of giving as we gathered funds for that project. But we feel God guiding us differently as we approach this next expansion. Instead of focusing on gathering funds via multi-year pledges, we feel called to focus on inquiring of the Lord.
Allow us to explain the heart behind this approach... In 2 Samuel 5, we read that shortly after David had been anointed king of Israel, the Philistines launched an attack against him in the Valley of Rephaim. Before preparing a defense, King David inquired of the Lord, asking if he should lead his army into a counter-attack, and God answered in the affirmative. David led the Israelites into battle, and God delivered the Philistine army into his hands. A huge victory! But later, the Philistines rallied and again advanced upon Israel in the Valley of Rephaim. It would seem logical and appropriate for David to, without hesitation, attack the Philistines head on since God had certainly blessed and rewarded their efforts the first time. But David stopped to pray and once again inquired of the Lord. This time, God directed David differently. He instructed David to circle his army around behind the Philistines and attack from the poplar trees in the back. And true to His word, God provided another commanding victory.
Taking our cue from King David, we have committed to inquire of the Lord as we enter this next season in LEFC’s story. But this story, we have come to realize, isn’t about a building. It’s about people. It’s about you! We invite you to join us on this faith journey—committing ourselves to ongoing prayer for the needs of LEFC as we continue to grow and inviting God to direct our next steps.
Instead of asking for multi-year financial pledge cards, we invite you to commit to inquiring of the Lord on an ongoing basis for your next steps in how to give. Dedicate yourself to ongoing prayer for Project 2:42 and ask that He would guide your giving, trusting that He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever imagine with our hands and hearts opened to Him. Pray also for God to create within our church body a spirit of unity with hearts tender to His leading and committed to stewarding His gifts well.
Though we are not looking to collect financial pledge cards, ultimately, expanding our church building will require funds. As we look at dedicated giving from now through December 31, 2027, we have, after much prayer, set two goals:
- Our “Faith Goal” is $5,000,000. This includes the new wing to our facility dedicated to teaching space for children, youth, and adults.
- Our “Wow, Only God! Goal" is $9,000,000, which includes the new wing, additional parking, and pays off our current mortgage.
Will you commit to inquiring of the Lord for your next steps with Project 2:42? Ask for His guidance as you consider giving to this project - pray and obey! And above all, pray that the gifts that are given bring glory to God, pointing people to Jesus and expanding His Kingdom!
announcing project 2:42
Check out the video below to hear Pastor Tony share the heart and vision for Project 2:42!
prayer warriors
We are creating a team of prayer warriors for Project 2:42! Will you join us by devoting yourself to prayer for God's leading as LEFC looks to add more teaching space to our facility? Team members will receive weekly emails with prayer points so that we can bathe this project in prayer together. Click the image below to join the prayer warrior team!
tent event
Save the date! On Saturday, October 26, LEFC will be hosting a Tent Event to share the vision for Project 2:42, and we want YOU to come! The event will include a catered dinner, fellowship, vision-casting, and a dedicated time of prayer. More information and registration coming soon!