How One Church Funded Growth While Eliminating Debt

A Midwest church found a way to expand ministry impact, unite their congregation, and strengthen financial health, all without letting debt hold them back.

Every church dreams of expanding its reach to meet growing ministry demands. But what happens when that growth is overshadowed by existing debt?

That’s exactly what one thriving church in a fast-growing Midwest community faced. Their facilities could no longer keep up with their congregation’s growth. They needed a new worship center and a renovated children’s space, but they were still carrying significant debt from earlier projects.

Leaders feared that talking about new giving while acknowledging current debt would discourage the congregation. They worried people might resist contributing to both needs at once. And they knew building trust would be essential.

The Challenge:

• Significant Existing Debt — Fear that donors would resist giving toward both debt reduction and expansion.

• Leadership Anxiety — Worries that money conversations might discourage the congregation.

• Complex Needs — Balancing urgency for growth with responsible stewardship.

• Trust Barriers — Congregants needed assurance that resources would be handled transparently and faithfully.
  

The Turning Point: Leading with Vision, Not Debt

The leadership team partnered with Elevate Group to frame the vision clearly, putting God’s mission - not financial burdens - at the center. Rather than focusing on numbers, they painted a picture of lives being changed through expanded ministry.

They built trust through transparency, communicating clearly about how every dollar toward debt would multiply future ministry impact. And they equipped their team with the right systems, resources, and language to inspire confidence.

The Results:

• Over 70% of the debt eliminated while simultaneously funding new facilities.

• A new worship center and renovated children’s space built to serve their growing community.

• A congregation united around mission and vision, shifting conversations from fear to faith.

• Long-term financial health secured through systems that linked stewardship with discipleship.

• Increased trust and engagement through transparent communication and faithful action.

This church accomplished what once seemed impossible—building for the future while eliminating most of its debt. When vision leads, generosity follows.

👉 Download the full case study to learn how your church can expand its impact while tackling financial barriers.