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Faith Ignited at Hope South Campus

2021 was an exciting year for Hope Lutheran Church! We have begun to realize our dream of spreading the Good News of the Gospel to the southern portion of The Villages through the development of our preliminary building plans for Hope South Campus.


The Building Committee interviewed several architectural firms and, in January 2021, Dickerson Architects of Leesburg was hired to provide some initial designs for the church facilities on our southern property. Dickerson Architects has experience designing churches around The Villages and has a good working relationship with our community.


In May 2021, Dickerson Architects produced two early design schemes; however, after review from the Church Council, it was determined these schemes were not realistic from both a size and cost perspective. The Building Committee then got to work on developing guidelines for a project smaller in size and scope.


In August 2021, the Strategic Planning Committee was created to supervise the increased project complexity and activity for the Hope South Campus building project. They began gathering information for the preparation of preliminary design plans. To give input on the design, structure, functions, and operations of the buildings, four subcommittees were created:

1 - Worship/Music, 2 - Administrative/Education, 3 - Fellowship/Recreation, and 4 - Outdoor/Maintenance.


The members of the initial Building Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the four Subcommittees engaged in many hours of work in research, gathering data, visiting area churches, and discussing design plans. This was a tremendous and intensive work effort by all members.


As a result of the work of this committee structure, recommendations were presented to the Church Council for review and approval. The Church Council recently approved proposals from Dickerson Architects to develop preliminary design plans, which include the following two projects, to be processed at the same time:


1: PHASE ONE - The Activity Center. A small, permanent multi-purpose building of approximately 1,500sf to provide a presence and meeting space on Hope South Campus property. The Activity Center would be in use and functioning throughout the construction of the Main Church Project.


2: PHASE TWO - Main Church Project. A permanent church campus complex with an initial two Building/Courtyard concept of approximately 25,000sf with expansion options, including the construction of a third building as the need arises in the future.


Information about the Hope South Campus Building Project will be sent to all members of the congregation on a regular basis through emails and News in the Pews. A Hope South Campus webpage will be added to our church website soon to help us share more information.


Further plans will be presented to the congregation in Spring 2022.


This is an exciting time for Hope Lutheran Church, and we look enthusiastically toward our dream of constructing Hope South Campus. NOW is the time for our members to become excited and involved in this building process!


If you would like to get involved in the Hope South Campus building project, here are some ways you can volunteer:


  1. Attend the Dedication Service of Hope South Campus, which will be scheduled before Easter 2022.
  2. Join a committee or subcommittee. Currently, we have a special need for additional Publicity and Fundraising volunteers.
  3. Give us your input about our preliminary plans when they are presented later this Spring. Feedback will be vital to the success of the building project.
  4. Participate in the Feasibility Study, which will be conducted after design plans are presented to the congregation. GSB Fundraising Group has been hired to evaluate the potential financial support for the Hope South Campus Building Project. Mike Ward of GSB, a Lutheran Minister and friend of our Synod, has worked with Hope on several stewardship projects.


As I stated at the Annual Meeting, Hope is a unique and special community of faith. Let's work together to put our faith into action at Hope South Campus. Join us as we blaze a trail of hope and love throughout the southern Villages.


Blessings to all,


Bob O'Dell

Chair, Executive Team

Hope Strategic Planning Committee

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Hope Lutheran Church

250 Avenida los Angelos, The Villages, FL 32162

(352) 750-2321 hope4all.church