Building Update 05.11.25
Building Update 05.11.25
Dear Church Family,
We want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and investment in what God is doing through Stonehill Church. God has been moving in powerful ways, and we want to celebrate that with you.
Celebrations
Over the past three years, we’ve seen over 450 baptisms and 350 decisions to follow Christ. That’s incredible—and it’s happening because of God’s goodness and your faithfulness. Your time, generosity, and prayers are making a real difference.
As for the building project—we’ve officially selected a lender for the loan! After reviewing several offers, we’re excited about the direction and hope to close within the next 60 days. Your faithful giving put us in a strong position to negotiate and receive competitive offers. Thank you!
We’ve also pre-purchased key materials—like the metal structure, piping, and conduit—locking in prices and avoiding major cost increases from inflation and tariffs. This strategic move saved the church between 9–13%. A big win!
We want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and investment in what God is doing through Stonehill Church. God has been moving in powerful ways, and we want to celebrate that with you.
Celebrations
Over the past three years, we’ve seen over 450 baptisms and 350 decisions to follow Christ. That’s incredible—and it’s happening because of God’s goodness and your faithfulness. Your time, generosity, and prayers are making a real difference.
As for the building project—we’ve officially selected a lender for the loan! After reviewing several offers, we’re excited about the direction and hope to close within the next 60 days. Your faithful giving put us in a strong position to negotiate and receive competitive offers. Thank you!
We’ve also pre-purchased key materials—like the metal structure, piping, and conduit—locking in prices and avoiding major cost increases from inflation and tariffs. This strategic move saved the church between 9–13%. A big win!
Building Timeline
Praise God—our building plans are nearly fully approved by the city, and financing will be in place soon. Almost everything is ready to go, but sewer access continues to hold us up.
Up until a couple of months ago, we believed everything was in place and had received the green light following final plat approval. However, we've since run into permitting delays due to coordination issues with other developments outside of our control.
Two possible sewer routes we’re asking you to pray for...
OPTION 1:
The first option, coming from the northeast, depends on securing an easement from a second landowner. In the image below, the property on the right is owned by a developer where the sewer line originates (the green line). This is the developer who has told us we can obtain an easement to access sewer for our property.
However, the irrigation district has mandated that the developer relocate their roadway and sewer to avoid interference with an existing irrigation canal. This change now requires the developer to obtain an easement from the neighboring property to the west (Private Property). For this route to work, the private landowner on the left must grant an easement for both the road and sewer.
Until that happens—and the road and sewer plans are redesigned and approved by the city—we are not permitted to begin construction. At this point, we are waiting on both the landowner and the developer to move forward with a decision. Please pray that would happen quickly.
Praise God—our building plans are nearly fully approved by the city, and financing will be in place soon. Almost everything is ready to go, but sewer access continues to hold us up.
Up until a couple of months ago, we believed everything was in place and had received the green light following final plat approval. However, we've since run into permitting delays due to coordination issues with other developments outside of our control.
Two possible sewer routes we’re asking you to pray for...
OPTION 1:
The first option, coming from the northeast, depends on securing an easement from a second landowner. In the image below, the property on the right is owned by a developer where the sewer line originates (the green line). This is the developer who has told us we can obtain an easement to access sewer for our property.
However, the irrigation district has mandated that the developer relocate their roadway and sewer to avoid interference with an existing irrigation canal. This change now requires the developer to obtain an easement from the neighboring property to the west (Private Property). For this route to work, the private landowner on the left must grant an easement for both the road and sewer.
Until that happens—and the road and sewer plans are redesigned and approved by the city—we are not permitted to begin construction. At this point, we are waiting on both the landowner and the developer to move forward with a decision. Please pray that would happen quickly.
OPTION 2:
The second option is from the southeast, but it requires both an easement from a private landowner and for two other developments to submit site plans that include a sewer connection to our property. Unfortunately, those timelines are uncertain—it could move quickly, or it could take more time.
As you can see in the image below, the sewer line would run from the privately owned property in the bottom right corner, then head north and west toward our site. We’re praying that the owner of this property will agree to grant the necessary sewer easement. In the past, he has declined similar requests for reasons we don’t fully know. Please join us in praying that God would move in his heart to make a way forward.
The second option is from the southeast, but it requires both an easement from a private landowner and for two other developments to submit site plans that include a sewer connection to our property. Unfortunately, those timelines are uncertain—it could move quickly, or it could take more time.
As you can see in the image below, the sewer line would run from the privately owned property in the bottom right corner, then head north and west toward our site. We’re praying that the owner of this property will agree to grant the necessary sewer easement. In the past, he has declined similar requests for reasons we don’t fully know. Please join us in praying that God would move in his heart to make a way forward.
We’re open to either option—we just need a clear path forward. We're praying that one of these routes opens up soon. We’re hopeful and feel that progress is coming, but the exact timeline remains uncertain.
Frustrated but Hopeful
Honestly, this process has been hard—and at times, frustrating. For us, for our team, and likely for many of you. We’re ready to build. We’re excited. And we’re incredibly grateful for how much you’ve already invested to get us to this point.
But here’s what we know: God’s timing is perfect. He’s been faithful through every step of this journey, even when things haven’t gone the way we would’ve preferred. And every single week, He reminds us that He doesn’t need a building to move through Stonehill. Lives are being changed—right now.
What can you do?
PRAY. We serve an incredible God, and He is present in this situation! Please pray that a clear path for sewer access opens up—and soon. Pray for the lives being impacted through this ministry, and for continued unity and perseverance as we move forward.
If you’ve been giving toward the building, thank you! Your generosity is making a real difference and will help reduce future overhead once we break ground. If you haven’t started giving yet, we’d love to invite you to jump in and be part of what God is building—both physically and spiritually.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or our Elders at elders@stonehill.church. Thanks for being on this journey with us!
Doug Connelly
Lead Pastor
Frustrated but Hopeful
Honestly, this process has been hard—and at times, frustrating. For us, for our team, and likely for many of you. We’re ready to build. We’re excited. And we’re incredibly grateful for how much you’ve already invested to get us to this point.
But here’s what we know: God’s timing is perfect. He’s been faithful through every step of this journey, even when things haven’t gone the way we would’ve preferred. And every single week, He reminds us that He doesn’t need a building to move through Stonehill. Lives are being changed—right now.
What can you do?
PRAY. We serve an incredible God, and He is present in this situation! Please pray that a clear path for sewer access opens up—and soon. Pray for the lives being impacted through this ministry, and for continued unity and perseverance as we move forward.
If you’ve been giving toward the building, thank you! Your generosity is making a real difference and will help reduce future overhead once we break ground. If you haven’t started giving yet, we’d love to invite you to jump in and be part of what God is building—both physically and spiritually.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me or our Elders at elders@stonehill.church. Thanks for being on this journey with us!
Doug Connelly
Lead Pastor
Posted in Building Update