Hilltop Baptist Church is moving forward with a multi-purpose building designed to expand ministry opportunities, strengthen community connections, and steward God’s provision with wisdom and care.
This project is being approached in clearly defined phases, with financial checkpoints that ensure each step moves forward only when the resources for that phase are available. The goal is not simply to construct a building, but to create a flexible space that supports teaching, fellowship, outreach, and service for years to come.
Below you will find an overview of the project, current progress, and information on how the church is proceeding thoughtfully and transparently.
Purpose of the Project
The purpose of the Multi-Purpose Building Project is to create space that enables the church to more fully live out its calling. Rather than focusing on the building itself, the emphasis is on what the space makes possible—teaching, mentoring, fellowship, service, and outreach that support spiritual growth and community life.
Throughout Scripture, God’s work often unfolds through faithful planting and watering, with growth ultimately coming from Him. In that same spirit, this building is intended to serve as a place where people can invest their gifts, relationships, and time in ways that allow God to bring the increase.
The design of the building reflects this purpose. It is flexible, modest in scale, and focused on function rather than excess, ensuring that the space remains adaptable to a wide range of ministry and community uses over time.
Project Overview
The Multi-Purpose Building is designed to provide a flexible, functional space that supports a wide range of ministry and community activities. Rather than a single-use facility, the building is intended to adapt to changing needs while remaining focused on stewardship and long-term sustainability.
The current design reflects a careful balance between ministry goals, cost control, and practical use. After evaluating a significantly larger and more complex initial design, the church adopted a scaled-down plan that preserves the core components of the original vision while reducing both the overall footprint and cost.
Key features of the project include:
- A multi-use gymnasium and large gathering/event space
- A stage suitable for teaching, presentations, concerts, and special events
- A mezzanine overlooking the main event space, providing additional viewing and flexible use
- Classrooms and meeting areas for teaching and mentoring
- A food preparation area to support fellowship meals and events
- Infrastructure to support sports, recreation, and audio-visual needs
- A phased construction approach that allows the building to be completed responsibly as funds become available
The final design was approved following extensive prayer, review, and congregational input, ensuring the project remains aligned with the church’s mission and commitment to wise stewardship.
Phases & Financial Checkpoints
The Multi-Purpose Building Project is being completed in clearly defined phases. Before each phase begins, the church pauses at a financial checkpoint to confirm that costs are accurate and that sufficient funds are available to proceed responsibly.
Each checkpoint serves as a prayerful and practical pause. Costs are reviewed, fundraising progress is evaluated, and the congregation is asked to approve moving forward only when the funds required for the next phase have been fully provided. This approach allows the church to move forward by faith while remaining grounded in wisdom and accountability.
Project Phases and Checkpoints:
Phase 1 – Storm Water & Engineering
Checkpoint: $55,000
Status: Approved and in progress
Phase 2a – Building Shell & Site Preparation
Checkpoint 1: $500,000 (Building purchase and site preparation)
Phase 2b – Building Erection
Checkpoint 2: $163,352 (Completion of building construction)
Phase 3 – Interior Buildout
Checkpoint 3: $438,198
Phase 4 – Gym Floor
Checkpoint 4: $84,000
Phase 5 – Equipment, Furniture & Appliances
Checkpoint 5: $38,450
The church will not proceed beyond any checkpoint unless the funds required for the next phase have been raised or adjusted to reflect updated costs. This process ensures transparency, congregational involvement, and financial integrity at every step.
How Decisions Are Made
Decisions related to the Multi-Purpose Building Project are made through a shared process that emphasizes congregational involvement, leadership oversight, and financial responsibility.
Major decisions—including whether to proceed beyond each financial checkpoint—are brought to the congregation for approval. Leadership and the Building Committee are responsible for reviewing costs, validating assumptions, and ensuring that recommendations brought forward reflect both prayerful discernment and wise stewardship.
The church has committed to moving forward without incurring debt. Each phase proceeds only when the funds required for that phase are available, allowing progress to continue responsibly and transparently.
This process ensures that the project remains aligned with the church’s mission, reflects the will of the congregation, and honors the trust placed in church leadership.
Current Progress
The project is currently in Phase 1, with storm water planning and engineering underway. Fundraising is focused on the next financial checkpoint, which will allow the church to proceed with the building phase once the required funds are available.
Progress updates will continue to be shared regularly as the project moves forward.
How to Participate
Participation in the Multi-Purpose Building Project is invited prayerfully and personally. Each person and family is encouraged to seek God’s direction regarding their involvement, whether through prayer, financial giving, or encouragement.
Some may feel led to give financially at this time, others at a later point, and some not at all. Choosing not to participate financially is not viewed as a lack of faith or obedience. Each response is a personal matter between the individual and God.
For those who do choose to give, contributions may be designated specifically to the Multi-Purpose Building Project and aligned with the project’s phased approach.
Ways to Give
Gifts toward the Multi-Purpose Building Project may be given in the following ways. Please designate your gift specifically for the building project.
Check or Cash
Checks may be made payable to Hilltop Baptist Church.
Please note “Multi-Purpose Building Project” in the memo line.
Text to Give – Now Available
If you have questions about giving methods or designations, please contact the Raymond Smith via email: [email protected] or call or text to (214) 505-9014.
Questions or Conversations
If you would like additional information or would like to talk through the project in more detail, we welcome those conversations. Questions, feedback, and thoughtful discussion are an important part of this process.
You are welcome to reach out to either of the following to schedule a face-to-face conversation or ask questions:
Pastor Max
Cell: (814) 598-1600
Raymond Smith
Building Committee Chair
Cell: 214-505-9014
Email: [email protected]
There is no expectation or pressure to participate financially in order to ask questions or engage in conversation. We are grateful for the time, prayer, and care of the church family as this project moves forward.