The Local Initiative - Ocean City Church

We're out of space, lack parking, and our building has been sold for redevelopment. With a short- term lease and limited room, it's time to move. God has opened the door at Atlantic Theaters, giving us space to grow and a long-term home.

Yes. We've pursued numerous leads over the years. The opportunity to move into the Atlantic Theaters is the first space that checks all the boxes: room to grow, a layout that supports our setup, and ample parking. It's the right fit at the right time.

Yes, we've explored purchasing, but there's virtually no available land to develop at the beach. A long-term lease at Atlantic Theaters is the most practical and strategic option. The landlord is also open to a future purchase if we decide to move in that direction.

We understand the concern about investing in a space that might not be permanent. At the end of our 15-year lease, we may have the option to purchase the property. But whatever the future holds, our focus is not on ownership. We are stewards of what God gives us and where He places us, investing in His mission rather than claiming it as ours.

Church planting has always been part of our heartbeat. Our church is the result of a church plant, and we continue to pray that God would lead us to support and send out a healthy church plant in the future. Right now. our focus is on creating space locally, but multiplication remains part of our long-term vision.

We don’t have a set move-in date yet. Construction timelines can shift, and we’ll keep everyone updated each step of the way. Take a look at the PHASE section on this site for the latest updates!

We're approaching this expansion with wisdom and care. Our Finance Committee and Building Committee are actively involved in reviewing plans, costs, and timelines to ensure we stay within our means. We've also engaged financial and construction experts to guide the process wisely.

Because we've seen it before! When we catch a God-sized vision, our church responds with faith and surrender. LOCAL is about owning the mission and investing locally because we believe God is at work here for our community, families, and future generations.

No. This is a one-fund initiative, which means all giving goes into one shared fund that supports both current ministries and our renovation and move to Atlantic Theaters. Ministry continues to thrive while we grow.

It's a simple tool to help you plan your generosity over the two-year giving period. Filling one out helps us plan responsibly as a church. It's between you and God, but it also fuels a shared vision.

We believe in using debt sparingly and strategically. Biblically, debt is not a sin, but it's a burden. We're committed to staying financially healthy, flexible, and wise.

Currently, we have no debt. As we move forward with the expansion, some financing will be necessary, but it will be strategic, manageable, and short-term. Our commitment is to stay financially healthy so ministry always comes first.

We've worked with professionals to estimate realistic costs. As we move forward, we'll refine budgets and ensure our giving pace supports the plan.

We are committed to transparency, accountability, and wise stewardship. Our Finance Committee carefully oversees all funds, and we will keep you informed with regular updates throughout the initiative. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

We've been praying for years about what's next for our church family, asking God to lead. We trust that the timing of our need to move and the opportunity at Atlantic Theaters was no coincidence. Our leadership feels strongly that this is where He's leading us, and we're saying yes.

A one-fund model means that instead of giving to separate buckets-like one for the building and one for regular ministry-every dollar given goes into a single, unified fund. This reflects the reality that everything we do is part of one mission. Your giving supports both the day-to-day ministry of our church and the expansion into our new space. It's all one vision-and we're all in it together.

Because it keeps the focus on the big picture. Whether someone gives $100 or $10,000, they're investing in everything God is doing through our church, not just a line item.

Yes, during the LOCAL initiative, we will not be taking separate special offerings or designated gifts. Instead, we're inviting everyone to give toward one shared vision to keep us united and focused. At the same time, we're increasing budget support for ministries like Groundswell and others that traditionally receive special offerings so those ministries continue to grow and thrive as part of our overall generosity. This approach helps us give more intentionally and generously across the whole church.