RENEW
Made New to Make New
WHAT IS THE RENEW CAMPAIGN?
Renew is a campaign of Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch to fund the completion of our Cornerstone campus.
In 2023, we launched the RENEW Campaign in keeping with Cornerstone’s ongoing commitment to grow a community in which our faith is nurtured, the love of Jesus is experienced, and the Gospel is extended to our neighbors. This next step in Cornerstone’s history starts with the completion of a 500 seat Sanctuary. Our current worship center will then be transformed into a youth center, which allows for new possibilities for connecting teens in our community with the Gospel. The build out of our 2,000 square foot mezzanine will provide indispensable space for spiritual formation, gatherings, and events.
The launch of the RENEW campaign is guided by three priorities: SANCTUARY - YOUTH - SPIRITUAL FORMATION
Watch the RENEW Campaign video
Check out this video featuring some of our Cornerstone kids!
Renderings provided by Architects, Hall Darling Design Studio who worked on our Cornerstone building project in 2019. We are excited to be working with them again! We have also hired MS&E (McIntyre Elwell & Strammer) as our General Contractors for the project!
SANCTUARY & FIRST FLOOR
Seating capacity of the Sanctuary will be 500 people, meeting the needs of a growing community; Cushioned pews; All new Audio Visual system and acoustics; Church calendar art installations; New sanctuary entrance; New cry room that can be converted to a bridal suite; New Elevator and Stairs that leads to the mezzanine; Much needed storage; Potential kitchen addition for catering purposes; Remodeled nursery rooms; Future concert venue.
All images are subject to change and are not final.
MEZZANINE
2 Classrooms to hold 25 people and 80 people, respectively; Upstairs bathroom; Hospitality kitchenette for events/classes
YOUTH CENTER
Worship Center repurposed for our youth to include larger classrooms, game area, and refreshed worship space.
VISION CAMPAIGN SERMON SERIES
APRIL 16 - JUNE 4
Do we have a heart and a vision for a place of worship? Do we believe in the importance of place? Through this sermon series, our goal is to have a God shaped vision for this church, particularly the building of our Sanctuary, informed by Scripture. Join us as our imagination for sacred space is formed in the study of Exodus, Haggai, Zechariah and 1 Chronicles.
The tabernacle was given by God as a display of truth. Each item in the tabernacle served as a visual aid reminding God’s people of his character, comforting them with his grace, and assuring them of the hope he extends to sinners. This print illustrates all the different pieces in the tabernacle and shows that each piece symbolized the sinner’s need, God’s temporary provision, and greater fulfillment in the coming Messiah. **content provided by visualtheology.church**
The temple is a rich biblical image, describing the place where God and humanity overlap.
CAMPAIGN RESOURCES
21-DAY DEVOTIONAL
We invite you on a 21 day devotional journey as Cornerstone of Lakewood Ranch fulfills God's plan for His people, His church, His Kingdom. Through these words from our brothers and sisters, we pray that the Holy Spirit, will unite our spiritual family on our journey to build on to our church home. We hope this devotional will assist you in your own prayer life as you consider how the Lord is calling you to further His kingdom in the community through the ministries of Cornerstone.
CAMPAIGN BROCHURE
As we enter into our fourth decade here at Cornerstone, we are excited to launch this campaign. Please use this brochure to read about our story, see plans for the building and where where the Gospel is creating new opportunities for Cornerstone!
FAMILY CAMPAIGN GUIDE
This guide will serve as a way for our families to experience the transformative power of God during the Renew capital campaign. We want to encourage you to purposefully set side time to walk together, as a family, through this discussion guide. Thank you to our Children's Director, Phillip Lawrence for this update!
GIVING TO THE CAMPAIGN
ways to give
All gifts for the Cornerstone RENEW campaign will be placed into the Cornerstone Future Building Fund, a custodial fund held by the PCA Foundation and professionally managed while the funds await expenditure. You may give directly to PCAFoundation for the benefit of the Cornerstone Future Building Fund in the following ways:
GIVING ONLINE
To begin giving to the RENEW campaign via online, click the button below. The RENEW campaign spans June 4th - June 4 2026 . You will have four calendar years or tax years to make a 3 year commitment.
GIVING BY CHECK
Please mail all checks for the RENEW campaign to the PCA Foundation. Checks can be made payable to “Presbyterian Church in America Foundation, Inc.” Indicate “Fund #10600” on the memo line. Mail to: PCA Foundation, 1700 North Brown Road, Suite 103, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
GIVING BY CASH
We understand we will have some families and maybe those with children who would like to participate in the campaign with cash. So that these funds get applied to our RENEW fund by way of the PCA Foundation, please put all cash/coins in an envelope marked "CAMPAIGN" or "RENEW" and indicate “Fund #10600.” Place in the offering box.
GIVING STOCKS AND OTHER APPRECIATE ASSETS
Giving stocks and other appreciate assets, please contact PCA Foundation at 1-800-700-3221.
GIVING REAL ESTATE, PRIVATE BUSINESS HOLDINGS, AND OTHER NON-CASH ASSETS
Highly-appreciated non-cash assets might include all or part of your stock or other interest in a privately-held business such as an S corporation, limited liability company (LLC), or limited partnership (LP). They might include all or part of your interest in real estate. When you give highly-appreciated assets before sale, rather than first selling them and giving the cash proceeds, you effectively receive a double tax deduction. Here’s how: (i) you avoid the capital gain on the assets you give (the equivalent of a deduction), and (ii) you actually deduct the full fair market value of the assets, including that capital gain, against your other income. Double the tax deduction, and double the tax savings. Increase the amount you otherwise would give by up to 25% or more merely by changing what you give. And the increase in your giving comes by decreasing your taxes owed rather than further reducing your family’s financial resources.
Contact Tim Townsend, the President of PCAF, (678) 825-1050 or . Reach out to Tim to learn (free of charge) how giving these appreciated non-cash assets can greatly increase your tax savings and your charitable impact.
QUESTIONS?
WHY IS THERE A LARGE UNFINISHED SPACE IN THE CURRENT BUILDING IN THE FIRST PLACE?
We are thankful for those who came before us and had the foresight to build a 10k sq. ft. shell in anticipation of the church’s future growth. The Lord prepared this portion of the building knowing when and how it was going to be complete. Without this pre-existing space building a sanctuary would be considerably more than $5million.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS PROJECT NOW?
In uncertain economic times where we hope for a return on our other investments what better time than now to make an investment in which the return is certain in the Kingdom of God.
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT & WHEN WILL WE BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THE SPACE?
Estimates suggest that the project will cost upward of $5 million dollars. We hope to have pricing finalized in the next 6-8 weeks. While we don't know exactly when renovations will begin, there is a possibility we could be worshiping in the new Sanctuary by December 2024.
WHEN CAN I START CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAMPAIGN?
We truly want our community to experience God during this process. As such, we are not asking for congregation-wide commitments until after you have the opportunity to enter into a period of discernment. Before giving, we ask that you review the Commitment Guide and then let us know your intentions through the online commitment form (available soon). Commitment Sunday is May 21st, at which time you will you will bring your commitment card to worship.
We will begin receiving contributions on June 4th, celebration Sunday. The RENEW campaign spans June 4th (Celebration Sunday) - June 4 2026 . You will have four calendar years or tax years to make a 3 year commitment.
IS THERE A MORE COST EFFICIENT WAY TO APPROACH THE PROJECT?
Throughout the Cornerstone campus we have embraced a theocentric vs. utilitarian philosophy in church design. Church design historically reflected the theology of the church. Good architectural design is not essential for salvation, but good architecture has the power to facilitate worship. Winston Churchill observed, “We shape our buildings and afterwards they shape us.” Ultimately, architecture isn’t supposed to be about architecture but something else. We see this in the tabernacle, temple and of course historic churches.
Practically, commercial materials last with time when being utilized by thousands of people on a weekly basis. If families experience wear in their own houses after only having a couple of adults and kids, imagine the wear and tear on a structure where thousands are using it weekly. Cheaper materials often need replacement much more frequently than hardy materials.
Finally, we want to faithfully steward and build something that will last for generations to come, not just for our current moment. As such higher quality materials accomplish this while maintaining our theological commitment to sacred space.
Practically, commercial materials last with time when being utilized by thousands of people on a weekly basis. If families experience wear in their own houses after only having a couple of adults and kids, imagine the wear and tear on a structure where thousands are using it weekly. Cheaper materials often need replacement much more frequently than hardy materials.
Finally, we want to faithfully steward and build something that will last for generations to come, not just for our current moment. As such higher quality materials accomplish this while maintaining our theological commitment to sacred space.
HOW DOES THIS AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL STANDINGS?
We have an additional $1 million of which $500k is reserved for operating and $500k could be used for additional building contingencies.
WHY NOT RETIRE CURRENT DEBT FIRST?
There have historically been two views relating to stewardship in church operations: 1) a maintenance view 2) growth view. Cornerstone's theological vision from her very beginning has been to use our finances for extending the Kingdom of God and not simply maintaining what we have.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T REACH OUR 5 MILLION DOLLAR GOAL?
We are hopeful that 5 million dollars will allow us to accomplish all that we need to accomplish without accruing more debt. Should God not provide us with the full amount, we will consider other options. Yet we know that if God wills, he is able to do more than we ask or imagine.
ISN'T THIS CAMPAIGN JUST FOCUSED ON OURSELVES AND ON OUR NEEDS? SHOULDN'T THIS MONEY GO TOWARDS ETERNAL PURPOSES?
According to scripture the church is God’s Plan A for the world and that he has no plan B. Since the church is the people of God carrying out the mission of God. While the church is much more than the building, this building has been used for over 20 years to disciple, equip, train and send God’s people to love God, their neighbors and the world. We want to renew our building so that not only more people can be accommodated (including many non-believers!), but also so that the good work of discipling people in this place can happen another 20 years and beyond. We think that’s pretty important work.
WILL YOU CONTINUE TO PROMOTE AND INVEST IN OUR SACRED SPACE WITH LITURGICAL ELEMENTS?
God’s glory and adoration are central to the existence of church buildings. The church is a visible testimony of our faith & brings glory to God, to our community & our neighbors. Fairly or unfairly, people will make judgments about our God in relation to how we use our space. Historically, church design always reflected the theology of the church. As such, we remain committed to this principle.
HOW CAN WE INCLUDE OUR CHILDREN & YOUTH IN THE RENEW CAMPAIGN?
Answer coming soon!
READ SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q. WHAT IF MY SITUATION CHANGES IN THE NEXT THREE YEAR?
A. What we are asking for is a good-faith commitment. We understand that situations change. Some people will be willing and able to give more than their initial commitment, some less. If such a situation happens, you can connect with our core campaign team, .
Q. WHAT KIND OF GIFTS CAN YOU RECEIVE?
A. The PCA Foundation is equipped to process a number of different types of gifts such as stock options, crypto currency, portions of real estate, and portions of business holdings. Their advisors will help you determine the most efficient way to give to the kingdom at no cost. Email:
Q. HOW WILL I BE UPDATED ON REACHING THE FINANCIAL GOAL THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS OF GIVING?
A. We will share our total commitment after Commitment Sunday, May 21. We will keep you updated periodically if and when we reach new thresholds, or discover new information in the building process.
Q. WILL THE FUND THAT IS MANAGED BY THE PCA FOUNDATION EARN INTEREST? IS THE INVESTMENT AT RISK (E.G. STOCK MARKET FLUCTUATIONS)?
A. We believe it is generally not good stewardship to let large sums of cash sit (Matt 25:14-30), and it is wise and prudent for money that will not be needed in the very near term to be at work. While this does incur some risk, the fund, into which the money has been placed, is actively managed and the board of the PCA Foundation has been very pleased with its historic performance.
Q. HOW WILL COMMITMENTS BE SPECIFIED?
A. We are still considering the best ways for individuals to register their commitments. We will likely have an electronic and paper option.
Q. I AM NEW TO CORNERSTONE. CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN?
A. Yes! We have had many people join our community this past year, and we want to invite you to fully participate in this campaign with us! You are an integral part of our future, and hope you feel invested in this space as well.
Q. SHOULD I ATTEND MULTIPLE EVENTS IF THE OPPORTUNITY ARISES?
A. Yes! We invite you to come to any event that we are hosting to learn more about the campaign. The more you know, the more you can help others know what is happening and what to expect!
You can also email us and we will get back to you!