Pathway Church Second Campus Q&A

Why is Pathway launching a second campus?

Launching a second campus is part of our strategic plan to be a “world leader in Christ-centered life transformation”. This Vision was established by the Elders in 2010 after much prayer, fasting, and input from the congregation.

To expand the reach of Pathway. This allows people to gather weekly near their own neighborhood, which makes it easier for them to be involved and easier to ask others to join them.

To expand the reach of the Gospel of Jesus. This is our mandate as a church from scripture.

To continue to reach out in our community. There are 600+ churches in Sedgwick County with 500,000 residents. A conservative estimate says that 3 out of 4 people who live here are not attending weekly worship*.

Where will the new campus be?

In Goddard, KS, the fastest growing city in the state. Goddard has more than doubled in the past 10 years.

What about other churches in Goddard?

We’ve been talking with other churches in the Goddard community about our plans and will continue to do so as we work together. Westlink has always had a “Kingdom” mentality that is much larger than any individual church.

With 3 of 4 people in Sedgwick County unchurch, there are certainly plenty of people for all of us to reach.

What will the Goddard campus be like?

The Goddard campus will have the look and feel of Pathway, only smaller. There will be weekend services featuring live worship, “The Neighborhood” (Children’s Programming), “IGNITE” (Middle School Programming), and a DVD message.

How is the second campus different from a church plant?

The Campus Pastor will not be the “preacher” at the Goddard Campus. The message from the Saturday night service at our 21st and Maize Rd. campus will be recorded and then shared via DVD the next morning at the Goddard campus.

We want to reproduce the “Pathway experience” at this new location. The second campus will champion all our shared values, our mission and our strategies for ministry. They will have the same clear Biblical teaching from children through adults and will focus clearly on our new pathway: Following Jesus in community for others.

At first, this campus will meet at Goddard High School, but we anticipate purchasing property and building a facility at some point.

Our goal is to launch this second campus with 300 people (200 adults and 100 children). By the way, Pathway currently has more than 300 people who are members or participants who live within the city limits of Goddard.

What will the Staff look like?

Rodney Elliott will be the “Campus Pastor” at the Goddard campus. Rodney has been on our staff for 4 years in a part-time position as Director of Small Groups. Rodney will serve as the “face with the place” at the new site and will be the “host” in weekend services. He will be responsible for leading and growing the new campus.

In addition, Jerrod Byrne will be the Goddard Worship/Arts Director, Kelsea Hare will be the Goddard Early Childhood Director and Laura McElroy will be the Goddard Elementary & Student Director.

When will the new campus be launched?

Our launch date is February 5, 2011.

Where will the new campus meet?

We wil meet in the Goddard High School at 2500 S 199th St W.

What will the new campus cost?

The startup costs (One-time costs and first year of operation) are $585,000.

The goal is that at the end of the first year, the new campus will be generating revenue to cover their operational costs (salaries, rent, programming).

Will there be more campuses?

Yes, we anticipate that the Goddard campus is the first of others to come. This second campus is part of a new strategy at Pathway called “multi-site”. A multi-site church is simply one church with many locations. We don’t have a specific plan or goal for a certain number of sites, but we’re trusting and waiting on the Lord to direct us along this path.

We’re currently talking to other churches, visiting various areas of our community, praying and discerning where the next site should be. We anticipate another new campus in 2013.

What can I(we) do?

If you live in or near Goddard, consider becoming part of the Goddard Campus (Fill out an “Interest card”).

If you plan to stay at the 21st and Maize Rd. campus, consider taking on an additional ministry role that will be vacated by someone who is part of the Goddard launch.

Pray that many more people would be “connected to Jesus and become his fully-devoted followers” with this new strategy.

Give over and above your regular giving to the “Goddard Campus Fund”.

*The average church in America has 75 people attending. If we say that each of the 600 churches in Sedgwick County has 200 members, that means only 120,000 of the 500,000 people in our community are attending church.