I hope you read this entire document as important details are contained within it. However, I realize that you may not have time to do so until later, so I am providing you with this summary. We have noticed a trend in our city and in the entire nation. More and more people, especially those in the emerging generations, are less and less likely to ever walk through the doors of a church. There has been a severe downward trend in attendance within American churches since 2008. In our area, there are over 175,000 souls living within a reasonable commute to Cornerstone and our sister churches. However, only 20,000 (or little more than 10%) of these neighbors are attending a Gospel-centered church!

This low percentage has not improved over the years, even with newer and bigger churches being planted in our area. This is because most of the harvest occurring in these churches has come through re-churched growth among the formerly churched or transfer growth among churched individuals who are leaving once-thriving but now declining churches. Unfortunately, this is not exactly the entire goal Jesus had in mind when He gave us His Great Commission to reach the lost and totally unchurched. When it comes to the 90% who have no connection to the Church, and therefore will likely never feel comfortable to come to a church building, Christ has clearly called us to go to them instead of waiting for them to come to us.

Our City on a Hill vision is to create a visible and tangible space in our city that will bless the entire population of Yuba-Sutter. We desire to purchase or lease an existing structure that will have a playground and other opportunities for children and families, a biblical counseling center, and a marketplace for local entrepreneurs that becomes a city center in which our neighbors can take pride. We believe that as we serve and rub shoulders with the 90% unchurched in Yuba-Sutter, a church community of brand new believers will organically form in that space. Jesus requires all of us to sacrifice for His mission to the lost, and this City on a Hill vision will require each of you to give of your time and money above and beyond what may have become normative or comfortable for you. God has blessed us with $1 million dollars in liquid assets. Since we will likely need more, we are starting a campaign on November 21st to raise $300,000 in 3 Months. We are expecting God “to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” (Eph. 3:20)