THE CHURCH IN THE COMMUNITY
A local church in central Ukraine has a vision to continue to impact its communities of about 15,000 people by going outside its four walls and meeting the needs of the communities via Common Grounds Community Center.
They purchased a 2,600 square foot unfinished house across the street from their church building to create a Community Center that will accomplish at least 4 goals:
HIGH QUALITY SERVICE
The Community Center will provide the best services in the city where people are cared for, valued and served. This quality of service is available no where else in the city.
The Community Center will provide the best services in the city where people are cared for, valued and served. This quality of service is available no where else in the city.
NEUTRAL SPACE
In the context of Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine, the protestant church building is the last place people would want to go. The Community Center solves that problem by providing a neutral place for disciple-makers to meet and serve people from theIR local communities.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Community Center will provide paid services, functioning as a legitimate business, providing revenue to support the local disciple-making and humanitarian efforts of the church as well as providING jobs for displaced Ukrainians who have moved into the city.
HELP HUB
Due to the war in Ukraine, the need among people is enormous and almost incomprehensible. From physical to emotional to spiritual – the variety of needs is endless. The Community Center will be a place known for finding answers to the variety of questions people have.
There are no places in the city like this one. This is a unique opportunity for the local church to be at the core of caring and providing for their local communities.
This strategy encompasses many areas of christian ministry that are essential today for the work of the Kingdom to grow in a sustainable way. Areas like business as mission, work as worship, adequate way to meet modern needs, development of a new generation of leaders, and meeting people where they are and sharing the gospel in a such a way that is understandable and culturally relevant.
The Building for Common Grounds Community Center 
The house has been purchased by Our Legacy ministry and owned by the Light of the Gospel Church
COMMUNITY CENTER SERVICES
Common Grounds Community Center will incorporate several life-changing services that are much needed in the communities, and will be run by a local non-profit organization with the same name – Common Grounds. Here is the list of services and activities (paid and free) that will be available in this Community Center for all people in the city and beyond:
A SMALL MODERN RESTAURANT
There are no family oriented places in the city to go to and spend quality time with your family, plan a meeting with a business partner, spend some hours to work on your project from school, visit a professional in a meaningful way, or just hang out with your friends. A restaurant with high quality food, made from locally harvested produce, designed to produce a cozy atmosphere, will solve that problem. And it will also generate the revenue to provide jobs and support the local Kingdom work.
COWORKING SPACE
This modern, bright, high-quality, advanced coworking space that is normally only available in large cities in Ukraine, with high-speed internet and uninterrupted power supply will create a safe, comfortable, stable and convenient place for local business communities to increase the quality of their gatherings. This space will provide a platform for seminars and meetings for local decision makers, and also will enable local disciple-makers to gather people to address issues and plan mutual work that would benefit the city. It will also generate revenue to provide jobs and support the local Kingdom work.
CARE OFFICE
In the midst of times like these in Ukraine, there is a tremendous need for consultation, counseling, and expert advice. The Community Center will have an office designated for such visits that is opened for everyone. The local team will partner not only with Christians, but also with city officials and other specialists, to encourage them to volunteer their time and knowledge to help and support people in need. For the church, it is a great opportunity to work with people who have the need to come to Christ.
RECREATION
Sports and Recreation is loved by billions of people around the world. The Community Center will provide an open space for people to visit and spend fun and useful time with friends and family. This space will include a children’s playground, a pickle ball court, a couple of pingpong tables, a basketball hoop, outside workout equipment and an open air rest area/cafeteria with tables and chairs. The space will be free to use and open to the public. At the same time, refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase. This is another tool to make disciples.
Common Grounds Community Center will incorporate several life-changing services that are much needed in the communities, and will be run by a local non-profit organization with the same name – Common Grounds. Here is the list of services and activities (paid and free) that will be available in this Community Center for all people in the city and beyond:
A SMALL MODERN RESTAURANT
There are no family oriented places in the city to go to and spend quality time with your family, plan a meeting with a business partner, spend some hours to work on your project from school, visit a professional in a meaningful way, or just hang out with your friends. A restaurant with high quality food, made from locally harvested produce, designed to produce a cozy atmosphere, will solve that problem. And it will also generate the revenue to provide jobs and support the local Kingdom work.
COWORKING SPACE
This modern, bright, high-quality, advanced coworking space that is normally only available in large cities in Ukraine, with high-speed internet and uninterrupted power supply will create a safe, comfortable, stable and convenient place for local business communities to increase the quality of their gatherings. This space will provide a platform for seminars and meetings for local decision makers, and also will enable local disciple-makers to gather people to address issues and plan mutual work that would benefit the city. It will also generate revenue to provide jobs and support the local Kingdom work.
CARE OFFICE
In the midst of times like these in Ukraine, there is a tremendous need for consultation, counseling, and expert advice. The Community Center will have an office designated for such visits that is opened for everyone. The local team will partner not only with Christians, but also with city officials and other specialists, to encourage them to volunteer their time and knowledge to help and support people in need. For the church, it is a great opportunity to work with people who have the need to come to Christ.
RECREATION
Sports and Recreation is loved by billions of people around the world. The Community Center will provide an open space for people to visit and spend fun and useful time with friends and family. This space will include a children’s playground, a pickle ball court, a couple of pingpong tables, a basketball hoop, outside workout equipment and an open air rest area/cafeteria with tables and chairs. The space will be free to use and open to the public. At the same time, refreshments and snacks will be available for purchase. This is another tool to make disciples.
Estimated Project Budget
