Covenant Member Update:
March 2026
Park Church family,
In May 2025, we formally launched Park Church’s Two-Year Vision. Through a period of discerning where we are, what God has given us, and who He is calling us to be in this next season, we identified four strategic priorities to guide our efforts. (Find those again here!) A significant objective attached to these priorities has been to restructure and improve our historic building to enhance its effectiveness and our reach toward our mission. Our leadership team has been investing a tremendous amount of energy in this project. And you all, as our church family, have been wonderfully supportive of us. Thank you!
All the while, our patience muscle has undergone a rigorous training program. This whole process takes a while. At least, it does when we pursue wisdom and appropriate intentionality! Beyond that, there is the necessary permitting process, working with Xcel Energy, and the dozens of other moving parts to move this thing forward.
The waiting and discerning process for our building project has some similarities to the foundation phase of building a skyscraper: to build a towering structure requires a great deal of time to dig deep. For many months, it can seem like no progress has been made. But once that foundation has been set, the structure surges upward! For us as a church, even though we haven’t yet taken a shovel to the ground, we’ve been digging deep and building the appropriate foundation with our architect, engineers, broader design team, governing board, and staff leaders. Much of the work has been visible to only a small handful of people. But as one who sits at the nexus of this work, I can attest to the methodical movement forward. Thanks for working that patience muscle with us.
And now, it is nearing the time for this project to surge ahead.
In this newsletter, I provide some more details about our current state and how to prepare for what’s next. This is exciting, church family! We’re eager to keep leaning into the future with you all, anticipating great things from the great God that we serve.
Current State of the Project
We have moved through the Schematic Design and Design Development phases, bringing us to our Construction Documents. We’ve sent these out to a handful of general contractors, each of whom has provided a bid. After interviewing them, making revisions, and discerning the right partner for this project, we have now entered contract negotiations with one of them. We’re making good progress with the city on the permitting process, but we still have the inevitable back-and-forth to check all their boxes. Additionally, we’re working with Xcel Energy to ensure we have the necessary power to support our elevator. And then we have the whole array of design, safety, and other preparatory measures in motion to get us construction-ready.
From a funding perspective, we are healthily tracking with our goals. Here’s a snapshot of our current financials in relation to our Two-Year Vision goal:
Total Goal (May 2025-April 2027): $11M
(Operational Expenses + Additional “Strategic Priorities” Giving)
Total Received (updated 3/23/26): $5,284,138
(48% of goal)
Current Cash Reserves (updated 3/23/26): $3,347,840
We are in a strong position to begin construction. The insight provided by our governing board, finance team, and owner’s representative has been to secure a construction line of credit as we formally initiate the project. As invoices start coming in during the construction phase, we must ensure good cash flow and adhere to the wisdom of our cash reserves policy. Securing this line of credit provides stability through the project, giving us access to draw on it only as needed.
We’re still on track to start the project this spring, meaning we should wrap up around the end of the calendar year. That said, I’m learning to be cautious (and cautiously optimistic) when it comes to projections about the timeline. We’ll keep you informed!
What’s Next?
Prayer
Above all, please continue in prayer. We are asking God to wield this project—one that we believe He has led us into—for His purposes here in Denver and far beyond. We long for His continued provision and protection as we continue pressing forward. If “the devil’s in the details,” we’d like to get him out of there. The many variables of the project are coming into alignment, and we invite you all to pray that this alignment continues and that we have wisdom and clarity on how to lead through each step.
Continued Generosity
We also ask that you continue seeking the Lord on how He would like you to steward your finances to give toward this vision and project. This whole initiative is one we are shouldering as an entire church family, and we have routinely felt a sense of unity as we’ve progressed through these past months. On behalf of the church, we are very grateful! You can explore ways of giving here. Thank you for your continued generosity to the mission of God through Park Church.
Congregational Vote on Construction Line of Credit
Another way you can be involved is by participating in our congregational vote for the construction line of credit mentioned above. This constitutes a restructuring of the mortgage on our building and, per our bylaws, this requires a congregational vote by our covenant members. Please slot this in your calendar! We will host a virtual meeting over Zoom on Thursday, April 9 at 7:30pm. Our leadership will provide the specifics of the loan, welcome clarifying questions, and take a vote. Please see your email inbox on the day of for a link to our virtual meeting.
Expectations of the Construction Phase
As we approach our “break ground” date, let’s learn to anticipate and even embrace the inherent disruption. The general contractor we’re moving ahead with prioritizes keeping as much of the church building open during construction as possible, and they have experience at this! However, this still will disrupt aspects of our normal programming. Much like we would during a home renovation project, let’s move through this season as a family that loves each other and is looking ahead to what lies on the other side. The entirety of this project is oriented around pursuing our mission of making disciples of Jesus for the glory of God and the joy of all people. What a glorious mission we are able to live into!
Holy Week Reminders
GOOD FRIDAY
Friday, April 3 • Services at 5:30 & 7pm
We’ll allow the Scriptures to take us to the scene of our Lord’s betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion, and burial, setting us up for a deep celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. Live stream is available at the 7pm service.
EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES
Sunday, April 5 • 6:30, 8:30, 10, & 11:30am
Live stream is available at the 10 and 11:30 am services. Easter services are “Family Services,” meaning that there will be no Park Kids classes; children will stay with their families to worship together (resources for kids are provided).
EASTER BAPTISMS
Baptism commemorates our new life in Christ and entrance into His spiritual family. If you are a follower of Jesus and have not been baptized, please talk with us and consider being baptized on Easter Sunday! Click here to get started.
EASTER CHOIR
Every year on Easter Sunday, we invite as many as are interested to join us in the Easter Choir. Whether you’re vocally trained or simply love singing, please join us as we celebrate Jesus together! Learn more and sign up by March 26.
EASTER VOLUNTEERING
Easter means a lot of celebration at Park Church! It also means a lot of new people, a lot of details, and a lot of unique volunteering needs. Some of these include welcoming, setup, and teardown at both the services and our block party (learn more about that below). If you may be able to help at any point on Easter Sunday, please click here!
EASTER BLOCK PARTY
7:30am–12:45pm • Patio & Street in Front of Building
We’ll feature good coffee (on us), good food from food trucks (for purchase). We hope this will be a relaxed, joyful space to make some connections before or after service.
COMPLETE HOLY WEEK & EASTER DETAILS
May 2026 Family Meeting
You can also RSVP for our next Family Meeting on Sunday, May 17! Among other things, we’ll hear about the vision for Gospel Communities from Tony Villatoro, meet our new class of Ministry Residents, and vote on the installation of our elder candidates. We look forward to seeing you there.
May the peace of Christ be with you!
Neil Long
Executive Pastor
Past Covenant Member Resources
This page is home to Covenant Member updates, Family Meeting recordings, and digital versions of reports, shown from most recent to least.
Covenant Member Update: December 2025
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Covenant Member Update:March 2026 Park Church family, In May 2025, we formally launched Park Church’s Two-Year Vision. Through a period […]
See More ›Covenant Member Update: September 2025
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Following even a four-minute perusal of recent headlines, we’re likely left feeling as though the world is uniquely out of whack these days. When we can honestly interact with history, we should be pulled back to a more accurate perspective...
See More ›Covenant Member Update: April 2025
Friday, April 11, 2025
As we move through the aching hunger of Lent that flowers into the boisterous feasting of Easter and Eastertide, let us hold fast to both sides—and both lessons—of the tension.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: February 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
We continue to be stunned by God’s kindness. Thanks to His provision and the generosity of this church family, our end-of-year giving came in at $295,000 over budget!
See More ›Covenant Member Update: November 2024
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Around this time of year, many of us brace ourselves for the onslaught of holiday happenings—some welcomed, some not so much. Here’s an invitation to pause.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: August 2024
Sunday, August 25, 2024
What does it mean for a human person to flourish? What is required to experience the "life and life to the full" Jesus has designed for us?
See More ›Covenant Member Update: March 2024
Friday, March 22, 2024
We’re now a few Sundays into the season of Lent. As we’ll often say around Park, we seek to be instructed by church tradition, never ruled by it.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: October 2023
Monday, October 23, 2023
Whenever the people of God (that is, the church) come together on a Sunday or in a Gospel Community, we can be understood as the "church gathered," people gathered to worship God and grow together.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: July 2023
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
In 2008 a couple dozen people gathered in a Highlands basement for a weekly Bible study with the hopes of joining God in a movement toward Gospel renewal in Denver.
See More ›Family Meeting: May 21, 2023
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Covenant Member Update: April 2023
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
A tension runs throughout my life that's arguably nowhere more pronounced than during this time of year. Maybe you can relate. I desire for my life to be oriented around and structured toward the voice and presence of Jesus. When asked what determines my priorities, my time, my thought life, I want my answer to be a perpetual, "the personal triune God, of course"...
See More ›Family Meeting: February 12, 2023
Sunday, February 12, 2023
A time for Covenant Members to celebrate what God is doing, pray over what He may do next, and share a meal together.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: December 2022
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Covenant Member Update:March 2026 Park Church family, In May 2025, we formally launched Park Church’s Two-Year Vision. Through a period […]
See More ›Family Meeting: November 14, 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
Family Meetings are a time for Covenant Members and members in-process to look back on God's kindness, get updates on where we are now, and look forward to what God will do in the months and years to come.
See More ›
Semester Update Booklet: Fall 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
This report was handed out at our Family Meeting on November 14, 2022.
See More ›Covenant Member Update: October 2022
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Our elders and staff routinely sit back in awe at God's kindness at Park Church. The past year or so has introduced heartache we never wished for, some of which was self-wrought. We’re humbled and yet remain grateful. We’re humbled by what we now see but didn't before (and are still learning). We’re humbled and grateful at how God has preserved us with such remarkable grace to be where we are right now. And we’re incredibly grateful we have the privilege to pastor and minister within a church family that includes each of you. Thank you for your continued presence, care, and investment.
See More ›An Update on the Basement
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
If you've been downstairs at the Park Church building in the last year, you've noticed the plastic sheeting, the scaffolding, and the bare concrete...
See More ›
Christian Practices Survey Report: August 2022
Thursday, September 1, 2022
This survey was conducted mid-service on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Park Church as a part of our annual Mission series. Responses were collected anonymously through an online form and paper response sheets. This report exists to make the results accessible to our congregation for discussion and growth.
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Earlier this week the Denver County Health Department issued a Public Health order requiring masks at all indoor public gatherings. Starting this Sunday, November 28th, we will be requiring masks at all Park Church gatherings.
See More ›Covenant Membership Renewal
Wednesday, November 3, 2021
Through the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, those who trust in Him are ushered into covenant relationship with the Triune God and with the spiritual family He has created...
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Annual Report: 2022–2021
Monday, October 25, 2021
This report was handed out at our Family Meeting on October 25, 2021.
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
It has been a gift to gather in-person again after a long and often lonely season. We are so thankful for this, yet we also recognize that this pandemic is not over. We are all working through how to live in that difficult tension...
See More ›Sunday Worship Gathering Updates
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
We are encouraged by recent announcements from the CDC and the City of Denver that vaccinated people can go without wearing masks in most indoor and all outdoor environments.
See More ›Family Meeting, January 31 2021
Sunday, January 31, 2021
A panel of Park Church staff and members discussed Park Church Downtown and responded to questions.
See More ›