A Campaign for Lutherhill Ministries

Come to the Table

gather together

Lutherhill Ministries is excited to launch the Come to the Table - Gather Together capital campaign to raise $6.65 million for critical improvements at our Summer Camp and year-round Retreat Center near La Grange, Texas. The Come to the Table campaign will fund the costs of designing, building, and furnishing a new Dining Hall and Retreat Center.

Why it matters

It never fails, when people talk about camp - a smile spreads across their face and a little sparkle jumps to their eye. No matter the age, from eight to eighty, the joy is palpable.

At camp, the worries of the world melt away. We can simply be free and be ourselves.

It’s simple really, but there aren’t many places like it.

While the rest of the world offers conflicting demands and divisions camp offers community and the glow of a campfire.

While the rest of the world is overly serious and highly competitive camp offers silly songs and healthy relationships.

While the rest of the world offers high expectations and low compassion camp offers holy spaces and an invitation to serve others.

Lutherhill Ministries has sparked joy in campers of all ages since 1954. As we continue to thrive, we look with joy to the future of this critical ministry. In order to continue offering high-quality, transformational programs, we must add more functional facilities and update buildings that are no longer adequate. These projects will allow more campers to experience the joy of camp and also improve our long-term financial strength and sustainability. Opening our existing and new facilities to large groups throughout the year helps us shift the considerable expenses of maintaining camp off of our summer programs. With this strategic move, Lutherhill can fulfill our commitment to keep the cost of summer camp accessible for all.

lutherhill gates

Challenges

A camp and fellowship space like ours can have the most ideal location, best leadership and staff, and highest quality programs, but if it doesn’t have the facilities it needs to attract and retain campers and guests, it is unlikely to survive, much less thrive. Put simply, the quality of our facilities is essential to Lutherhill’s future success and sustainability.

Over the years, Lutherhill has diligently cared for its facilities and periodically undertaken new projects to address specific needs. Ten years ago, the Board of Directors commissioned a thorough facilities review to provide the basis for developing a comprehensive master plan for the La Grange property. We then conducted a successful capital campaign entitled A Place for All People to raise funds for the highest-priority projects. Completed in 2010, these projects included the Broesche Family Center (providing sleep and living space for up to 12 people), six new camper cabins (each with space for 14 people), water and sewer infrastructure improvements, and the acquisition of 9.22 acres of adjoining property for future expansion. That same year, Carby Chapel was dedicated, providing a beautiful worship and gathering space for up to 150 people. Over the years, we have also added and/or improved an outdoor camping area, a challenge/high ropes course, RV loop, and multiple outdoor worship spaces.

In 2015, the Board authorized a study to assess the feasibility of undertaking the next projects called for in the master plan. At the same time, the master plan was updated to specify the most pressing facilities needs and how to address them.

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Challenge #1

An Aging Dining Hall and Small Kitchen

Lutherhill’s F.E. Eilers Dining Hall dates back to the 1950s. Although the building is beloved and can continue to serve other uses with some updating, it is too small for large groups. Currently, campers have to eat in shifts, which is both inefficient and logistically problematic. The kitchen and serving areas are also undersized, which causes congestion and impacts Lutherhill’s commitment to hospitality. Last but not least, the location of the existing dining hall is not readily accessible (and, for some, inaccessible) to the Chapel and sleeping areas in our current campus layout.

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Challenge #2

Lack of Space for Large Retreats and Activities

Many large groups seeking a place to hold a retreat or program are not attracted to Lutherhill and choose other sites because our existing retreat spaces are too small, outdated, and not configured for adult guests. Our Retreat House has a maximum capacity of 6 people, and the Ark, an outdated building that has reached the end of its useful life, can accommodate only 18 guests in shared bedrooms. Due to inadequate retreat space for adults, Lutherhill is considerably underutilized during the non-summer months. This means missed opportunities to further our mission and to increase earned revenue. We urgently need retreat space configured for adult groups – facilities with private rooms, adult beds and updated bathrooms are industry standard.

Projects

Total Campaign Goal: $6.65M

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New Dining Hall

  • 7,600 sqft
  • Accommodates 256 persons
  • Sliding partitions offer flexible dining options for off-summer months
  • Improved kitchen and service line

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Retreat and Multipurpose Center

  • Large Meeting Space
  • Enhances year-round programming options
  • Each Retreat Pod will feature private bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Increases earned revenue during off-summer months

Project timeline:

2019

Launch Fundraising Campaign

2022

Dining Hall Prep: Break ground on replacement cabins

2023

Break ground on new Dining Hall

2024

Break ground on new Retreat Center

2025

Complete Fundraising Campaign

Budget & Giving

Gifts of $10,000 and higher will be recognized on a special donor recognition wall in the Dining Hall or Retreat Center. Opportunities are subject to final design and availability.

Campaign Budget

Building

Estimated Construction Cost

Dining Hall

$ 4,036,233

Retreat Center

$ 2,613,520

Totals

$ 6,649,753

Naming Opportunities

Area

Recognition Opportunity

Gift Amount

Dining Hall

Dining Hall Committed

$750,000

Porch

$500,000

Camp Store

$250,000

Lobby

$150,000

Kitchen

$250,000

Small Dining

$100,000

Retreat & Multipurpose Center

Retreat Center

$750,000

Multi-Purpose Room Committed

$150,000

Porch (2)

$50,000

Lounge

$100,000

Bedrooms (12)

$25,000

Kitchen Committed

$25,000

Cabins

Cabin

$150,000

Village of 3 Cabins

$250,000

Scale of Gifts

Gift Level

# Required

Category Total

Grand Total

$1,000,000

2

$1,000,000

$2,000,000

$500,000

2

$1,000,000

$3,000,000

$250,000

3

$750,000

$3,750,000

$100,000

8

$800,000

$4,550,000

$50,000

12

$600,000

$5,150,000

$25,000

14

$350,000

$5,500,000

$10,000

35

$350,000

$5,850,000

$5,000

60

$300,000

$6,150,000

$2,500

100

$250,000

$6,400,000

$1,000

250

$250,000

$6,650,000

Total

486

About Lutherhill

OUR MISSION:

Lutherhill Ministries…a ministry for all people of every generation to experience the Love of Christ in unique settings and new ways.

OUR VALUES:

Hospitality – All are valued, cared for, and loved through their interactions with Lutherhill.
Love of Christ – We exemplify Christ’s Love and a desire for all to experience that Love.
Holy Space – We create opportunities for people to experience God’s presence in all things.
Community – We value relationship modeled around God’s Love and acceptance.