BUILDING:
FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS
FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS
VISION & DIRECTION
From our Lead Pastor, Jordan Smucker
We are building for the seasoned saint and for the skeptic.
We are building for the empty nester and the infant.
We are building for the single adult and the young family.
We are building for the one with abundance and for the one in need.
We are building for the connected and for the one who longs for belonging.
The vision for the project is to create spaces of belonging where everyone can be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did.
Psalm 68:6
God sets the lonely in families,
He leads out the prisoners with singing.
WHAT ARE WE BUILDING?
AN ADDITION & RENOVAITON
MORE THAN A GATHERING PLACE,
A SPACE TO EXPERIENCE BELONGING
New Auditorium & Foyer Space
As part of Ethos’ expansion at the Bale Kenyon Road location, new construction will be added to the north side of the building. This space will include a 560-seat auditorium and a large foyer designed to foster connection — creating room for people to gather, build relationships, and experience hospitality.
At the heart of Ethos is a desire to make space for life-giving community and to continually invite others into a place where they can explore faith and encounter Jesus. This new auditorium and foyer are designed to serve that purpose — not simply as a place to gather, but as a space where belonging can begin.
Repurposing Space for Kids, YTH, 24-Hour Prayer & Offices
We hold a deep conviction that one of our greatest investments is in the generations we are raising. As part of this next phase, the existing auditorium will be thoughtfully repurposed into a mid-sized gathering space designed for elementary students and teenagers — a place they will love, feel welcomed in, and grow in faith together.
On Sunday mornings, elementary kids will experience platform-led worship and teaching, along with space to gather in small groups with their leaders. Throughout the week, this space will serve our YTH and Young Adult ministries as a dedicated environment for discipleship, community, and spiritual formation. As more students and their friends continue to gather on Wednesday nights, this space will allow us to steward that growth with greater care and intentionality.
These renovations will also make room for a new 24-Hour Prayer Room — a set-apart space for our church to come before the Lord in focused, unhurried prayer. Designed with multiple prayer practices in mind, this room will serve as a place to seek God on behalf of our church, our city, and our world.
Finally, the addition of new office space will support our growing staff team, providing room to collaborate, care for people well, and continue shepherding the life God is healthily building among us.
WHAT ARE THE PLANS?
MASTER SITE PLAN
The Master Site Plan outlines the existing Bale Kenyon building along with the expansion and additional parking spaces.
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FULL FLOOR PLAN
Take a closer look at the addition of a new auditorium and foyer as well as renovated spaces to accelerate ministry.
Note: Ethos alongside our General Contractor plan to first complete the addition with the new auditorium space before beginning the renovations.
BUILDING EXTERIOR
The exterior design of the building is simple and clean to complement the aesthetic of the surrounding area. The windows allow for a warm, welcoming foyer environment where community and hospitality are experienced.
FOYER ENTRANCE
The new foyer was intentionally designed to live out our value of "living life together as a family." The large, open space creates the perfect setting for community conversations, special event photo moments, sweet treats, and making new friends. The LED wall along with sound system in the space provides a new opportunity for special events and water baptisms to be hosted indoors.
COFFEE ON US
The coffee bar is now conveniently located near the entrance and has been expanded. Our team is excited to serve freshly brewed coffee from our professional coffee machines to help brighten your Sunday morning.
GATHERING SPACE
Filled with in natural light, the auditorium’s welcoming design will foster a meaningful atmosphere of worship and encounter with Jesus. Seating 560 people, it more than doubles our current adult gathering space, while the larger platform opens the door for more talented musicians from our church family to lead us in worship.
GENERATION SPACE
After the renovations are complete, this space will come alive on Sunday mornings as elementary kids gather for worship, teaching, and small groups with their leaders. During the week, it will become a dedicated home for our YTH and Young Adult ministries—supporting discipleship, community, and spiritual formation. With more students and their friends gathering each Wednesday night, this space helps us support that growth thoughtfully and well.
WHY ARE WE BUILDING?
TO CONTINUE LOVING ALL PEOPLE
IN JESUS' NAME
As our church continues to grow and new ministries take shape, we are increasingly feeling the limitations of our current facilities. Each week, God continues to bring new people into our gatherings and ministries, and we sense His leading to create more space where people can truly belong. And through prayer and discernment, Ethos' team felt the most practical and efficient way to do this was to expand the Bale Kenyon location.
WHERE ARE WE BUILDING?
Bale Kenyon, Lewis Center
After being portable as a church since 2019, we were in search of a place to call home. And when the Bale Kenyon property became available. What initially felt unexpected quickly became unmistakable. God had provided a space at just the right time. We moved into the building in November of 2025, grateful for His faithfulness and confident He was leading us to expand the facility to further our ability to serve our community.
HOW ARE WE BUILDING?
PARTNERSHIP & STEWARDSHIP
Ethos has the privilege to work with some fantastic, local construction partners. Archall Architects has designed and completed the drawings, The Kleingers Groups are acting as our civil engineer firm to ensure the building fulfills all of the Delaware County and Orange Twp requirements, and Elford Construction is our General Contractor and Construction Manager.
Ethos plans to pay for the construction of the building through cash on hand and the continued generosity of the Ethos Family, with the option to borrow (in a healthy capacity) from a church lending institution.
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
$1.5M to Break Ground
As we look toward the future of this project, we are trusting God to provide the full cost of what we are building — a total of $5.7 million. We believe this is a God-sized vision, and we are confident that He will supply every need in His time.
From a practical standpoint, in order to break ground and begin construction, we need to have 25% of the total project cost committed. That amount is $1.5 million. Reaching this milestone allows us to move forward with confidence, while continuing to trust God for the provision of the remaining resources throughout the life of the project.
We are not asking God to do less — we are believing Him to do it all. This initial step simply marks the moment when faith turns into movement.
Ethos plans to pay for the construction of the building through cash on hand and the continued generosity of the Ethos Family, with the option to borrow (in a healthy capacity) from a church lending institution.
$28k/Month Extra in Operations
As we plan for this next season, we are also prayerfully preparing for the ongoing responsibility that comes with expanding our facilities. Based on current estimates and depending on the initial amount placed toward the project, our monthly operating expenses are expected to increase by maximum of $28,000 once construction is complete.
We see this not simply as a cost, but as an opportunity — an invitation to grow together in faithful, recurring generosity. In addition to one-time and monthly commitments toward the project itself, we are also trusting God to provide ongoing monthly support that will sustain the ministry and mission these spaces are designed to serve.
As always, our heart is not equal giving, but equal obedience. Each family is invited to prayerfully consider how God might lead them to participate — both now and in the years ahead — as we steward this vision together.
What part can I play in the "Building: For The Sake of Others" project?
PRAYER
Ask God for wisdom throughout the process - for provision to fund the project and for the ministry that will occur within the building.
NETWORK
Connect Ethos with vendors and organizations you know to help complete the project.
GENEROSITY
Ask God what He would have you give towards the mission and vision of Ethos. More info to come on how you can give.
SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Use your trade skills to execute finishes for the building. We are considering inviting the Ethos family to execute some building items: painting, laying tile, landscaping, and more.
"God, what would you have me give?"
COMMITMENT CARD
Share with us how God is leading you to commit to playing a part of Building: For the Sake of Others.
Complete the Online Commitment Card.
GENEROSITY
Ask God what He would have you give towards the mission and vision of Ethos. Give Online to the Building: For the Sake of Others fund
PRAYER POINTS
Prayer is our first response, not our last resort.
“And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
Provision
God, thank you for the vision and land you have entrusted to Ethos. We ask you to build your church and provide the proper resources and relationships to fulfill your vision for the Ethos property. None of this is ours. It's all yours, Lord; use it for your glory.
Partnership
Use me, God, to play a part in building for all people. Help me to see how I can make a difference through prayer, generosity, my network, and servant leadership.
Wisdom
Holy Spirit, give Ethos wisdom and guidance throughout the building process. Allow us to see when, where, and how you are working and what you want us to do to remain in step with you.
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”
– Ephesians 3:20
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