The Joshua Initiative

A functioning church building with 3,500 square feet of usable space — wraparound rooms on the outside (room for about 22 small classrooms if we wanted), plus full utilities (water, power, and a working septic system that will be converted to sewer). The land itself extends all the way to the back fence with a creek crossing the middle — significantly larger than what you see from the front.

Yes — and beautifully. A team of about 35 volunteers distribute food through the Placer Food Bank from this site every Thursday, and there is a long line of cars and families. The woman who runs that ministry is the one who opened the door to the sale. We have been clear with her: if the Lord brings us here, we want to partner with what He is already doing. It is a Deuteronomy 6 picture — vineyards we didn’t plant.

We don’t fix our eyes on it, but here is what we see in our minds: the existing church building used for children’s and youth ministry; the tent eventually moved across the creek so a permanent sanctuary can be built where the tent stands today; an outdoor amphitheater for outdoor services and baptisms; a sports field for the kids. Long road. Right priorities first. But the Lord put a big property in our hands for a reason.

Three quiet paths, all running in parallel. (1) Offering cards handed out at church — you write what the Lord puts on your heart, pray over it at home, and turn it in. We don’t collect money at that moment; the cards just help us discern together what He is providing. (2) Checks and in-person giving through Foundry’s normal channels — tax-deductible, no different than any other Sunday. (3) The online commitment form for anyone who can’t be at the building or who prefers to commit digitally. Both the cards and the online form now take monthly commitments as well as one-time gifts. Pastor John does not see individual amounts on any of these paths — Jeff Miller, our board treasurer, handles the totals. That stays the same.

Yes — new as of July 19. A number of people have said, “I want to give more, but I can’t right now — it has to be monthly.” Because the property loan requires no payments for the first year, a monthly commitment over the next 12 months counts toward the remaining cash need in full: $300 a month counts as $3,600 toward the goal. Cards were placed on seats at church for exactly this, and the online commitment form has a monthly option as well.

Over 95 independent givers so far — nearly 85 to 90% of the people who walk through the door. In denominational church world, the reality is that about 10 to 20% of a congregation gives to make things happen. For a fellowship barely a year old, this is astounding, encouraging, and miraculous.

Pastor John has adopted a new approach for Wednesday studies modeled after Martin Lloyd-Jones — bullet-point preparation instead of two fully-written sermons per week. This has reduced study time by more than half. The Bible study will continue through its current series without interruption.

Excellent. Bosue has been a generous host and is now a friend. He is not interested in a long-term five-year arrangement, and he understands when we need to move events. We are grateful tenants and will continue to honor that relationship as long as we are here.

No — but realistically, traditional fundraising won’t move the needle on a ~$6M project. If we are short by a smaller amount at the end, those efforts can absolutely help bridge the gap. The primary call right now is prayer.

Yes — and far beyond what we hoped. The existing church on the property is fully operational with bathrooms, water, and power. And on a July site visit, Pastor John opened the electrical cabinet and found three-phase, 600-amp switchgear — capacity a site like this would normally need $150,000–$250,000 and about four years of PG&E applications to obtain. It means we can put power anywhere on the property as the vision for a church and school unfolds. A real answer to prayer.

Yes. The property is zoned for religious assembly, which is a major win — rezoning can be a two-year battle. The existing CUP will need to be modified (not newly issued) to accommodate our larger attendance. We are working with the city on a modification rather than a fresh CUP.

The 70 days begin from the May 17 announcement, not from the May 6 contract signing — this gives us roughly ten additional days. The window closes July 26, 2026.

Seventy is a deeply significant number in Scripture: the elders Moses chose for counsel, the size of the Sanhedrin (plus two), and the disciples Jesus sent out (plus two). Practically, 70 days also gives us the legal runway to transition cleanly from Track 1 to Track 2 if needed, without forfeiting deposits or breaking the contract.

No. The vision of Foundry is not a building — it is exalting Christ through the maturing of His body. The building gets a lot of airtime because it requires practical action, but Bible teaching, care of the flock, and family come first. The congregation is invited (and asked) to remind leadership of this throughout the season.

It stays and we use it. It would likely become a youth building. The seller currently runs significant humanitarian work from the site (including a weekly food bank ministry). We will evaluate each of those programs against Foundry’s mission and vision before continuing or stepping back from any of them — no automatic commitments.

We’ve approached at least eight banks plus a number of other lending agencies. Cass Bank (out of the Midwest, which specializes in churches) requires five years of financial history — we don’t qualify yet. We are now focused on private lenders and individuals who fund kingdom work directly.

We praise Him for keeping us out of something that wasn’t His will. Pastor John has stated plainly: a clear no will actually be a relief, because it means God closed a door we shouldn’t walk through. Update (July 12): the board has decided Track 2 is no longer an option. With the property loan in place and the down payment nearly raised, the Lord has already provided enough — if we take this property, it will be as Foundry Bible Church, Track 1. If He doesn’t provide the rest, we hold it open-handed and let Him decide.

No — not anymore. The board decided in July that because it will take a couple of years to get to the point of building, the sewer connection isn’t needed until we build. The purchase can move forward without it. Miracle #3 still matters — it’s just no longer a condition of going to Loomis. If the remaining cash comes in, we go.

Yes — we are finalizing an accessibility agreement (with a negotiated monthly fee) that allows the congregation onto the property for specific approved events. The first will be a corporate prayer walk around the land. We hope to have signed access within two to three weeks.

No fixed timeframe. We will live in the tent until the Lord provides enough margin to build responsibly — just as a young family lives in an apartment before buying a house. Pulling the trigger early on a building would upset everything else.

The final stretch. As of July 20 we are $176K away from completing the cash need, with the window closing July 26. The property loan is fully in place — now confirmed at no interest and no payments for the first year — over 95 independent givers have taken part, monthly commitments for the next 12 months now count toward the goal, and the property turns out to already carry three-phase, 600-amp power. Please join us in prayer over these final 6 days. If He provides, we’re going to Loomis this fall.