Renowned architect Antoni Gaudí began construction on a cathedral in Barcelona, Spain in 1882. Today it is one of the most iconic structures in the world—La Sagrada Familia—with towering spires that stretch across the city skyline.

And yet, more than 140 years later, it is still not finished.

Gaudí knew something when he began that project: the work was too big to complete in a single lifetime. Builders, artists, and craftsmen would spend generations contributing their skill and devotion to something they themselves might never see completed.

Having visited there myself years ago, I have asked myself a question:

Could I dedicate my life to something I would never see finished?

In a culture driven by instant gratification, the idea feels almost foreign. We like quick results, visible impact, and immediate rewards.

But the longer I reflected, the more I realized something profound.

That’s exactly what the church does.

The church spends its life building a future it may never fully see—but one that will matter forever.

That’s why we’re going All In during this defining season of ministry at Church on the Hill. For the next 3 years, we are committing ourselves to 3 mission-focused goals:

• Launch 50 disciple-multiplying groups
• Engage 300 next-generation disciples
• Eliminate our mortgage debt so more resources can fuel ministry and mission

Why does this matter? Because every one of us is here today because someone invested in us first.

In high school, Neil who was the one person I felt comfortable enough with to talk about God when I was searching for Him.

In college, Jeremy was the first to trust me to lead a bible study. His encouragement spurred me want to serve within the church.

After graduating, Bob was the first person who believed God had a called me to pastoral ministry.

And now, Jeff continues to instill belief and guide me now that I am a pastor.

I cannot tell my own story without mentioning their names. Neil. Jeremy. Bob. Jeff. Each one appeared during a different season of my life. Each one invested time, prayer, wisdom, and encouragement that shaped my walk with Jesus.

Their faithfulness became part of my story.

You see, Scripture reminds us that faith was always meant to move from generation to generation.

We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

 Psalm 78:4-7 NLT

This is the heartbeat of the church. Someone shares the good news of Jesus with us.
Then we pass that faith along to someone else. Faith was never meant to stop with us—it was meant to move through us.

Healthy communities don’t just care about themselves, they think about those who will come after them. The church, more than any other community, should understand this truth. Everything we do—discipleship, service, generosity—is ultimately about walking in obedience to God and building a future for someone else.

That’s why the All In initiative matters so much.

We want to remove the barriers that slow down mission. We want people to experience the transformative power of Jesus Christ. And we want to invest deeply in the children, students, and young adults who will carry the faith forward.

Not for our sake. For theirs. 

So who is it that helped shape your faith? A parent? A mentor? Perhaps a small group leader or a friend who shared the hope they have when you were going through a difficult season. Someone helped you along the way.

The question remains, though: Who will one day say your name as a part of their story?

You see, we aren’t building a majestic cathedral. But what we are doing is creating a community of disciples of Jesus that is more profound than any building.

Many faithful people came before us. Their prayers, generosity, and sacrifices created the church we now enjoy.

Now it’s our turn.

We have the privilege of partnering with God to shape what this church will become for the next generation.

Will we see the full impact of what we build? Probably not.

But that’s okay.

Because we will have spent our lives building something eternal.

And that is always worth it.

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