About Us
BGW Services has been impacting Christian communities nationwide since 1998, challenging ministry leaders to lead by vision, to increase ministry and to build stronger relationships. We're dedicated to the expansion of ministry through growth strategies and funding solutions – leading to the construction of new facilities for churches, Christian schools/colleges and ministry organizations.
History of BGW
BGW began with the development of Building God’s Way, our premier design and construction program, in the mid-1990s. This unique and integrated solution was a direct result of the Lord’s work in the life of founder Daniel W. Cook, AIA, NCARB. In working toward the founding of a local accredited Christian school for his daughters to attend, Dan was led to be involved full time on this project. He lived his faith as a board member, architect and general contractor for the newly launched Christian Heritage School in Riverdale, Utah. The school opened its doors in September 1995 with an enrollment of 167. CHS has since built a secondary facility and teaches a student group of nearly 700.
Following his CHS experience, Dan released all of his secular architecture clients and focused solely on the Building God's Way program for Christian schools and churches in 1998. He developed the program nationwide through relationships with regional certified builders. These Christian construction companies are integral to the success of BGW. BGW | Supply was established and incorporated to handle national account product purchasing in 2001. Dan Cook now holds architecture licenses in all 48 contiguous states and was joined by two architect partners in 2004 – Mark L. Hilles, AIA, NCARB and Donald J. Mahoney, AIA.
BGW Services
With the design, construction and supply for church and school building projects underway, Dan resolved to solve the ongoing problems for funding and growth needed by his clients. The companies BGW Forward in Faith and BGW Vibrant were formed in 2007 with the merger of Dr. Stan Toler’s “The Vibrant Group” with the BGW network. Stan’s training programs for the BGW pastor consultants have enabled us to support clients nationwide to excel in the areas of growth, leadership, capital campaigns and vision casting.
Each of the BGW service groups has a leadership team in place with the knowledge and experience to bring excellence and good stewardship to ministry organizations. The service groups work through an integrated approach, creating seamless solutions as we Build Buildings and Build Lives together.
The BGW Services network is managed by the architect partners and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Hartman, from our headquarters in Ogden, Utah.