Rethinking Church Facilities two emerging opportunities for expansion & remodel

Nearly 60% of U.S. Children under 6 are in Childcare. Despite this fact, more than 95% of churches do not have a preschool childcare program during the week. We believe that many churches are missing out on one of the most powerful and authentic ministries available. A well-run childcare program provides an incredible opportunity to engage with young families and new visitors. It can foster meaningful connections with your faith community on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis while creating an additional revenue stream for the ministry.By starting a childcare program, your church can help support local families by providing a safe space for their children while they’re at work. This service can also increase church attendance, as families are more likely to attend more knowing their children are in a positive environment.

Church facilities have traditionally been among the most underused facilities in America, sitting empty throughout most of the week. There are incredible opportunities for ministries to leverage these assets to both generate sustainable income for the ministry and to serve the needs of the local community — not just on Sundays, but seven days a week. In recent years, the idea of merging for-profit business on church property has become a hallmark of BGW projects. In many cases, early childhood education centers can not only pay for themselves and help reduce existing overhead costs, but can also become a true catalyst for ministry growth and community impact.

In 2023, BGW and SB Construction completed a new build for First Baptist Church in Greenwood, IN. The 28,000 square-foot facility sits on a 26-acre property and features a community center and an early childhood education center operated by Lionheart Children’s Academy. First Baptist’s goal was to build a facility that can be used by the community and would meet a need for early childhood education and preschool in the Greenwood area. Lionheart Children’s Academy is a STEM-designed children’s academy that brings Christian-based teachings to school-age children in an approved format. Lionheart will also be a revenue generator for the church. Instead of renting the space from the church, the children’s academy will give the church a monthly share of the income.

In 2022, BGW Architects and Great West Construction completed a 23,432 SF childcare / children’s ministry addition for Academy Christian Church in Colorado Springs, CO. The 2-story building provides a dedicated and modern space for the church to effectively minister to children while also operating as a full-time pre-school and child care center for infants through 12 years of age. Operated by Lionheart Children’s Academy, the new facility has offered the church a financially sustainable business model that will both serve the greater community and generate income for the ministry. The design features ample classroom spaces and a large multi-purpose room for group worship and activities. It also features 4 separate outdoor playgrounds for infants, pre-school and K-5 grade children.

In 2020, BGW and Weaver Commercial Contractor completed construction on an 18,437 SF multi-venue facility for LifeSpring Community Christian Church in Harrison, OH. The new facility features a childcare center managed and operated by Lionheart Children’s Academy that has provided a consistent revenue stream for a space that may otherwise sit unused during the week. The “Community Commons” space features a 900 SF Kid Zone with an 18’ tall indoor play structure and offers a safe, state-of-the-art kids wing that will attract and impact families for Christ both on Sundays and throughout the week.

In McKinney, Texas, BGW designed a 30,000 SF worship center for Brookhaven Church that features a premiere childcare center called The Academy at Craig Ranch. The new facility features a 16,800 SF day care facility with an indoor themed play area, outdoor sports court and playground. The childcare center is managed by Nelson Eagle, President of Lionheart Consulting Services, who has organized more than 30 new faith-based child care centers. Since the completion of construction in 2018, the childcare center has experienced tremendous growth and the church has since expanded the facility by an additional 11,000 SF. 

Brookhaven Senior Pastor Glenn Meredith said, “We didn’t want to build a facility that we would just use for a couple of hours; We wanted to build something that would be a service and a blessing for the community to use all week. We wanted people to look at us and see our church as a place they wanted to come.”

BGW has partnered with the Christian professionals at True North Kids to help our ministry clients establish and manage early childhood education centers that serve as vibrant hubs of spiritual growth, academic excellence, and community engagement. If you’re interested in learning more about the potential of opening an early learning center in your church or Christian school, you can get started today with a free First Look Childcare Report, custom made for your church. It includes demographic reports, childcare specific statistics, industry insight, competition data, and socio-economic understanding. Discover a 7-step approach for ministries that will guide you through initial assessment and feasibility, design and construction, licensing, staffing, enrollment marketing and grand opening.

Learn More