Not Just for Sundays Any More
Church facilities have traditionally been among the most under-utilized buildings in America, sitting empty throughout most of the week. We believe that there are incredible opportunities to develop projects that allow ministry facilities to serve the needs of the local community, not just on Sundays, but 7 days a week.
In recent years, the idea of merging for-profit business within church facilities has become a hallmark of BGW projects. In many cases, these “financially sustainable” models can not only reduce existing overhead costs, but can also become a true catalyst for ministry growth and community impact.
Church facilities have traditionally been among the most under-utilized buildings in America, sitting empty throughout most of the week. We believe that there are incredible opportunities to develop projects that allow ministry facilities to serve the needs of the local community, not just on Sundays, but 7 days a week.
In recent years, the idea of merging for-profit business within church facilities has become a hallmark of BGW projects. In many cases, these “financially sustainable” models can not only reduce existing overhead costs, but can also become a true catalyst for ministry growth and community impact.
Child Care Centers in Churches
While there are a number of possibilities for financially sustainable / for-profit models in churches, child care centers have proven to be the best natural fit for many ministries. As a result, BGW has partnered with leading secular and Christian child care providers to help ministries integrate early learning centers in their buildings. These partners are involved in the BGW design process from the earliest stages, providing valuable input on space requirements as well as business feasibility. In addition, these child care experts provide professional management solutions that can help ensure the success of your new business.
While there are a number of possibilities for financially sustainable / for-profit models in churches, child care centers have proven to be the best natural fit for many ministries. As a result, BGW has partnered with leading secular and Christian child care providers to help ministries integrate early learning centers in their buildings. These partners are involved in the BGW design process from the earliest stages, providing valuable input on space requirements as well as business feasibility. In addition, these child care experts provide professional management solutions that can help ensure the success of your new business.
Learning Care Group (LCG) is the second-largest for-profit child care provider in North America, with more than 900 locations across the country and around the world. LCG has established a new brand of early learning centers called Pathways Learning Academy. Through a collaborative partnership with BGW, Pathways offers faith-based organizations the opportunity to strengthen their community presence and their bottom line by maximizing the use of their own facilities throughout the week. Pathways offers a secular curriculum and learning experiences with opportunities for ministry-led lessons during the day – allowing churches to bring unchurched families onto their property five days a week.
>Learning Care Group (LCG) is the second-largest for-profit child care provider in North America, with more than 900 locations across the country and around the world. LCG has established a new brand of early learning centers called Pathways Learning Academy. Through a collaborative partnership with BGW, Pathways offers faith-based organizations the opportunity to strengthen their community presence and their bottom line by maximizing the use of their own facilities throughout the week. Pathways offers a secular curriculum and learning experiences with opportunities for ministry-led lessons during the day – allowing churches to bring unchurched families onto their property five days a week.
Lionheart Children’s Academy is a non-profit Christian organization committed to excellence in early childhood education. With 11 locations throughout Texas and Ohio, and several more facilities in development, Lionheart is passionate about equipping kids to be world changers, and supporting working parents who need quality, affordable care and education for their children. With an emphasis on children’s educational and spiritual growth, Lionheart’s focus is on addressing the needs of the whole child.
Lionheart Children’s Academy is a non-profit Christian organization committed to excellence in early childhood education. With 11 locations throughout Texas and Ohio, and several more facilities in development, Lionheart is passionate about equipping kids to be world changers, and supporting working parents who need quality, affordable care and education for their children. With an emphasis on children’s educational and spiritual growth, Lionheart’s focus is on addressing the needs of the whole child.
Our Evaluation Process
3 important factors can help determine whether a professionally managed child care center could be a viable business model to pursue on your church property.
1. Location / Demographics – Demographic data is key in understanding the consumer demand for child care in your area and future trends / growth.
2. Competitive Analysis – Understanding the amount and quality of competition for child care services in your local area and their relative strengths and weaknesses will help clarify your potential market share.
3. Funding Capacity – An independent financial analysis helps ministries to better understand their current position as it relates to financial preparedness and borrowing capacity to fund a project.
Every church is different and it would be a mistake to believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution. That is why our process for evaluating financially sustainable models in churches begins with listening. We want to know the story of your church. We want to understand where your church has been so that we might help it go where God is calling it to go. This perspective gathering is the focus of our introductory 30-60 minute “Story Call”.
Pastor Matt Roberts and his team at the Genesis Project serve as Church Strategy Consultants for BGW, providing pastors with a personal liaison to all the tools, resources and strategic business partners available through the BGW Network. Following the Story Call, a recommendation is made regarding next steps and the strategic partners that could help you on your path. This could include a demographic study of your area, a business feasibility report, a property evaluation by our architect / contractor team, or a 12-month strategic game plan with on-going pastor-to-pastor coaching.
3 important factors can help determine whether a professionally managed child care center could be a viable business model to pursue on your church property.
1. Location / Demographics – Demographic data is key in understanding the consumer demand for child care in your area and future trends / growth.
2. Competitive Analysis – Understanding the amount and quality of competition for child care services in your local area and their relative strengths and weaknesses will help clarify your potential market share.
3. Funding Capacity – An independent financial analysis helps ministries to better understand their current position as it relates to financial preparedness and borrowing capacity to fund a project.
Every church is different and it would be a mistake to believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution. That is why our process for evaluating financially sustainable models in churches begins with listening. We want to know the story of your church. We want to understand where your church has been so that we might help it go where God is calling it to go. This perspective gathering is the focus of our introductory 30-60 minute “Story Call”.
Pastor Matt Roberts and his team at the Genesis Project serve as Church Strategy Consultants for BGW, providing pastors with a personal liaison to all the tools, resources and strategic business partners available through the BGW Network. Following the Story Call, a recommendation is made regarding next steps and the strategic partners that could help you on your path. This could include a demographic study of your area, a business feasibility report, a property evaluation by our architect / contractor team, or a 12-month strategic game plan with on-going pastor-to-pastor coaching.
