What is the vision of ANCF and has it changed since its founding?

From its earliest days, ANCF has understood its calling through the lens of Isaiah 56:1–7—a passage where God declares that His house will be “a house of prayer for all nations.” In Scripture, “nations” doesn’t refer only to modern geopolitical countries. It refers to peoples—ethnic groups, cultural groups, and even social groups that are often divided by class, status, or opportunity. Isaiah’s vision is of God gathering those who once stood on the outside looking in: foreigners, outcasts, those who felt cut off or overlooked. To them, God promises a place, a name, a family, and joy in His presence.

This passage has shaped ANCF’s identity from the beginning. Our calling to be “a house of prayer for all nations” is not simply about praying for the nations—it is about becoming a community made up of the nations. It is about building a spiritual home where people from different ethnicities, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds, across every generation, don’t just attend but are welcomed, empowered, and raised up to shape the life of the church and to bless the communities they come from. It is a vision of God gathering a people who would never naturally gather unless He Himself brought them together.

So when we say ANCF was called to be a house of prayer for all nations—by all nations—we mean:

 • a church where people from many cultures worship side by side

 • a church where internationals find a spiritual home and a spiritual family

 • a church where socioeconomic barriers are dismantled in Christ

 • a church where generations learn from one another and grow together

 • a church where those who feel like outsiders discover they are welcomed by God Himself

 • a church that reflects the heart of Isaiah 56: God gathering people into His joy

This vision has always required intentionality. Multiethnic, multicultural, multigenerational, and multi‑class community does not happen automatically. It requires proximity to where the nations gather, a posture of hospitality, and a commitment to discipling every generation.

Why are we prioritizing the campus area and university students when our demographics have changed?

As we grow and mature as a church, investing in students helps keep our hearts turned toward the future. It reminds us that part of our calling is to raise up the next generation of disciples and leaders. And for our families, our children benefit when they see faith lived out not only by parents, but also by young adults who are learning to sincerely follow Jesus with conviction.

The campus area is one of the most diverse places in our city. It brings together people from many cultures, backgrounds, and life stages. Staying rooted near campus allows us to live out the fullness of our vision: to be a church where the nations gather, where generations grow together, and where those far from home find a spiritual family.

If we were to move farther into the suburbs, we would create a greater barrier to many of the students and internationals God has called us to love—especially those without transportation. Remaining near campus isn’t about choosing one group over another. It’s about staying faithful to the mission God entrusted to us.

Does that mean we're only looking for buildings around the campus area?

Short answer, yes. From the beginning, ANCF was planted to be a multiethnic, multicultural, and multigenerational church. Those things don’t happen automatically. They require intentionality, especially when one group becomes smaller or harder to reach. Prioritizing the campus area isn’t about choosing students over families—it’s about staying faithful to the mission God gave us: making disciples of all nations and all generations. We want to be a church that can disciple each generation well, continually growing no matter our age or stage of life.

Any decisions about location or facilities will be made with that vision and mission in mind. We want to be a church that welcomes families, supports adults, and continues to reach students and internationals. Staying near the campus helps us remain rooted in our calling while still growing into who God is forming us to become.

About Building Safety & Repairs

Why is it so urgent fix the south wall?

When we purchased this building, we knew the south wall was showing signs of deterioration. At the time, other repairs were more urgent and more manageable, and the cost of addressing the south wall made it a project we hoped to delay until absolutely necessary.

However, over the past year, the condition of the wall has worsened more quickly than expected. The gap between the exterior brick wall and the interior walls has continued to widen, which indicates that the wall is shifting and losing stability. While no one can predict exactly how long it will stand, we do know that winter’s freeze‑thaw cycles accelerate this kind of damage by putting additional pressure on the wall and increases the risk of failure.

Because of this, we’ve reached a point where we can’t simply wait and hope it holds. At minimum, we need to stabilize the wall to ensure the building remains safe for our congregation to gather in. Addressing it now is an act of stewardship—caring for the people God has entrusted to us and for the building we use for ministry.

Can we still safely meet in this building?

By God’s grace, we have met safely in this building for the past eight years. And although we’re thankful for all that we've been able to do here in this building, we don’t want to presume upon that grace or neglect our responsibility to be wise and faithful steward of this building.

Based on what we know, the south wall is not in immediate danger of collapsing, but it is showing signs of increasing deterioration. That is why we’re taking this seriously and moving toward stabilizing it as quickly as we can.

What happens if the wall falls while we're here?

If the south wall were to fail before we can repair it, the city would most likely deem the building unsafe for occupancy. In practical terms, that would mean we could not use any part of the building until the wall was stabilized or rebuilt. A wall failure doesn’t necessarily mean a dramatic collapse—it could be a part of the wall that crumbles or falls away. However, even a small failure could make the building unsafe according to code. Regardless, it would require us to vacate the space immediately and find an alternate location to meet.

That’s why we’re taking this seriously now. We want to address the issue before it reaches that point. By acting proactively, we protect our congregation, avoid an emergency shutdown or returning to a mobile setup, and ensure we can continue gathering without interruption.

What does it mean to shore up the wall?

Shoring up the wall means putting temporary supports in place to stabilize it and keep it from shifting any further. It’s a safety measure designed to hold the damaged wall securely so it doesn’t continue to bow, buckle, or deteriorate.

This isn’t the full repair—it doesn’t fix the underlying structural issues —but it does help prevent the wall from getting worse while we sell the building or find a long‑term solution. Shoring is significantly less expensive and much quicker to install than a full repair, and it allows us to keep using the building safely in the meantime.

How much will it cost to stabilize the wall? Will we need to raise money?

We are still early in the process, so the exact cost of stabilizing the wall isn’t finalized yet. If God were to provide an immediate buyer, we may not need to shore up the wall at all. But in the more likely scenario that we remain here through the next winter, we anticipate paying for the stabilization out of our existing savings.

At this point, we do not plan to launch a building campaign or ask the congregation to raise funds for shoring. Stabilizing the wall is a temporary safety measure, and we expect to cover it with the resources we already have.

What is the grant that we applied for and how much would it provide?

Earlier this year, in March, we applied for a grant through the National Fund for Sacred Spaces, a program that offers financial, planning, and technical support to historic houses of worship across the United States. We are expecting to hear in late June whether we have made it past the first round of consideration. If we advance, we will continue through a second round of applications, and final award decisions will be announced in October 2026.

We applied for this grant specifically to help repair the south wall. The estimated cost of the full repair is $640,000. Because this is a matching grant, the fund would cover half of that amount—$320,000—and we would need to raise the other half ourselves.

If we are awarded the grant, we would not be able to begin construction until we have raised 50% of our portion. The grant is designed this way to ensure that congregations are committed and financially prepared before major restoration work begins.

How does a grant affect our decision making?

If we receive a grant, we believe it would be a clear sign that God is leading us to repair the south wall. At that point, our focus would shift toward discerning how to move forward with raising the matching amount—$320,000, which is the maximum the grant would provide.

However, fixing the wall doesn’t mean we’re committing to stay here forever. It significantly improves the building's safety and its resale value. We will continue to remain open to whatever future God may provide—even if that means a different location down the road.

Selling the Building

Who is helping us sell the building?

We’re working with Kohr Royer Griffith, a commercial real estate firm with vast experience in the Short North and campus corridor, and beyond. They’ve handled many redevelopment and mixed‑use projects in our area and understand the unique dynamics, zoning issues, and buyer interest that come with properties like ours.

They will be guiding us through pricing, timing, and positioning the building so we can pursue the best possible outcome. Their expertise helps us understand when to list, how to price the property realistically, and how to attract the right kind of buyers.

In addition to helping us sell this building, they are also assisting us in identifying potential new properties that could fit our congregation's current and future needs. Their team regularly works with churches and nonprofits, so they understand the unique challenges and opportunities involved in both selling and relocating.

How much is our building worth?

We don’t have a final number yet for what our building is worth. Its value depends on several factors—its location, zoning, redevelopment potential, and the current interest of buyers in the Short North and campus corridor.

The condition of the south wall also affects resale value. A building that needs major structural repair will appraise lower, while a stabilized or repaired wall positions the property more favorably for buyers.

Kohr Royer Griffith is helping us evaluate all of this—comparable sales, market conditions, and how the wall’s condition factors into pricing—so we can determine a realistic and strategic price when we’re ready to list.

How long will it take to sell?

We don’t know exactly how long it will take to sell the building, but we expect it could take some time. Church buildings aren’t typically quick‑sale properties, and we’re aware of other church facilities in the area that have stayed on the market for a number of years.

If a developer is interested, the timeline can stretch even further. Rezoning often adds months to the process, and there’s no guarantee a buyer will move forward even after rezoning is approved.

In short, we’re preparing for a slower timeline while trusting God to provide the right buyer at the right time.

Have we found another buildings to purchase?

At this point, we haven’t identified a specific building to purchase. We are aware of one particular building that has been on the market for several years. However, we’re exploring all types of facilities—church buildings, commercial spaces, and other properties that could be adapted for use.

However, any purchase would need to line up with the sale of our current building. Most sellers are not willing to take their property off the market for a buyer whose offer depends on selling another building first. Because of that, we expect that our next property will likely become a real option after we have a buyer for our current one.

What if the building sells before we secure a new location?

It’s possible the building could sell before we secure a new location. If that happens, we would need to explore temporary meeting options—such as renting space from another church, school, or institution—while we continue searching for a permanent home. Our priority in that season would be simple: stay together and keep making disciples, even if we’re meeting in a borrowed space for a time.