In1896 a small group of believers in Memphis, Indiana gathered together and formed what we now know as Memphis Christian Church (MCC). The first building was erected on Main Street months later. In 1901, the original building was destroyed by fire.  A new building was erected in 1907 and served the church for the next 8 decades. After receiving a very generous donation from a community leader of 7 acres near the interstate, construction began at the current site in the fall of 1987. On March 13, 1988, the congregation marched from the Main Street building to the new Memphis-Bluelick building and held their first service. Throughout the years this small, but committed group of believers have had an impact on their community and their world.

In 2006, MCC relaunched its ministry with an expanded focus on the Southern Indiana Communities of Scott, Greater Clark, West Clark, East Washington and surrounding counties with this four-fold mission and purpose. We exist as a church to help people:

• Discover God’s love, grace, and desire for relationship for them.

• Connect with God and with others who share in their faith journey.

• Grow in their knowledge of who Jesus is, becoming more like Him.

• Love by considering the needs of others above their own.

The influence we are having on our community is profound and our intention is to expand this influence. Over the last ten years, we have witnessed over 400 individuals and families come to a relationship with Jesus Christ in baptism. We have ordained 6 men into vocational ministry, developed 12 men to serve as Elders, and trained numerous small groups and ministry leaders. This is deeply exciting and continues to require a growing faith and willingness among us all as we work with limited physical resources, the most obvious of which is the lack of classroom, lobby, and large gathering space.

Today, MCC is fulfilling this mission in the lives of more than 600 individuals and families through a robust children and family ministry, a vibrant youth ministry, and small groups that meet throughout the week in homes or on campus. In fact, the MCC campus is in use at least 5 out of 7 days each week. Currently, more than 90% of regular attenders serve in some capacity among the multiple programs and ministries. 

On any given Saturday night, Sunday morning, or Wednesday evening, every classroom is filled nearly to capacity with children, teens, and adults. Efforts to use our current space efficiently have been exhaustive. This is especially true of our thriving children’s and teen ministry, which have grown from 5 children to more than 150 in the last 16 years. Our service to the community is requiring large gathering spaces to host teen events, foster family gatherings, VBS, and other special opportunities like MDWK that reaches over 200+ people every other week!

In 2014, our Pastor, Elders, and Staff began working with a designer, contractor consultant, and engineer to express a vision and plan for physical space that will accommodate the ministry that God has given MCC. The proposed solution was a three-phase project that was most reflective of the heart of our MCC Family.

PHASE1

In 2016, with a vision, a three-phase project that was most reflective of the heart of our MCC Family, and a capital fundraising goal of 1.3 Million well on its way, we began site work, necessary utility upgrades, and finally construction on Phase I. In 2018, construction of a large Main Lobby, atrium, offices, kitchen, and classroom wing was complete. We then moved forward with the complete renovation and build-out of a first-class Clubhouse suite of classrooms, worship space, restrooms, and lobby for our children 5th grade and under.  Finally, in 2019, we modified the existing Worship Center, to provide additional seating, new windows, and entrance to accommodate the over 100 new families now attending MCC. By God’s grace and the commitment of this Church family, Phase 1 was completed without incurring debt and within cost estimates!

PHASE 2

Today, we find ourselves near capacity and ready for Phase 2 at an estimated cost of $800,000. This includes a 2nd main entry, portico, and lobby. The addition of classrooms, restrooms, and a large Multi-purpose space capable of seating over 450 people at tables or 500 seats for worship, teaching, MDWK, and family gatherings, equipped with a stage, baptistery, dressing rooms, and large storage areas. When not in use for weekend and MDWK gatherings, the large open space with 22 ft high ceilings will be set up for basketball, volleyball, skating, and other family activities. Fundraising efforts to date have us over one-third of the way funded.

CURRENT STATUS:

The progress on Phase II of our building project has been extraordinary and completely debt-free.  As you have noticed, to a very limited extent, we have used the unfinished space for church-wide events like Block Party (VBS), connect groups, and various meals, and we plan to host Christmas Eve services in the space next month.  With only temporary electricity available, and limited rental heating, our need to finish building out this space is upon us.

Since breaking ground last year, over $1.1 Million has been given to date, along with hundreds of hours of volunteer time. The partnership of many has allowed this project to continue. The immediate next steps and estimated costs are as follows:

• Framing & Staging Finish $ 50,000
• Electrical rough-in  $ 80,000
• HVAC $ 160,000
• Plumbing rough in $ 50,000
• Insulation $ 70,000
• Drywall & Finish $ 150,000  
• Wood Trim/Doors $ 80,000
• TOTAL* $ 640,000

This year we are asking every person and family who calls MCC “home” to prayerfully commit to being part of finishing this project TOGETHER in 2025.  As many of us have learned, God chooses to provide the resources needed through us.  We are the conduit, the vessel that He fills and refills in order to grow His Kingdom.

Here are three ways we can finish this project together.

1.  Daily prayer in asking God to provide the needed resources as He continues to awaken us, and the world around us, to come to relationship with Him.
2.  Be present at The Gathering. Bring family and friends, and be a light in our community by living a life fully devoted to and rooted in Jesus Christ.
3.  Trust God and His command to Tithe (10% of income to the ministry) and sacrificially give Above and Beyond in one of the following ways:

Giving Above and Beyond the Tithe:

• A one-time sacrificial gift (investments, property, cash)
• Weekly sacrificial gifts (If each INDIVIDUAL who attends MCC gives $19.23 per week for 52 weeks this would yield $600,000. Or if each FAMILY who attends MCC gives $47 per week for 52 weeks this would yield $600,000.   It’s incredible to see that for less than the cost of one mocha latte per day we can finish this building.)

How to give:  (all donations are tax deductible)