Sharing the Love of Christ with the Southern Villages
The Mission of Hope Lutheran Church is “To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known." This short statement is at the heart of our ongoing expansion project. We desire to carry out Christ's Great Commission by reaching more people than ever and bringing them to faith in Christ.
In recent years, The Villages has seen incredible growth. This southward expansion has presented Hope with the opportunity to spread the Word of God and the message of Jesus Christ to new neighbors through the building of a third campus.
As we work toward our future Hope South Campus, we are engaging the southern community through worship at the Everglades Recreation Center, along with neighborhood groups and activities aimed at growing our presence in this new area.
In recent years, The Villages has seen incredible growth. This southward expansion has presented Hope with the opportunity to spread the Word of God and the message of Jesus Christ to new neighbors through the building of a third campus.
As we work toward our future Hope South Campus, we are engaging the southern community through worship at the Everglades Recreation Center, along with neighborhood groups and activities aimed at growing our presence in this new area.
July 10, 2026
The first walls are standing tall at Hope South Campus! Construction teams have been hard at work on our property. Concrete has been poured (those vertical steel cages you see below are the steel reinforcement for the front wall columns) and workers have been laboring until the late evening, often in blistering heat and stormy conditions. The photos below depict the current interior of Hope South Campus from multiple angles. As you can see, the campus building is quickly taking shape!
If you would like to support the Hope South Campus building project, we ask that you please pray for both the success of the project and the safety of the construction workers, and consider giving to support the building project by clicking here.
The first walls are standing tall at Hope South Campus! Construction teams have been hard at work on our property. Concrete has been poured (those vertical steel cages you see below are the steel reinforcement for the front wall columns) and workers have been laboring until the late evening, often in blistering heat and stormy conditions. The photos below depict the current interior of Hope South Campus from multiple angles. As you can see, the campus building is quickly taking shape!
If you would like to support the Hope South Campus building project, we ask that you please pray for both the success of the project and the safety of the construction workers, and consider giving to support the building project by clicking here.
July 3, 2026
We have walls on our Hope South Campus property! Construction down south continues to advance at a positive rate. Workers are laboring hard to construct concrete block walls, navigating high temperatures and sudden afternoon storms to do so. Please pray for our construction workers and for our Hope South Campus building project! As always, your continued support is necessary to make this building project a success. You can give online to support Hope South Campus by visiting hope4all.church/give.
We have walls on our Hope South Campus property! Construction down south continues to advance at a positive rate. Workers are laboring hard to construct concrete block walls, navigating high temperatures and sudden afternoon storms to do so. Please pray for our construction workers and for our Hope South Campus building project! As always, your continued support is necessary to make this building project a success. You can give online to support Hope South Campus by visiting hope4all.church/give.
June 19, 2026
It's been a very exciting week at our Hope Lutheran Church South Campus! Earlier in the week, we received our first shipment of block for the exterior walls. Since then, crews have been busily laying the exterior block walls and erecting steel columns to support the Worship Center’s sanctuary. Great progress has been shown on the first day of exterior work. Workers are laboring diligently on our property in the Florida summer heat. We encourage you to pray for them and for our Hope South Campus Building Project.
It's been a very exciting week at our Hope Lutheran Church South Campus! Earlier in the week, we received our first shipment of block for the exterior walls. Since then, crews have been busily laying the exterior block walls and erecting steel columns to support the Worship Center’s sanctuary. Great progress has been shown on the first day of exterior work. Workers are laboring diligently on our property in the Florida summer heat. We encourage you to pray for them and for our Hope South Campus Building Project.
June 12, 2026
The concrete floor slab for the Hope South Campus Worship Center was poured on Thursday morning starting at 2:00am! About a dozen workers worked throughout the night, placing the concrete and then finishing the surface in the morning. The cooler overnight temperatures allow the concrete to cure more slowly with less sun exposure and evaporation, allowing for a more consistent finish.
The concrete floor slab for the Hope South Campus Worship Center was poured on Thursday morning starting at 2:00am! About a dozen workers worked throughout the night, placing the concrete and then finishing the surface in the morning. The cooler overnight temperatures allow the concrete to cure more slowly with less sun exposure and evaporation, allowing for a more consistent finish.
May 29, 2026
Progress remains steady as the rough-in work for the under-slab electrical and plumbing systems advances at Hope South Campus. Looking ahead, the team will soon move on to installing the vapor barrier, followed by compacting the base, conducting inspections, and making final preparations for the floor slab pour. Simultaneously, installation of the water lines, fire riser, and hydrant is underway. Once the slab has been poured, attention will shift to constructing the block wall. At this stage, most of the storm water and sewage systems have already been completed. As we move into June, the site will begin to take shape, gradually transforming into a recognizable building.
Progress remains steady as the rough-in work for the under-slab electrical and plumbing systems advances at Hope South Campus. Looking ahead, the team will soon move on to installing the vapor barrier, followed by compacting the base, conducting inspections, and making final preparations for the floor slab pour. Simultaneously, installation of the water lines, fire riser, and hydrant is underway. Once the slab has been poured, attention will shift to constructing the block wall. At this stage, most of the storm water and sewage systems have already been completed. As we move into June, the site will begin to take shape, gradually transforming into a recognizable building.
May 15, 2026
The force main issues with the City of Wildwood have been successfully addressed, and all necessary materials are now on order. This week, work on installing the storm water drainage system is progressing as planned. Notably, a significant milestone has been reached with the pouring of the concrete foundation, followed by the start of laying the concrete block stem walls. Each of these steps marks important progress in our construction timeline.
The force main issues with the City of Wildwood have been successfully addressed, and all necessary materials are now on order. This week, work on installing the storm water drainage system is progressing as planned. Notably, a significant milestone has been reached with the pouring of the concrete foundation, followed by the start of laying the concrete block stem walls. Each of these steps marks important progress in our construction timeline.
April 24, 2026
The team has finalized an agreement to relocate the force main on the Hope South Campus site using the "wet tap/line stop" method. This approach enables us to move forward with both the force main relocation and the rest of the ongoing site work without further delay. At present, installation of the sanitary sewer and manholes for the Worship Center is underway, marking significant progress on the project.
The team has finalized an agreement to relocate the force main on the Hope South Campus site using the "wet tap/line stop" method. This approach enables us to move forward with both the force main relocation and the rest of the ongoing site work without further delay. At present, installation of the sanitary sewer and manholes for the Worship Center is underway, marking significant progress on the project.
March 27, 2026
Last week’s News in the Pews informed congregants that site work on the Hope South Campus would re-commence the week of March 23.
Any of you who have gone past the site have no doubt been excited to see the activity, equipment and materials! Hope’s contractors continue to gather bids for the wet tap process, which will enable the force main to be relocated. As of this date, one bid is still outstanding, but we still expect bids to be received in early April so that work can be awarded.
Last week’s News in the Pews informed congregants that site work on the Hope South Campus would re-commence the week of March 23.
Any of you who have gone past the site have no doubt been excited to see the activity, equipment and materials! Hope’s contractors continue to gather bids for the wet tap process, which will enable the force main to be relocated. As of this date, one bid is still outstanding, but we still expect bids to be received in early April so that work can be awarded.
March 20, 2026
Last month, we alerted Hope members that a previously agreed upon plan to relocate the force main which runs along the turnpike side of Hope South Campus was no longer viable due to a recently discovered inability to divert the flow from Coleman Federal Prison for sufficient time to relocate the force main. That news necessitated a temporary work stoppage on the site while Hope contractors investigated other possible methods of dealing with the issue.
Since that time, the Hope Building Team, architect, civil engineer, and Hope’s representative from Mark Cook Builders have been investigating alternative options. The solution that works best involves what is known as a wet tap process. Hope’s builder has been in touch with two companies who are skilled at handling this sort of specialized work. It is anticipated that bids for this process will be returned to Hope representatives by early April with work on relocating the force main commencing soon after a contract is awarded.
In order not to lose more time in other areas, building site work is scheduled to begin again the week of March 23. We will continue to keep congregants up to date as more information becomes known.
Last month, we alerted Hope members that a previously agreed upon plan to relocate the force main which runs along the turnpike side of Hope South Campus was no longer viable due to a recently discovered inability to divert the flow from Coleman Federal Prison for sufficient time to relocate the force main. That news necessitated a temporary work stoppage on the site while Hope contractors investigated other possible methods of dealing with the issue.
Since that time, the Hope Building Team, architect, civil engineer, and Hope’s representative from Mark Cook Builders have been investigating alternative options. The solution that works best involves what is known as a wet tap process. Hope’s builder has been in touch with two companies who are skilled at handling this sort of specialized work. It is anticipated that bids for this process will be returned to Hope representatives by early April with work on relocating the force main commencing soon after a contract is awarded.
In order not to lose more time in other areas, building site work is scheduled to begin again the week of March 23. We will continue to keep congregants up to date as more information becomes known.
December 3, 2025
Hope officially broke ground on Hope South Campus! Construction is underway. Stay tuned for updated!
Hope officially broke ground on Hope South Campus! Construction is underway. Stay tuned for updated!
October 29, 2025
Hope announced the results of our Matching Challenge Gift - a whopping $1,500,759 was raised!
Hope announced the results of our Matching Challenge Gift - a whopping $1,500,759 was raised!
October 29, 2025
Town Hall Meeting Presentation & Budget Details
Town Hall Meeting Presentation & Budget Details
October 28, 2025
Loan & Ballot Review: Important Info for the Congregational Meeting
Loan & Ballot Review: Important Info for the Congregational Meeting
October 25, 2025
Budget Matters Update: Important Info for the Congregational Meeting
Budget Matters Update: Important Info for the Congregational Meeting
August 21, 2025
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: Everglades Rec Center and Hope South Campus Worship Center
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: Everglades Rec Center and Hope South Campus Worship Center
July 15, 2025
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: What's New with the Hope South Campus Building Project?
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: What's New with the Hope South Campus Building Project?
June 30, 2025
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: New Construction Drawings for the Redesigned Worship Center
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: New Construction Drawings for the Redesigned Worship Center
May 21, 2025
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: New Renderings for the Redesigned Worship Center
Hope South Campus Worship Center Project Update: New Renderings for the Redesigned Worship Center
April 2, 2025
A Preliminary Revised Floor Plan for the Worship Center has been presented to the congregation. Click the button below to view the message and new plans.
A Preliminary Revised Floor Plan for the Worship Center has been presented to the congregation. Click the button below to view the message and new plans.
March 2025
Mark Cook Builders, Inc. of Leesburg was approved as the Contractor/Construction Manager for our new Hope South Campus Worship Center at the June 18 Council meeting. Mark Cook Builders has a devoted team known for delivering high quality buildings. The company has done extensive work in The Villages, including several churches, and has an outstanding reputation within the surrounding community.
As Contractor/Construction Manager, Mark Cook Builders will initially be working with our architect, Judd Dickerson, and his team of technical professionals to develop a detailed cost estimate, which is a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) within the constraints of our approved budget. Upon the Council’s approval of the GMP, Hope will enter into a binding agreement for both the guaranteed cost and construction schedule. The development of the GMP will take an estimated 60 to 90 days.
Mark Cook Builders, Inc. of Leesburg was approved as the Contractor/Construction Manager for our new Hope South Campus Worship Center at the June 18 Council meeting. Mark Cook Builders has a devoted team known for delivering high quality buildings. The company has done extensive work in The Villages, including several churches, and has an outstanding reputation within the surrounding community.
As Contractor/Construction Manager, Mark Cook Builders will initially be working with our architect, Judd Dickerson, and his team of technical professionals to develop a detailed cost estimate, which is a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) within the constraints of our approved budget. Upon the Council’s approval of the GMP, Hope will enter into a binding agreement for both the guaranteed cost and construction schedule. The development of the GMP will take an estimated 60 to 90 days.
