Currently worshipping at the Everglades Recreation Center
5497 Marsh Bend Trail, The Villages, FL 32163
Sundays - 8:00 AM (Traditional) & 10:00 AM (Contemporary)
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.
Hope South Campus Groundbreaking
We have officially broken ground on the new Hope South Campus! Check out this short video from our Groundbreaking event.
Property Tour
Take a lighthearted tour of the Hope South Campus property with our Lead Pastors.
Recent Updates
While this delay is frustrating, we must recognize that it is part of the construction process. The right people are aware and are working on a solution. We will keep you updated as we learn more.
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.
Master Plan Documents
Project History
- In January 2023 the Church Council approved the AIA Architectural Contract for the Main Building complex with Dickerson Architects, Inc. of Leesburg, Florida.
- In February 2023 the Application for Site Plan Approval (the master plan for all phases of the Hope South Campus) was filed with the City of Wildwood. This process also involves obtaining numerous permits, including water management, water main extension and environmental resource permits.
- In May 2023 the Church Council reassessed the Hope South Campus building timeline and voted to move forward with finalizing plans for the Worship Center and to prioritize the building of the Worship Center before the Activity Center.
- On June 3-4, 2023 the Church Council conducted 4 Congregation Information Meetings involving all 3 Hope campuses to present an update on the Hope South Campus Building Project, including the revision to the Hope South Campus building timeline as decided at the May 2023 Council meeting. The slideshow presentation (Our Plan Forward) from this meeting is available through the link on the Hope South Campus Website.
- On October 6, 2023, the Church Council conducted a Town Hall Meeting at Hope Central Campus where the following information was presented to the members of the congregation: (i) revised design plans for the Worship Center; (ii) the estimated costs of the Worship Center; and (iii) updated on the Matching Gift Challenge and the Capital Campaign.
- On November 15, 2023, the Church Council conducted a Town Hall Meeting at Hope Central Campus where the following information was presented to the members of the congregation: (i) Preliminary Budget Cost Estimates for the Worship Center; (ii) Worship Center Funding Sources and Loan Strategies; and (iii) Sample Ballot for the Special Congregation Meeting scheduled for December 17, 2023.
- On December 17, 2023 a Special Congregation Meeting was held at Hope Central Campus where the members of the congregation voted to approve the following: (i) Construction of the Worship Center and all related site development with a projected cost of $7,850,000, not to exceed $8,000,000; (ii) Construction loan of $4,700,000, not to exceed $4,900,000 from Mission Investment Fund; and (iii) Conversion of the construction loan to a permanent mortgage loan at the end of construction.
- At the June 18, 2024 Council Meeting, Mark Cook Builders, Inc. of Leesburg was approved as the Contractor/Construction Manager for our new Hope South Campus Worship Center.
- On December 3, 2025, Hope officially broke ground on Hope South Campus!