OUR TEAM
Eric Whedon
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Jessica Malcheff
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Rick Jenkins
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OUR VISION
At Hillsdale UB Church, our mission is simple and unwavering: to know Christ and to make Him known. Everything we do - from worship and discipleship to outreach and community service - is centered on creating a place where people can encounter Jesus and grow in faith.
The Pave the Way campaign will improve and modernize our parking lot and infrastructure areas, creating a safer, more welcoming, and more functional environment for all who come onto our campus. This project is not about convenience - it is about removing obstacles so that nothing stands in the way of people encountering Christ.
By investing in these improvements, we are:
OUR NEED
The need is immediate. Continued deterioration will increase repair costs, create greater safety risks, and limit our ability to serve effectively. Delaying this project only compounds the challenges and expenses. Action now allows us to steward God's resources wisely, address critical needs, and move forward with confidence.
We believe the Pave the Way campaign is a tangible way to live out our mission. When we pave the way, we are preparing hearts and spaces for worship, discipleship, and outreach - today and for generations to come. We invite you to prayerfully consider how you can partner with Hillsdale UB Church in this vital effort. Together, we can pave the way so that more people may know Christ and make Him known.
At Hillsdale UB Church, our mission is simple and unwavering: to know Christ and to make Him known. Everything we do - from worship and discipleship to outreach and community service - is centered on creating a place where people can encounter Jesus and grow in faith.
The Pave the Way campaign will improve and modernize our parking lot and infrastructure areas, creating a safer, more welcoming, and more functional environment for all who come onto our campus. This project is not about convenience - it is about removing obstacles so that nothing stands in the way of people encountering Christ.
By investing in these improvements, we are:
- Creating a safe and accessible campus for all generations
- Stengthening our capacity to welcome new families and visitors
- Supporting the long-term sustainablity of our church facilities
- Preparing our campus for future growth and ministry opportunities
OUR NEED
The need is immediate. Continued deterioration will increase repair costs, create greater safety risks, and limit our ability to serve effectively. Delaying this project only compounds the challenges and expenses. Action now allows us to steward God's resources wisely, address critical needs, and move forward with confidence.
We believe the Pave the Way campaign is a tangible way to live out our mission. When we pave the way, we are preparing hearts and spaces for worship, discipleship, and outreach - today and for generations to come. We invite you to prayerfully consider how you can partner with Hillsdale UB Church in this vital effort. Together, we can pave the way so that more people may know Christ and make Him known.
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Q & A
Why is the Pave the Way campaign a top priority for our church?
We know that there are many areas of improvement that we would like to address on our campus and in relation to various ministries. Our elders and the campaign team have discussed enhancements to the worship center, renovations and expansion of our commons area, kitchen, bathrooms, and improvements to our children’s wing. We have contacted five architectural firms concerning interior renovations. After extended conversations with three of them and a quote from one, priority was placed on the exterior needs of our campus. The parking lot and paving project is of great importance right now as it has become unsafe, and as it continues to deteriorate, it will inhibit the Hillsdale UB guest and member experience.
What due diligence has been completed regarding this project?
We have received six estimates, all with concerns about the current state of the parking lot and the infrastructure supporting it. All six companies commented on the immediate need of this project to limit further degradation of the infrastructure of the parking lot. We have chosen the company we felt provides the greatest quality at the most reasonable pricing. In addition to the practical research of the project and all available surfacing options, the campaign committee, elders, and staff have actively prayed over this project for the past 3 years. Our prayers have been for wisdom and direction as we consider the funds needed and the overall impact an undertaking of this magnitude may have on ministry.
Who has been involved in the decision-making process and is overseeing our progress?
Our elders, as with all major directional decisions, have considered this project over the past several years. They formed the campaign committee to lead the fundraising efforts and all communication for this particular project.
Three individuals, in addition to Pastor Josh, make up the campaign committee. They serve as your active points of contact for questions and other conversations throughout the course of the campaign.
Those three include:
Rick Jenkins – Rick knows a thing or two about paving projects. Besides his current profession in the construction industry, he also worked at MDOT for 17 years (10 of which were as a Paving Engineer). He has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of why the infrastructure and pavement project is necessary at this time.
Eric Whedon – Eric is a chiropractor by day and a campaign superhero by night! His enthusiasm for ministry and ability to communicate the importance of the project as well as share the story behind it all, makes him the perfect rallying agent. Eric has been working behind the scenes already, seeking out potential grants to help fund this particular project. He and his wife, Lauren, have also made an initial and generous gift to the Pave the Way campaign!
Jessica Malcheff – Jess loves this church and the people that make it! She is excited for Hillsdale UB’s growth and continued improvements to facilitate areas that make guests feel welcomed and loved. Jess has worked for 20+ years in the philanthropy and nonprofit sector raising funds and awareness for important projects just like this. She has a proven track record of acquiring the resources needed for projects big and small, which is why we are confident people will say, “Yes to the Jess!”
All three of our team members can be reached at the email, [email protected]. You can also find them at church on any given weekend!
What exactly do you mean when you say, “We are launching a Pave the Way campaign”?
This means we are actively praying and seeking monetary gifts, over and above regular tithing gifts, that can help us cover the cost of the project. This project will include the removal of the present asphalt at our north and south entrances and parking lots. Those lots will then be regraded, leveled, compacted, and repaved with 4 inches (2 courses w/ bond-coating between) of new asphalt. The east lot (in front of the original sanctuary) and most western lot (behind and beside the activity center) will be cleaned, cleared of debris & vegetation, cracks filled and sealed. In addition, the parking lot will be expanded to include the current green space behind the garage (adding 39 new parking spaces). Finally, line-striping with a new layout will optimize volume and traffic flow. The cost for all improvements is $400,000. We have a capital improvements budget line that currently has $33,000 allocated to this project. We must have $200,000 on hand to schedule the work done, with the balance due at completion of the work. Our goal is to complete this project by this September (2026). More information will be available in the coming weeks as to how you can be involved in this campaign, how to give toward it, along with updates to our progress.
$400,000 is a lot of money! If I am only able to give a small amount toward the campaign, will it even matter?
This is a common feeling with campaigns of this nature. The short answer is — every gift matters! Jesus praised the widow who gave even the smallest of gifts, as it revealed her heart for his kingdom. Small, medium, and large gifts are all needed to complete a project of this magnitude and reveal our unified effort to faithfully care for the resources God has entrusted to us. It all works together and adds up. Please be prayerful and open as you consider what your participation looks like in the coming weeks and months as you hear more about the campaign.
Today, we simply ask you to pray for the success of the campaign and that you will support it by attending upcoming events. If you have specific ideas of how you would like to participate, please let the campaign committee know!
Why is the Pave the Way campaign a top priority for our church?
We know that there are many areas of improvement that we would like to address on our campus and in relation to various ministries. Our elders and the campaign team have discussed enhancements to the worship center, renovations and expansion of our commons area, kitchen, bathrooms, and improvements to our children’s wing. We have contacted five architectural firms concerning interior renovations. After extended conversations with three of them and a quote from one, priority was placed on the exterior needs of our campus. The parking lot and paving project is of great importance right now as it has become unsafe, and as it continues to deteriorate, it will inhibit the Hillsdale UB guest and member experience.
What due diligence has been completed regarding this project?
We have received six estimates, all with concerns about the current state of the parking lot and the infrastructure supporting it. All six companies commented on the immediate need of this project to limit further degradation of the infrastructure of the parking lot. We have chosen the company we felt provides the greatest quality at the most reasonable pricing. In addition to the practical research of the project and all available surfacing options, the campaign committee, elders, and staff have actively prayed over this project for the past 3 years. Our prayers have been for wisdom and direction as we consider the funds needed and the overall impact an undertaking of this magnitude may have on ministry.
Who has been involved in the decision-making process and is overseeing our progress?
Our elders, as with all major directional decisions, have considered this project over the past several years. They formed the campaign committee to lead the fundraising efforts and all communication for this particular project.
Three individuals, in addition to Pastor Josh, make up the campaign committee. They serve as your active points of contact for questions and other conversations throughout the course of the campaign.
Those three include:
Rick Jenkins – Rick knows a thing or two about paving projects. Besides his current profession in the construction industry, he also worked at MDOT for 17 years (10 of which were as a Paving Engineer). He has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of why the infrastructure and pavement project is necessary at this time.
Eric Whedon – Eric is a chiropractor by day and a campaign superhero by night! His enthusiasm for ministry and ability to communicate the importance of the project as well as share the story behind it all, makes him the perfect rallying agent. Eric has been working behind the scenes already, seeking out potential grants to help fund this particular project. He and his wife, Lauren, have also made an initial and generous gift to the Pave the Way campaign!
Jessica Malcheff – Jess loves this church and the people that make it! She is excited for Hillsdale UB’s growth and continued improvements to facilitate areas that make guests feel welcomed and loved. Jess has worked for 20+ years in the philanthropy and nonprofit sector raising funds and awareness for important projects just like this. She has a proven track record of acquiring the resources needed for projects big and small, which is why we are confident people will say, “Yes to the Jess!”
All three of our team members can be reached at the email, [email protected]. You can also find them at church on any given weekend!
What exactly do you mean when you say, “We are launching a Pave the Way campaign”?
This means we are actively praying and seeking monetary gifts, over and above regular tithing gifts, that can help us cover the cost of the project. This project will include the removal of the present asphalt at our north and south entrances and parking lots. Those lots will then be regraded, leveled, compacted, and repaved with 4 inches (2 courses w/ bond-coating between) of new asphalt. The east lot (in front of the original sanctuary) and most western lot (behind and beside the activity center) will be cleaned, cleared of debris & vegetation, cracks filled and sealed. In addition, the parking lot will be expanded to include the current green space behind the garage (adding 39 new parking spaces). Finally, line-striping with a new layout will optimize volume and traffic flow. The cost for all improvements is $400,000. We have a capital improvements budget line that currently has $33,000 allocated to this project. We must have $200,000 on hand to schedule the work done, with the balance due at completion of the work. Our goal is to complete this project by this September (2026). More information will be available in the coming weeks as to how you can be involved in this campaign, how to give toward it, along with updates to our progress.
$400,000 is a lot of money! If I am only able to give a small amount toward the campaign, will it even matter?
This is a common feeling with campaigns of this nature. The short answer is — every gift matters! Jesus praised the widow who gave even the smallest of gifts, as it revealed her heart for his kingdom. Small, medium, and large gifts are all needed to complete a project of this magnitude and reveal our unified effort to faithfully care for the resources God has entrusted to us. It all works together and adds up. Please be prayerful and open as you consider what your participation looks like in the coming weeks and months as you hear more about the campaign.
Today, we simply ask you to pray for the success of the campaign and that you will support it by attending upcoming events. If you have specific ideas of how you would like to participate, please let the campaign committee know!