I. The Purpose of the Hope Center

What is the Hope Center? [top]
The Hope Center will be a new 9-acre home for multiple Christian ministries.

Why was the Hope Center created? [top]
The goal of the Hope Center is to create a setting for approximately 30 like-minded ministries that will …

• Promote synergy
• Increase financial stewardship
• Expand the life-changing impact of these ministries around the world

How will the Hope Center provide synergy between the ministries? [top]

• Working in such close proximity will foster opportunities for increased cooperation, drawing on each other’s areas of expertise rather than “reinventing the wheel.”
• Those from different ministries who have similar job responsibilities will meet to brainstorm, problem solve, and share common practices.
• Managers of finance, fund-raising, and technology will be able to meet together—frequently and inexpensively—with the goal of enhancing their areas of specialty even more than before.
• Ministry team members who discuss their ideas and projects with like-minded people can accomplish more together than any one ministry could achieve alone.
• We will inevitably experience the “bump factor”—bumping into those we normally wouldn’t encounter. As a result, the principle of Proverbs 27:17 (NIV), “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” will flourish.
• How will the Hope Center promote better stewardship?
• All ministries at the Hope Center are “nonprofits,” and they share a common commitment to making the most of every donor dollar.
• Pro-rata amenities such as a shared telephone and computer system, conference rooms, and fulfillment center will enable tenants to “do more ministry with less money.”
• The offices are designed to minimize overall costs and to maximize cooperation between the campus ministries.
• The Hope Center will be built to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) specifications. LEED establishes nationally accepted benchmarks for the design, construction, and operation of high-performing “green” buildings. This classification will ensure that the campus is environmentally responsible and will provide a healthy place for employees to work.
• With approximately 300 employees working under one roof, increased opportunities for carpooling will exist, which will, in turn, save energy and money.

How will the project facilitate spreading the message of Christ? [top]

• With the increased synergy between ministries, the tenants of the Hope Center will begin to better understand one another’s ministries, products, services, and areas of expertise, thus . . .
  • fostering cooperative joint ventures,
  • and creating a small army of individuals equipped to educate and promote various ministry products and services around the community … and around the world

Is the Hope Center primarily intended to help ministries cut costs? [top]
No, the purpose for the Hope Center is far more ambitious. Our desire is that the Hope Center will become a model for similar campuses across the globe.

How is the Hope Center classified? [top]
The Hope Center is registered as a 501(c)(3) religious organization.

Can any ministry be a part of this project? [top]
No, all of our campus ministries must be …

• Organized as evangelical Christian ministries that have expressed general agreement with the Hope Center Foundation’s “Statement of Faith”
• Committed to synergy, recognizing the strength of strategic partnerships and alliances
• Committed to discipleship and Christian leadership development
• Committed to evangelism and world missions
• Committed to ministering to felt needs and Christian social outreach
• Registered as a 501(c)(3) ministry (private or public/supporting)
• Members in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)

What types of events will occur on campus? [top]
The Hope Center will host conferences and seminars targeting personal growth, leadership, missions, and a variety of other trainings to promote spiritual growth … as well as worship events and other activities related to each ministry’s efforts. Most activities will be hosted on weekdays rather than on weekends.

Will the meeting facilities be available to rent (such as for weddings, etc.)? [top]
No, the facilities will be available only for campus ministries’ use. The general public will have access to the prayer garden, bookstore, and café.

II. The Property of the Hope Center

Where is the property located? [top]
The Hope Center is located at 2001 West Plano Parkway in Plano, Texas, at the northeast corner of Plano Parkway and Custer Road, one block north of the George Bush Turnpike. .

How large is the building? [top]
The Hope Center is an approximately 189,000 square-foot building, with about 175,000 square-feet of space dedicated to our campus ministries’ space needs.

When did construction begin and when will it end? [top]

• The ground breaking for construction took place on June 30, 2008.
• The building will be “topped out” on March 21, 2009.
• And our contractor assures us we will be in the building by October of 2009 (or earlier).

Who is the project architect and who is the builder? [top]
The project architect is Good, Fulton & Farrell; and the builder is Beck.

Who can I contact for more information about the actual construction project? [top]
You can contact our developer/agent, George Cooley, Cymcor President (www.cymcor.com) or Brent Ray, Hope For The Heart President (www.HopeForTheHeart.org).

What will the campus look like? [top]

• The design calls for an inviting, mountain lodge-style building nestled in a park-like setting.
• The warmth and appeal of a retreat center will be surrounded by 9 acres of lush landscaping, walking paths, and a prayer garden.
• The campus was uniquely designed to complement the natural surroundings and benefit the community.

Will employees’ parked cars be visible? [top]
There will be ground-level parking for visitors to the Hope Center. A parking garage will house the vehicles belonging to ministry staff members. In addition, the garage will be screened with greenery and landscaping to make it as inconspicuous as possible.

What amenities will be included on the campus? [top]
Amenities, including some of the “pro-rata” options, will include:

What obstacles have you encountered along the way? [top]
We have not encountered any noteworthy obstacles. The tenants, City of Plano, and homeowners’ association have been wonderful to work with.

Did you request any zoning variances for the project? [top]
No, construction will carefully follow the codes and zoning ordinances of the City of Plano.

Who owns the Hope Center? [top]

• The Hope Center Foundation owns and will operate the Hope Center.
• The Foundation is a nonprofit entity, established expressly for this purpose.
• In 2008 the Foundation purchased the property from Rosewood Corporation.
• A capital campaign is under way and will continue through 2010.
• The total project cost is estimated at $46 million.
• Interim financing has been arranged through Northern Trust.

III. The People of the Hope Center

What will be the initial occupancy rate? [top]
The building will be fully occupied upon completion.

Who are tenants? [top]
The building will be fully occupied upon completion with approximately 30 ministries., including the partial list located on our Campus Ministries page.

Are any ministries moving to DFW to be part of this? [top]
Yes, currently at least two ministries will be relocating to the area.

Will any new jobs be created? [top]
Yes, all of the Hope Center campus ministries have projected their own respective growth over the course of the next 5 to 10 years and that expansion has been calculated into their space and program.

In addition, we will be employing personnel in the Hope Center building management group.

Will people live at the Hope Center? [top]
No, there will be no residences or living quarters on-site.

How do your other neighbors feel about the campus? [top]
All interaction with the neighbors has been exceptionally positive.

How has the Lutheran Church next door responded? Did they plan to build on that property? [top]
In all of our discussions with the leadership of the Messiah Lutheran Church, we have found them to be wonderful neighbors—and we intend to reciprocate that spirit!

IV. The Model for the Hope Center

How long has the project been in the works? [top]
Planning for the Hope Center began in 2006. The idea was conceived over a decade ago.

Was there a model for this campus? [top]

• The tenant agreement was modeled after a study of numerous, multi-tenant centers located around the nation—primarily in the secular nonprofit arena. The Meadows Foundation here in Dallas is one very good example of the centers that were studied.
• The Jericho Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, also provided inspiration for the Hope Center model.
• In the Christian world, the Hope Center is unique in both size and scope.