A Letter to Our Church Family: Project 2030
By Troy Dorrell
Dear Eastland Family,
For 57 years, Eastland has been far more than a physical structure; it has served as a spiritual home where generations have gathered to worship, grow, and serve together. This rare and precious legacy did not come easily. The sanctuary, classrooms, and fellowship spaces we enjoy today were built through the sacrificial love of those who came before us—individuals who worked second jobs and drew from retirement accounts to invest in a future they would not fully see.
Today, we stand at a crossroads. We can choose to rest upon the foundations others have built, or we can honor their sacrifice by advancing with the same faith and vision that brought us to this moment. I am asking our congregation to press forward.
The Danger of Standing Still
In both physics and ministry, things at rest tend to decline. I have witnessed too many churches close their doors, not for a lack of history, but because they stopped investing in their future and grew content to live off the capital of previous generations.
That will not be Eastland’s story. Scripture warns us of the cost of complacency. In the book of Judges, it shows that when one generation stops advancing and building, decline and division inevitably follow. We cannot take our hands off the plow—not when there is so much at stake for the kingdom of God.
A Vision for the Future
God has already begun to move. Last year, we received a $5 million gift specifically designated for expansion and facility improvements. This generous seed is an invitation from the Lord to step out in faith and watch Him work. However, this gift is a starting point, not the finish line. It will take all of us, working together, to complete the mission laid before us.
Introducing Project 2030
Project 2030 is our comprehensive plan to secure Eastland’s impact for generations to come. This initiative focuses on creating intentional spaces where ministry can flourish.
Adult Classrooms: Remodeling facilities to better serve our expanding Adult Bible Class ministries.
Activity Center: Converting the previous daycare property into a dedicated hub for fellowship and outreach.
Infrastructure: Expanding parking and streamlining hallways with a new single east entrance to better accommodate guests.
Administrative Center: Building a new office space to accommodate our growing staff, enabling us to use current office space for nursery and preschool rooms.
Next-Generation Facilities: Renovating our preschool, nursery, and elementary wings to provide efficient, high-quality environments for our children.
Give 2% the Future
I am inviting every member of Eastland Baptist Church to prayerfully consider a commitment to "Give 2% the Future.” This involves contributing 2% of your income over the next two years, above your regular tithe, toward Project 2030.
While this may represent a small lifestyle adjustment—perhaps one less meal out or a coffee run skipped—collectively, it is a powerful declaration of our shared faith. Our staff and leadership have already begun this journey, and I invite you to join us.
A Call to Our Younger Generations
To our members in their 20s, 30s, and 40s: this is your moment to step into the legacy of this church. This is your opportunity to take the baton and invest in something larger than yourselves. You are not spectators; you are the participants and the future of Eastland.
“We cannot let this place become a memorial to the past, but rather a launching pad to the future.”
The Choice Before Us
Our investment reflects our hearts. Giving to Project 2030 is a declaration that we are not fading or coasting; we are moving forward with purpose. By building upon our past, we ensure that Eastland remains a place where the gospel is preached and families are strengthened for decades to come.
Will you join me? Please pray about this commitment and, as the Lord leads, mark your offering "Project 2030" or give through our online platform. Let us write this next chapter together for the honor and glory of God.
For His glory,
Pastor Dorrell