The Antioch Initiative – Vision Summary
Dear Providence Family,
I want to invite you into a vision we have for our church called the Antioch Initiative. It is based on what we find in the book of Acts as it records the rapid spread of the church from Jerusalem to Samaria and then to the Gentile world. In Acts 11, you see the church in Antioch established. The significance of this development cannot be overstated. Antioch would become a thriving and sending church located in a very strategic city. It was a church that was evangelizing people of different ethnicities that had flooded to this commercial center. It would become the launching pad for an exponential spread of the kingdom as missionaries were sent and churches planted through this church. In short, the church at Antioch became the hub of a massive global advancement of the Gospel.
I believe the Lord has placed a similar opportunity before us. He has positioned us in one of the fastest-growing areas of America, with massive resources, massive influence, and people from around the world are flooding here. As we have prayed and sought the will of the Lord, He has guided us and opened up for us an incredible opportunity! We have the potential to secure land right in the heart of Frisco’s future growth along the Dallas North Tollway and Panther Creek. We have a chance to position our church as an Antioch base—the epicenter of a massive move of God in North Texas that radiates out to the ends of the earth! This will allow us to have plenty of space for future growth in a strategic location, thus allowing us to reach more people than ever before with the Gospel, equip more disciples, and send out exponentially more missionaries, pastors, and everyday ambassadors for Christ!
This Antioch Initiative will require every single one of us to pray, stretch our faith, and sacrificially commit to seeing the Gospel advance to the ends of the world! We invite you to join us on this exciting journey!
Blessings,
Afshin
Weekly Sermon Study Guides
Each week of the Antioch Initiative, we will share a study guide to take you deeper into the points of the Sunday morning message.
Our Primary Goal
100% ENGAGEMENT
Our goal is for everyone to be a part of this initiative. We recognize that many have already given sacrificially to the Entrusted and Sent campaign and it may be difficult to participate in another campaign one year later. We want you to know how grateful we are for your faithful giving. The overwhelming resources raised from that campaign have given us the foundation to be able to take this significant step and maximize those gifts to long-term effect. Our desire is that every member of our church is on this journey together. We want everyone to walk by faith together so that all would have a faith story to share of how God did a deep work in our hearts and moved powerfully through all of us. We want everyone to be part of seeing this vision come to fruition.
This is a giving discipleship journey.
We see this not only as an initiative to raise funds but also as a discipleship journey that challenges all of us to grow in generosity and sacrificial giving. This is an often neglected part of our spiritual growth as Christians.
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul speaks of the generous giving of the Macedonian churches who gave themselves first to the Lord and, by God’s grace, to the cause. And then in verse 7, Paul commends the Corinthians for excelling in everything, including faith, speech, knowledge, and love, and challenges them to “excel in this act of grace also.” Therefore, within our church, we desire to see hearts that have been transformed by the grace of God overflowing to generous giving. Some will give for the first time, some will begin giving consistently, and many will become generous and sacrificial givers—all reflecting the heart of our Lord.
Stories
Our Secondary Goal
$13 MILLION
The $13 million we are raising is not merely for a building project—it’s for a disciple-making movement. We are inviting you to invest in forming people—fully alive to God’s mission and who live with clarity, conviction, and calling. The building will be a means, not an end. It is a launchpad; a strategic tool designed to form disciples who live as everyday ambassadors of the Kingdom—in homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and across the world. We believe this is the best next step for our church that will have a long-term impact for future generations. We also believe it is the best thing for every person in our church as part of our discipleship in leveraging our lives for the kingdom!
Commitment Form
Contributions to the initiative will begin in Fall 2025 and continue through Fall 2028.
Your commitment is above and beyond your current tithes and offerings to Providence.
Please make your commitment here.
Giving Assets
If an investment, like stocks, real estate, and other assets, has increased in value and has been held for more than one year, then there may be tax advantages to transferring ownership of that asset to the church as a charitable donation. Giving the appreciated asset may eliminate capital gains taxes for the donor while still allowing the donor to receive the contribution credit for the current market value of the asset. Because of its tax-exempt status, Providence Church can receive the asset and receive its full market value.
If you plan to give stock or another asset, please email finance@providencefrisco.com for brokerage transfer information or with details on the asset.
Four Ways to Engage in The Antioch Initiative
PRAY CONTINUALLY
Ask for God’s grace, wisdom, provision, and direction. Ask God to direct your heart. Ask God to move in the hearts of our people. Don’t ask, “How much can I/we afford?” Rather sincerely ask God: “How would You have us participate?” We sincerely don’t want this to be a financial decision. We want it to be a faith decision—something that stretches every single one of us and makes us lean on God in trust. We want everyone to look back and say that only God could’ve accomplished this!
COMMIT FULLY
Regardless of how much God calls you to give, we desire for every member to be fully committed to our vision. We ask that you would be all in on seeing God’s kingdom expand through our church. We want every member not only to give financially but to give with their hearts in prayer, hands in service, and mouths in proclaiming the Gospel.
GIVE GENEROUSLY
Live and give in a way that stretches you and takes your faith to a whole new level. Again, ask God to guide you in what you are to give. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7) and this comes from following the Lord’s will and stepping out in faith as He guides us.
CELEBRATE LOUDLY
God will do amazing things in your life during this season, and we want you to share enthusiastically with those around you. Your testimony of God’s grace, provision, and power will inspire others to leverage their lives for what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Antioch Initiative?
This is an initiative to 1) purchase 26 acres of land located at the intersection of Panther Creek and the future Frisco Street and 2) build out Phase 1, which will include a larger worship center, Providence Kids wing, larger meeting spaces, commons area, administrative offices, and sufficient parking for our gatherings. The name of the initiative comes from Acts 11, where the church at Antioch is described as a dynamic, growing, and sending church. Our desire is that Providence would be like the church at Antioch—the hub of a massive global advancement of the Gospel.
What is the building plan?
Phase 1 of construction is estimated at 50,000 square feet and includes a worship center that can expand to 1,100 seats, Providence Kids wing, and other spaces critical to meet the immediate capacity and functionality needs of all ministries. The proposed master plan has a Phase 2 that includes a new worship center and expanded education spaces.
Why is the church relocating?
Our current location on Preston Road has served us well for over 15 years, but as we began planning for expansion, we encountered significant challenges including limited ingress and egress off Preston Rd, and insufficient parking for the size of our planned facility. This new location, strategically located at the heart of Frisco’s growth, will allow us to build without these obstacles and will provide greater flexibility for future generations at Providence.
What is the financial goal?
The total project cost is $44 million, which includes $17 million toward the purchase of the land and $27 million for Phase 1 construction. Providence has cash reserves of $12 million dedicated to the project and anticipates that the sale of the Preston Road property will net $10 million. The elders are comfortable with financing up to $9 million, leaving the financial goal for The Antioch Initiative is $13 million.
What is the timeline for construction and relocation?
The ideal situation for a move would be for us to close on the land in early fall, followed by the design phase and completion of the construction documents by the end of 2025. Construction will take approximately 14-16 months and we hope to move into the new facility in the spring of 2027. Our hope is to find a buyer for the Preston Road property who would be willing to give us a leaseback so that we could continue worshipping here at our current location while construction proceeds on the new land.
What are you asking me to do?
First and foremost, we ask that you pray and seek God’s leading on what He is asking of you. Prepare your heart to hear Him and listen to what He says. Engage in a community group during this season, if you haven’t already joined one. Engage in personal reflection with God using this guide. Talk with your community group, spouse, family, friends, or others about what this commitment will mean for this next exciting season of your life.
We are asking that you make a commitment to gospel-driven, surrendered generosity – whatever it is that God leads you to do. Follow His leading. Please mark your calendar for Commitment Sunday, September 21, and prepare to experience a defining moment for our church and your own faith.
How long is my commitment?
We are asking that everyone make a three-year commitment to The Antioch Initiative. The fulfillment period for your commitment will begin in October 2025 and will culminate in October 2028.
Are my gifts “over and above” my normal tithe and other offerings?
Yes! Our normal operating expenses must continue to be met by your faithful support through regular tithes. These over and above gifts will allow us to accomplish the special goals of The Antioch Initiative.
Are there additional ways that I can give more to The Antioch Initiative?
Yes, you can give many other kinds of assets. Be creative as you’re exploring ways to give to The Antioch Initiative. We encourage you to ask, “Am I honoring God first with what He’s already given me?” You might have valuable assets that can be converted to cash in order to make a greater kingdom impact. You might have stocks, property, or other items of that nature. Or you might have stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He just might be calling you to give out of during this time. If you need help facilitating gifts of property or stock, reach out to our Finance Team at finance@providencefrisco.com for transfer instructions or other assistance.
What if I’ve never given to Providence Church before?
The Antioch Initiative is a call to surrendered, gospel-driven generosity for absolutely everyone at Providence Church. If you have never given before, this is your invitation to begin to give and trust God with your finances. We really hope you will!
What if I’m new to Providence Church or not yet a member?
The Antioch Initiative is about the vision of our church. We believe that the local church is one of the most compelling missions to give toward, and we would really love for you to make Providence your home and join us in this initiative. If you are ready for it, this is the perfect time for you to become a member of Providence Church. Please reach out to our Connections Team at connections@providencefrisco.com to learn more about the next Starting Point and Membership Class.