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The StoryEver since our move to the 301 W. Main St. building in the fall of 2018, we have desired to one day own the building if it ever became available. Well, that dream now has the potential to become a reality! We have recently learned that the 301 W. Main St. building will be on the open market in the next few weeks. As a leadership team, we believe that the Lord is leading us to earnestly pursue this opportunity. Below you will find details about the building’s sale and our strategic vision for using this space.
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Building DetailsThe 301 building is strategically located in the heart of downtown Ottawa. It is walking distance from Ottawa High School and all other downtown attractions. The building is comprised of three stories. The first story has three commercial units, one of which the Ottawa Prayer Center currently occupies. The remaining two floors have a total of twelve two bedroom/one bath apartments.
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Strategic Long Term Vision
First Level
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First Level
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3D Renderings of Future Vision
Future Ministry Option Details
As we explore future ministry opportunities for the 301 W. Main St. building, it is our desire to partner with existing local ministries in our community. Acquiring insight and assistance from ministries that specialize in the areas we are pursuing will be crucial in achieving success in these new ministry endeavors.
Café/Coffee House - One option for this commercial unit is to complete a full remodel and turn the area into a cafe/coffee house. Community outreach and evangelism would be the primary focus of this space. We receive plenty of foot-traffic in front of our building. This includes many young people due to our close proximity to Ottawa High School.
Community Center - To compliment the Café/Coffee House, we could utilize this space for the purpose of hosting gatherings, events, workshops, worship nights, fundraisers, etc. This would be available for the Ottawa Prayer Center and other non-profits in the area who need a place to host these types of functions.
Christian Library- "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read" ~ Charlie T Jones. Along with providing a space for relationships to grow, we also want to see people grow in the knowledge of God by providing free Christian resources to our community. This would be achieved through the development of a large inventory of Christian books, CD’s/DVD’s, Bibles, pamphlets/tracks, etc. covering a plethora of subjects.
Homeless Drop-In Center - Another option we are considering is to utilize the Café /Coffee House as a homeless drop-in center. This would provide a safe haven to those who don't have a place to stay during the day. To be clear, this would not be a place to simply “hang-out.” While providing a safe place for people to stay, we would also focus on developing life skills and spiritual growth for those who come to the drop-in center. This would be done by having our volunteers cultivate personal relationships with those who visit and by offering classes that teach the skills necessary to grow both practically & spiritually.
Prayer Room - A sacred space for people to connect with the heart of Jesus in an atmosphere of united prayer and worship. Currently, the prayer room is open 26 hours per week. Our vision is to one day be open 24/7 every day of the year.
Conference Room - Our conference room is utilized for group prayer, board meetings, staff & volunteer meetings and also functions as the office of our Executive Director.
Gathering Room - The main function of this room would be to host meetings for the multiple Know Hope peer-to-peer support groups. Know Hope is a sub-ministry of the Ottawa Prayer Center and exists as a beacon of hope for people experiencing mental health struggles by creating a safe environment where healing and freedom are discovered in authentic community. When not being utilized for this purpose, this meeting room will also be available for local small groups, Bible studies, Moms in Prayer, our monthly city-wide ministry leader gathering, and other community functions.
Kids Zone - A place for children to play, learn, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Our vision is to have volunteers staff regular Kids Zone hours each week, providing the opportunity for parents to spend much needed time with God in the Prayer Room. But they will not simply be “babysitting.” While parents are connecting with God in prayer, their children will also be receiving training in prayer, the Bible, and moving in the gifts of the Spirit. This will also serve as our childcare center for any of our events, meetings, and other ministry functions that the Ottawa Prayer Center hosts.
Transitional Living Program (2nd & 3rd Floor)- A major need that we have detected in our community is the development of a transitional housing program. This program would be designed to give people a hand-up, not just a hand-out. Developing and providing this program is one way we are considering using the twelve apartments on the property. This would involve blessing people with reduced monthly rent while requiring our participants to be involved in spiritual and practical training we provide in order to prepare them for their next stage of life.
Café/Coffee House - One option for this commercial unit is to complete a full remodel and turn the area into a cafe/coffee house. Community outreach and evangelism would be the primary focus of this space. We receive plenty of foot-traffic in front of our building. This includes many young people due to our close proximity to Ottawa High School.
Community Center - To compliment the Café/Coffee House, we could utilize this space for the purpose of hosting gatherings, events, workshops, worship nights, fundraisers, etc. This would be available for the Ottawa Prayer Center and other non-profits in the area who need a place to host these types of functions.
Christian Library- "You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read" ~ Charlie T Jones. Along with providing a space for relationships to grow, we also want to see people grow in the knowledge of God by providing free Christian resources to our community. This would be achieved through the development of a large inventory of Christian books, CD’s/DVD’s, Bibles, pamphlets/tracks, etc. covering a plethora of subjects.
Homeless Drop-In Center - Another option we are considering is to utilize the Café /Coffee House as a homeless drop-in center. This would provide a safe haven to those who don't have a place to stay during the day. To be clear, this would not be a place to simply “hang-out.” While providing a safe place for people to stay, we would also focus on developing life skills and spiritual growth for those who come to the drop-in center. This would be done by having our volunteers cultivate personal relationships with those who visit and by offering classes that teach the skills necessary to grow both practically & spiritually.
Prayer Room - A sacred space for people to connect with the heart of Jesus in an atmosphere of united prayer and worship. Currently, the prayer room is open 26 hours per week. Our vision is to one day be open 24/7 every day of the year.
Conference Room - Our conference room is utilized for group prayer, board meetings, staff & volunteer meetings and also functions as the office of our Executive Director.
Gathering Room - The main function of this room would be to host meetings for the multiple Know Hope peer-to-peer support groups. Know Hope is a sub-ministry of the Ottawa Prayer Center and exists as a beacon of hope for people experiencing mental health struggles by creating a safe environment where healing and freedom are discovered in authentic community. When not being utilized for this purpose, this meeting room will also be available for local small groups, Bible studies, Moms in Prayer, our monthly city-wide ministry leader gathering, and other community functions.
Kids Zone - A place for children to play, learn, and grow in their relationship with Jesus. Our vision is to have volunteers staff regular Kids Zone hours each week, providing the opportunity for parents to spend much needed time with God in the Prayer Room. But they will not simply be “babysitting.” While parents are connecting with God in prayer, their children will also be receiving training in prayer, the Bible, and moving in the gifts of the Spirit. This will also serve as our childcare center for any of our events, meetings, and other ministry functions that the Ottawa Prayer Center hosts.
Transitional Living Program (2nd & 3rd Floor)- A major need that we have detected in our community is the development of a transitional housing program. This program would be designed to give people a hand-up, not just a hand-out. Developing and providing this program is one way we are considering using the twelve apartments on the property. This would involve blessing people with reduced monthly rent while requiring our participants to be involved in spiritual and practical training we provide in order to prepare them for their next stage of life.
Pricing & Payment Options
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301 Building Listing Price = $528,000*
301 Building 20% Down Payment = $105,600 |
Payment Option 1 - Full Payment
Our primary desire is to purchase the building in full at the time of sale. The results of this option are:
Payment Option 2 - Monthly Mortgage with 20% Down Payment
If we are unable to raise the funds to pay for the building in full, our next option is to acquire the building with a 20% down payment and bank loan. The results of this option are:
*Price subject to appraisal and inspection
Our primary desire is to purchase the building in full at the time of sale. The results of this option are:
- We would be 100% debt free as a ministry
- We could begin the process of developing programs immediately to pursue our future vision
- We could utilize the rental income generated from the residential and commercial units to fund the building remodel. Once we remodel the building, we can begin implementing the programs as detailed in our future vision.
Payment Option 2 - Monthly Mortgage with 20% Down Payment
If we are unable to raise the funds to pay for the building in full, our next option is to acquire the building with a 20% down payment and bank loan. The results of this option are:
- Paying a monthly mortgage payment. The entirety of our mortgage would be covered by the rental income generated from the commercial and residential units.
- We would wait until the building was paid off before developing all the programs laid out in our future vision. However, we could begin utilizing the Gathering Room and the Kids Zone prior to paying off the building.
- After the building is paid off and we have generated enough income to fund the programs described in our future vision, we could begin to remodel the building and begin implementing the other programs we wish to pursue.
*Price subject to appraisal and inspection
Three Ways to Help
1. Pray – We ask that you would diligently pray that God would provide the funds necessary for the Ottawa Prayer Center to purchase the 301 building.
2. Give – If you are interested in making a tax-deductible financial contribution to the 301 building campaign, please see our donation options listed below. **
3. Spread the Word – Another great way to help is to spread the word about our campaign! If you know of anyone who may be interested in helping us reach our goal please share this information with them. To share this information digitally you can email, post, and share this link on any of your social media platforms: www.ottawaprayercenter.org/301-building-campaign
2. Give – If you are interested in making a tax-deductible financial contribution to the 301 building campaign, please see our donation options listed below. **
3. Spread the Word – Another great way to help is to spread the word about our campaign! If you know of anyone who may be interested in helping us reach our goal please share this information with them. To share this information digitally you can email, post, and share this link on any of your social media platforms: www.ottawaprayercenter.org/301-building-campaign
Donation Options
1. Check - Made out to the Ottawa Prayer Center and please write 301 Building Campaign on the memo line. All checks can be mailed to:
Ottawa Prayer Center
301 W. Main St.
Ottawa, IL 61350
2. Online - You can make your donation online at www.donorbox.org/301-building-campaign. If your donation is over $1,000, we suggest that you pay by check to avoid an online payment processing fee.
Ottawa Prayer Center
301 W. Main St.
Ottawa, IL 61350
2. Online - You can make your donation online at www.donorbox.org/301-building-campaign. If your donation is over $1,000, we suggest that you pay by check to avoid an online payment processing fee.
**If we are unable to acquire the necessary funding to purchase the 301 building, all funds will be dedicated to the Ottawa Prayer Center’s General Fund to be used for ongoing and future ministry expenses.
