They matter to you. They matter to us. They matter to God.

At Connexus Church, our heart beats for those yet to be reached. With over 450,000 in Simcoe County not attending church, our mission is urgent and clear. The FOR Them initiative is our bold response to God's call, a transformative journey to extend his love and grace to every corner of our community and beyond so that more people would know Jesus.

Our vision is to create spaces and opportunities where faith can flourish, where the lost can be found, and where every person feels at home in God's love. This initiative isn’t just about buildings or programs; it’s about people—and every “one” matters to God. FOR Them is a call for every person who calls Connexus home to join together in this pivotal moment of growth to make a lasting difference. Join us in this pivotal moment of growth and impact, as we strive to make a lasting difference FOR Them.

Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.

Luke 15:7 MSG

Initiative #1

Open a New Permanent Facility in Downtown Orillia

Moving from portable pop-up to permanent presence.

The heart of our vision in Orillia is to reach even more people by establishing a 24/7 home—a permanent, welcoming space that goes beyond Sundays. This facility is envisioned as a hub of community, faith, and transformation. It will be a place where friends and neighbours gather, where ministries grow, and where countless individuals can experience meaningful, accessible encounters with Jesus.

This new facility at 4 King Street, Orillia, represents our commitment to being a cornerstone in North Simcoe County. It’s more than a building; it’s a tangible expression of our belief that everyone deserves a place to belong, explore faith, and grow spiritually.

 

Here are just a few quick facts about the 4 King Street facility:

Initiative #2

Open a Second Worship Auditorium in Barrie for Growth

Creating a new space to keep pace with the growing opportunities to reach people.

To position ourselves to keep pace with growth and the opportunity to reach people, we’re embarking on an ambitious expansion. This includes updating our current auditorium and a new additional flex auditorium that will allow us to create more space to invite our friends into an accessible encounter with Jesus on Sunday and mid-week. This will add another 175-200 seats to our services on Sunday morning.

These enhancements are not just about music and lights; they’re about creating a space where everyone can experience God’s presence and hear the timeless truths of scripture. It’s about ensuring everyone who walks through our doors discovers that Jesus is FOR them and our community is in their corner.

Initiative #3

Open a New Next Generation Student Space

Moving from inadequate spaces to intentional spaces.

Our commitment to be FOR the next generation is critical to our mission. Our goal is to see every student build a passionate faith in Jesus that lasts.

This new student ministry environment in Barrie will be a dynamic space where more students can build a relationship with a community of peers running in the same spiritual direction and be mentored by a small group leader who says the same things a Christian parent would say.

Not only will this space be built to facilitate spiritual discussion and community, but also to invite friends to explore faith and have fun. We are dedicated to providing our youth with the resources and support they need to thrive in their faith journey.

Not only did our partnership with Connexus give us a head start as we launched our church, but it gave us people to journey with over time.

Initiative #4

Multiply Our Influence with a Church Multiplication Director

Moving from investigating multiplication to investing in multiplication.

With most churches in Canada declining, God has given us a position of influence with churches in our country who are looking to us for leadership.

Building on tested and proven models, our new church multiplication director will lead us in expanding our network of churches, exploring local mergers, and launching new locations. It’s about sharing the gifts we’ve received, not just within our walls but across communities and regions, revitalizing churches and bringing new life to the message of Jesus.

This person will also strategically invest in the development of generosity initiatives and new giving relationships that help people understand the power of living a generous life.

Your Next Steps

We don’t want you to miss out on any part of this faith-building journey ahead of us as a church. Be sure to check out these next steps for the FOR Them initiative.

Your Opportunity

 

Your support is vital to the realization of these ambitious goals. The giving steps illustrate the various levels at which you can contribute, each playing a crucial role in our collective mission.

Your generosity fuels change. We invite you to pledge your support or make a gift today. Every pledge, every gift, brings us closer to a future where everyone can find faith, hope, and community.

Target by December 31, 2025

Key Milestones


Our journey is marked by significant milestones, each celebrating our progress and faithfulness. From the churchwide FOR Them series, to the opening of Orillia’s permanent home, to the expansion of our Barrie facility, to multiplying our influence across Simcoe County—each step along the journey brings us closer to realizing our vision.

Stay updated on our progress and celebrate with us as we reach each key milestone. Together, we're not just building facilities; we're building a future FOR Them, a future filled with faith, hope, and love.
April 14 - May 5, 2024
FOR Them Series
A churchwide spiritual and generosity journey.
April 14 - May 5, 2024
May 5, 2024
Catalyst Gift & Full Pledge
Receipt of pledges from the Connexus community and anticipated “catalyst gifts” totalling at least $750,000.
May 5, 2024
Summer 2024
FOR Them Celebration
Appreciation event(s) for all participants.
Summer 2024
Fall 2024
Orillia Facility Opens
Sunday and mid-week ministry launches at 4 King Street.
Fall 2024
December 31, 2024
Pledge Target
An opportunity to remind donors of their FOR Them commitment.
December 31, 2024
Summer - Fall 2025
Barrie Upgrades & Expansion
Potential timeframe for phase two work at our central facility.
Summer - Fall 2025
December 31, 2025
Pledge Completion Target
An opportunity to onboard new participants to help the initiative finish strong.
December 31, 2025

How to Submit Your Pledge

Some Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to raise $2,950,000 beyond our normal giving from May 5, 2024 through December 31, 2025.

Funds raised will support key projects like the opening of a new permanent facility in downtown Orillia, a second worship auditorium in Barrie for growth, a next-generation student space, and the hiring of a Church Multiplication Director.

A pledge is both a commitment to give, reflecting a step of faith in what you believe God is calling you to contribute, and a helpful planning tool for our church leadership.

We encourage a significant first gift on May 5, 2024, hoping to receive at least $750,000 on this day, alongside your pledges, to kickstart FOR Them with strong financial momentum.

Contributions can be made weekly, monthly, quarterly, or in a lump sum—whatever suits you best. Visit connexuschurch.com/give for giving tools and more information.

Yes, gifts of stocks, securities, and other non-cash assets are welcome. Please contact our finance team for guidance on how to make these types of contributions at [email protected].

The FOR Them initiative is crucial for expanding our ministry’s reach and impact, enabling us to serve more people in our community and beyond through new facilities, programs, and services.

The goal was prayerfully set by our leadership team based on the projected costs of the initiatives we believe are critical for deepening our ministry’s impact and expanding our reach in Simcoe County and beyond.

Yes, we understand that financial situations can change. You can adjust your pledge at any time by contacting our finance team.

Yes, all contributions to Connexus Church are 100% tax-deductible including those made toward FOR Them.

Regular updates will be provided through our church services, emails, and the website, keeping our church community informed about the progress and impact of their generosity.

For any further questions, please reach out to our FOR Them team at [email protected] or visit the information desk on Sundays after service.