Roots to Fruit

Timberlake Church is growing—in faith, in people, and in impact. Over the past several years, our leaders have been praying and planning for how to best make room for this growth on our campus. We recognize the need for facility renovations, capital improvements, and new construction to support what God is doing here.

Our Roots to Fruit Stewardship Campaign is an overarching initiative that includes our current capital campaign focused on the Master Facility Plan. This plan outlines multiple phases of ministry growth and facility improvement. Phase One focuses on creating a permanent modern worship space, a right-sized traditional worship space, and a prominent front entrance with a welcoming hospitality area.

But this is just the beginning—now we need your partnership. The Roots to Fruit Campaign is an opportunity to invest in ministry that will meet today’s needs and plant seeds for generations to come. As we take this next step together, we’re asking for your prayers, your feedback, and your faith as we imagine all that God can do through Timberlake Church.

Phase One addresses four key facility needs identified before 2019 and refined over the past five years:

A Welcoming Front Entrance

A new, highly visible entrance with close-in parking will make Timberlake easier to access and more inviting for guests and members alike.

A Centralized Hospitality Space

A right-sized and effectively oriented gathering area will become the heart of connection—where conversations, coffee, and community naturally happen.

A Right-Sized Traditional Sanctuary

The existing sanctuary will remain home to our traditional worship services. It will be right-sized and renovated to improve sightlines, accessibility, and acoustics, while preserving the warmth and tradition that make this space special. This re-sizing will also generate classroom additions in the rear of the room for our ever growing discipleship offerings.

A New Worship Center for Modern Services

A purpose-built worship space designed for our modern services will provide the technical capacity, flexibility, and atmosphere that align with the heart of modern worship at Timberlake.

Timberlake Church began in 1953 when local residents gathered to plan for a new Methodist church in the Lynchburg community. The first service was held at the Timberlake Tavern, and by October, 58 members officially joined. Over the decades, Timberlake grew rapidly, reflecting its commitment to ministry and service.

In 1954, the Hughes family donated the land where the church now stands, and the congregation expanded its facilities several times to meet the growing needs of its members. By 1978, the church launched its Early Learning Center, establishing its dedication to nurturing families.

Entering the 21st century, Timberlake dedicated a new sanctuary, expanded its ministries, and embraced a vision symbolized by “Live the LIGHT,” focusing on worship, growth, and service. Initiatives like "Faith in Action Sunday" and mission work in global and local communities underscored Timberlake's commitment to being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Recent years have brought new opportunities for growth and outreach. Timberlake introduced programs like after-school care, summer camps, and The Fillin’ Station food pantry to serve the community. In 2016, Rev. Brad McMullen joined as Lead Pastor, ushering in a new era of leadership while building on Timberlake’s rich traditions.

Today, Timberlake Church continues to reach, feed, and release people into the mission of Christ, honoring its deep roots while stepping boldly into the future.

As Timberlake Church embarks on an exciting journey of growth and transformation, we have conducted a Readiness Assessment and Feasibility Study to evaluate our church's preparedness for a successful capital campaign. This comprehensive study, facilitated by James D. Klote & Associates, Inc., took place from January 5, 2025 – February 18, 2025, involving focus groups, personal interviews, and congregation-wide discussions. The goal was to gather insights, assess our church’s capacity for support, and ensure that our plans align with the needs and vision of our church family.

The report provides a detailed overview of the study's findings, including key areas of focus, financial feasibility, leadership recommendations, and the collective voice of our congregation. It serves as a guiding document, offering clarity on how we can move forward together in faith, generosity, and commitment. We encourage you to explore the full report to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and next steps as we prepare to invest in the future of Timberlake Church.

A Church in Lynchburg, VA