Central Rocky Mountain Region Church Shares Growth Fed by Disciples Church Extension Fund With the Larger Community

Thirty years ago, the Central Rocky Mountain Region and an inspiring new church pastor connected with Disciples Church Extension Fund to start a new church in the Fort Collins, Colorado area.

First meeting in rented spaces, the growing congregation partnered with Disciples Church Extension Fund to raise funds to construct their own building. With the help of a loan from Disciples Church Extension Fund and the purchase of 11 acres of land by the Region, Heart of the Rockies Christian Church finally had the resources to construct its building, holding its first worship service there in December 1999.

Over the years, Heart of the Rockies has turned to Disciples Church Extension Fund to lead capital campaigns for further building updates, for investment of their building reserve funds, and to conduct a congregational assessment to envision where they were headed as a community of faith.

That innovative spirit has led the congregation to launch the Heartside Hill housing project to address pressing needs in the community—affordable housing and childcare. Through community partnerships and donating some of their land, 71 affordable apartments, nine single-family homes, and two host homes for adults with intellectual disabilities are being built.

Also included in the project are a community building with space for an early childhood center and the Heartside Hill administrative offices and some of their mission partners, as well as a shared green space.

Connection, resources, and innovation are all words that Disciples Church Extension Fund has embodied for the last 140 years, and they have allowed us to impact so many churches and congregations.