Make Way is a two-year initiative focused on becoming the people God is calling us to be and stepping into the opportunities He has placed before us.

It’s about investing in people, ministries, spaces, and partnerships so more people can encounter God, grow as disciples, and find hope in Jesus.

God desires to dwell with His people

When we make room for God to dwell among us, we make way for more people to find hope.

The next step in our Find Hope vision

Fairhaven’s mission is to lead people to take their next right step to embrace and embody the hope of Jesus.

In 2024, we identified six Essentials – Worship God, Build Deep Relationships, Seek God Daily, Serve Others, Live Generously, and Make God Known – that help us live out of vision and become disciples who make disciples. Make Way is the next step in that vision.

God is already moving in powerful ways, and He’s placed new opportunities in front of us. We want to build on what God is doing today and prepare for what He wants to do tomorrow.

Make Way In Us

Investing in the people and ministries that help us experience the transforming presence of God.

Make Way begins with us. We want to invest in the ministries, relationships, and environments that help people encounter God, grow as disciples, and help others follow Jesus.

Weekend Experiences
Create worship experiences that help people encounter God, actively participate, and respond to what He is doing.

Next Generation
Invest in kids, students, and young adults during some of the most formative years of their faith.

Discipleship
Expand groups, resources, and opportunities that help more people become disciples who make disciples.

Leadership Development
Identify, mentor, and equip leaders to make God known in the church, their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Pastoral Care
Strengthen care, counseling, mentoring, marriage support, and recovery resources for people navigating difficult seasons.

Guest Experience
Create a culture of welcome that helps every guest feel seen, safe, and connected while providing clear paths toward meaningful engagement.

Make Way Through Us

Expanding our spaces, partnerships, and reach so more people can find hope in Jesus.

As God works in us, He also wants to work through us. We want to prepare spaces, strengthen partnerships, and pursue opportunities that extend the hope of Jesus throughout our communities and around the world.

Gathering Spaces
Create and improve indoor and outdoor spaces across our campuses where people can connect and build deep relationships.

Beavercreek Campus
Establish a permanent location that expands our presence and creates more opportunities for worship, discipleship, relationships, and ministry throughout the week.

Digital Platforms
Develop digital tools that help people connect, grow, receive care, and take meaningful next steps anytime, anywhere.

Local Outreach
Deepen our partnerships throughout the Miami Valley, create more opportunities to serve, and build 1,000 beds for under-resourced kids.

Global Outreach
Strengthen our long-term international partnerships while developing new relationships in England, Senegal, the Dominican Republic, and the Asia Pacific region.

Strategic Opportunities
Respond to opportunities that strengthen the Church and expand gospel impact, including supporting our network of churches as it mobilizes global workers around the world.

One vision. One story. One commitment.

We believe God is calling us to invest $34 million over the next two years to sustain the ministry happening every day at Fairhaven and pursue the new opportunities included in Make Way. Make Way isn’t a separate fund alongside our regular ministry budget. All giving to Fairhaven from December 2026 through December 2028 is part of Make Way.

That means a Make Way commitment represents all of your giving to Fairhaven over those two years: what you would normally give, plus the additional amount God leads you to give.

Whether generosity is a brand-new step for you or something you’ve practiced for years, we invite everyone who calls Fairhaven home to pray about how God is leading them to participate.

Make your commitment

Frequently asked questions

Let’s make way together

God is moving, and we believe there is more He wants to do in us and through us. This is our opportunity to respond together: to make room for His presence, step faithfully into what He puts before us, and make way for more people to find hope in Jesus.

Pray. Ask God how He is leading you. Take your next right step. And let’s make way for what He wants to do next.

💡 Understanding Make Way

Why now?
God has been moving in powerful ways at Fairhaven, and many of our campuses and ministries are at key thresholds. To step into what God is already doing and prepare for what He wants to do next, we need to take strategic steps now to strengthen our church and expand our impact.

Is this just a building campaign?
No. Make Way includes spaces and facilities, but it is much more than that. It is a church-wide initiative that will strengthen the people, ministries, environments, and partnerships that help us live out the Essentials and help more people find hope in Jesus.

How will Make Way impact my campus or ministry?
Make Way is designed to strengthen all the campuses and ministries of Fairhaven. Because it is a one-fund initiative, it will strengthen everything we already do, and help us take the next steps God is calling us to in all of the areas we’ve identified.

Why $34 million?
If the next two years were typical years at Fairhaven, we would expect to receive approximately $22 million in giving to support our ongoing ministries. But we believe God is calling us to step into new opportunities and expand what He is already doing through our church. We estimate it will take an additional $12 million to bring those priorities to life, bringing our two-year Make Way goal to $34 million.

🤲 Giving + Commitments

What does “one fund” mean?
Make Way is a one-fund initiative. Rather than separating regular ministry budgets from future opportunities, we are bringing everything together under a single two-year commitment. Your commitment includes everything you would normally give to Fairhaven over the next two years, plus the additional amount God leads you to give to help make this vision a reality.

How long is my commitment?
Make Way is a two-year initiative, spanning December 2026 through December 2028. We encourage you to fulfill your commitment with gifts of whatever size and frequency make the most sense for you during that time.

When should I begin giving toward my Make Way commitment?
We’re inviting everyone to make their first Make Way contribution together on Sunday, December 6, as we begin this two-year journey.

What if I’m new or have never given before?
Generosity is all about taking your next right step. If you have never given to Fairhaven, Make Way is a great place to start. We believe there is no greater mission than helping people find hope in Jesus, and we’re inviting everyone to prayerfully consider how God may be leading them to participate.

What if I can’t give more than I already do?
Make Way isn’t about everyone giving the same amount or increasing their giving by the same percentage. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and there is no across-the-board expectation for what your commitment should be. We simply ask you to seek God and respond faithfully however He leads. For each of us, this is an opportunity to stretch our faith, trust God with what He has entrusted to us, and see what He’ll accomplish through our collective generosity.

Can I give stocks, property, or other non-cash assets?
Yes. Make Way gifts can include stocks, property, and other non-cash assets. If you plan to include one of these gifts as part of your commitment, please indicate it on your commitment card. If you have questions or need help making a non-cash gift, contact the church office or email giving@fairhaven.church.

Why fill out a commitment card?
Your commitment card is more than a place to write a number. It is a declaration of faith – a moment to meet with God, consider how He is leading you, and respond to what He wants to do in and through you.

What if we don’t meet the goal?
We are committed to responding to the resources God provides in a way that is healthy, wise, and appropriate. We do not intend to take on unhealthy debt as a result of Make Way, and we will move forward faithfully based on what God provides.

🏠 Beavercreek Campus

Why does the Beavercreek Campus need a permanent location?
The Beavercreek Campus has meaningful opportunities to grow its impact in the community, and a long-term home will help make that possible. A permanent, more visible presence will create more opportunities for connection, discipleship, weekday ministries, and community engagement, so that more people in Beavercreek can find hope in Jesus.

Where will the Beavercreek Campus be located?
We are exploring options with the help of a commercial realtor, including both existing facilities and property that could serve the long-term needs of the campus. Please pray with us for God’s direction and provision as we seek the right location.

🙏 Prayer + Participation

How else can I participate besides giving?
Make Way is a church-wide spiritual initiative, not simply a fundraising effort. You can participate by praying, engaging with the Make Way series, joining a group, serving, living out the Essentials, and stepping into the new opportunities Make Way creates. Most importantly, ask God what He wants to do in you and through you during this season, and respond faithfully to His leading.

How can I pray for Make Way?
Pray that God would prepare our hearts, unify our church, and lead each of us in faith and generosity. Pray for wisdom for our leaders, for God’s provision for every part of the vision, and for more people to embrace and embody the hope of Jesus through what God does in us and through us.

Have another question? Let us know!

Small groups meet in homes during the week to discuss the sermon, share prayer requests, and build friendships. We encourage you to consider joining a group for our upcoming 7-week sermon series Make Way, which starts October 11. We’ll explore God’s desire to dwell with His people and how He invites us to “make way” for what He wants to do in us and through us.

HOST a group

Anyone can HOST a group! All you need is at least two friends and to …

H – Have a heart for people
O – Open a space for the group to meet (Doesn’t have to be your home.)
S – Serve a snack
T – Talk about the sermon

We’ll provide discussion questions and be available to guide and support you every step of the way.

If you’re interested in becoming a small group HOST for this upcoming series, text GROUP to 32000 and follow the instructions, visit the Group Life desk or Welcome Center at your campus, or sign up online.

Even if you’re already in a small group, you can sign up to be a small group HOST just for this series, which will help us get more people plugged in!

REGISTER: Become a small group HOST

Opt-in your existing group

If you’re already a HOST of an existing small group, we’d encourage you to take your group through this series too. There will be a lot of great opportunities for connection and discussion. If you plan to do that, we want to know you’re on board, so we can support you. Please text GROUP to 32000 or complete the following form.

REGISTER: Opt-in your small group for this series

Join a group

Not ready to HOST a group yourself? Browse a list of all our existing small groups that have openings, and find the one that’s right for you.

BROWSE: Look for a small group to join

ON-CAMPUS: Each of our campuses will have short-term, on-campus small groups that will meet to discuss the fall series. This is a great way to try out a small group! Groups will meet for seven weeks beginning October 11.

Register; Beavercreek Campus – Thursdays, 7:00 PM

REGISTER: Centerville Campus – Mondays, 7:00 PM
(Childcare available for ages 6 weeks–kindergarten)

REGISTER: Centerville Campus – Thursdays, 7:00 PM

REGISTER: Northmont Campus – Wednesdays, 7:00 PM

REGISTER: Springboro Campus – Tuesdays, 7:00 PM
(Childcare available for ages 6 weeks–kindergarten)

ONLINE SMALL GROUP: There will also be an online small group that will meet via Zoom.

REGISTER: Online Campus – Mondays, 7:00 PM

This is where we will post the teaching videos for our “Make Way” Bible study. We hope they spark meaningful conversations, strengthen your faith, and help you respond to God’s presence and leading in this season.

Introduction

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Going on a short-term mission trip is more than traveling somewhere new. It’s about joining God in what He’s already doing. If you’re sensing a nudge to take your next step, click here to see what the process looks like. And check out these upcoming trips:

WEST AFRICA 🌍
2026: November 16-20 (Strategy)
2027: January 18-23 (Marketing); April 5-10 (HR); June 21-26 (Finance); November 16-20 (Strategy)
Business as Missions is a powerful opportunity for business leaders to teach successful business leadership courses to leaders in a West African country. The goal of this program is to share proven business concepts paired with spiritual principles that help participants flourish and transform their local communities. This business model is creatively reaching Muslim people for Jesus.

WEST AFRICA 🌍
December 4-12, 2026
Keur Nepp is a new mission opportunity for Fairhaven Church. This is a ministry focused on the recovery and restoration of street boys. The trip will focus on construction, medical, gardening, soccer, and kids outreach. 

QUITO, ECUADOR 🇪🇨
January 23–31, 2027
For over 20-years, Fairhaven has been traveling to partner with churches in the Quito area. Together, we have helped provide basic medical care for underserved families. This is a great opportunity for doctors, dentists, and nurses, but you can serve in several ways without a medical background. 
Estimated cost: $2,000

GUATEMALA 🇬🇹
February 6-14, 2027
July 10-18, 2027 (light construction, food distribution + children ministries)
For 25 years, Fairhaven has partnered with Pleasantville Church, Pennsylvania, to travel to Guatemala to work alongside Galilea Church as they build churches, schools, and homes. The Summer 2027 trip focuses on ministry with kids, single moms and light construction. 
Estimated cost: $1,900

INDONESIA 🇮🇩
June 9-20, 2027
Fairhaven has been invited to serve at the Indonesia Field Forum for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, where international workers will gather for their annual training. During the trip, we will lead and facilitate activities for the children and teens, engage with Alliance Missions and learn about Indonesian culture. If you love students and kids and have a heart for missionaries, this is a great option!
Estimated cost: $2,900

CLEVELAND, OHIO 🇺🇸 
July 5-10, 2027 
Spend time with missionaries’ preschool children while their parents attend a conference for International Workers on home assignment. 
Estimated cost: $500

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 🇩🇴
TBA
Fairhaven is partnering with the Envision site in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The Young Adult trip will team up with the Greenhouse University student center to connect with college students, and the student trip will work with the DR national churches through construction, sports, and kids programming. 
Trip cost: $2,000

GABON 🇬🇦
Dates TBD
For over a decade, we’ve partnered with Bongolo Hospital to provide physical and spiritual healing to thousands of people and to train African doctors to become surgeons. This opportunity is for medical specialists who can travel for two weeks to a remote area of Gabon to teach resident African doctors at the hospital.
Estimated cost: $2,500-$3,500

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND 🇬🇧
Envision Manchester is one of the newest Envision sites for the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Fairhaven is going to be making one of the first short-term trips there. The team will partner with local ministry partners and learn about ministry in Manchester, England. If you have a heart for college-age students and are ready to embrace new cultures, this trip is for you!
Estimated cost: $2,700

KENTUCKY 🇺🇸
Fall 2027
Fairhaven has been partnering with the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) for over ten years. Each year, a team travels to eastern Kentucky to serve the under-resourced families by providing basic home renovations, like painting, cleaning, building ramps, etc. This is a great trip to try new things, serve others, and have fun doing it!
Estimated cost: $290-$375

Contact us to get involved

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” –Colossians 3:17

Here are some ways to get involved:

STAMP COLLECTION
If you receive mail to your house, you have money to donate to missions! All you need to do is trim (1/4″ inch around) postage stamps on your mail and bring them to your campus to donate them to Alliance Women. They will package and send them to an organization that sells them to collectors. The money is used to purchase teaching materials.

DRESS A GIRL
“Dress A Girl” delivers dresses and hope to girls at risk all around the world. This ministry aims to restore a sense of worth to vulnerable girls living in extreme poverty. Slipping the dress over a girl’s ragged clothing and telling her God loves her can give her a new feeling of self-worth and dignity. Knowing her dress has been prayed over and made especially for her can be life-changing. Anyone can participate, as making the simple dresses involves sewing, cutting, ironing, packing, and praying over each dress.

BANDAGES FOR BONGOLO HOSPITAL
For over a decade, we’ve partnered with Bongolo Hospital in Gabon to provide physical and spiritual healing to thousands of people, and to train African doctors to become surgeons. One of their most critical needs is rolled sheet bandages. The bandages are made by rolling strips of used bed sheets, torn into various lengths and widths, sewn end-to-end and wrapped in rolls of 2-4 inches in diameter.

TEACHING ENGLISH
You can help someone in Southeast Asia practice English right from your home by participating in the “English Corner” via Zoom. Each week, you’ll be given questions and vocabulary phrases so you have something to talk about, and don’t worry, you only need to be fluent in English.

For questions or more information about how you can get involved, contact Sharon VanVlymen

Week One

Week One

Across our community, it is estimated that thousands of children go to sleep each night without a bed of their own. For these children and families, a missing bed isn’t just about furniture, it can be a sign that a family is facing poverty, instability, or an unexpected hardship.

A bed can also make a difference in keeping families together. For a child to receive a kinship placement, living with a relative or someone connected to their family, they need to have a bed of their own.

Through Fairhaven’s partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, you can help meet this need and give a child a safe, comfortable place to sleep.

There are two ongoing ways to get involved:

Deliver Beds With Fairhaven

Every second Saturday of the month, Fairhaven teams deliver and assemble beds for local children and families.

You’ll meet at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse, pick up the beds, and head out together to deliver them in families’ homes. Along the way, you may also have opportunities to connect with families, offer encouragement, and pray with them.

No experience is necessary. Bring your family, friends, or small group and serve together.

🛏️ Join a Fairhaven Bed Delivery Team

Build Beds With Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Sleep in Heavenly Peace hosts public bed builds throughout the year, giving you opportunities to help turn lumber into beds for local children.

From sanding and drilling to assembling and staining, there’s a role for everyone. No experience is necessary. They’ll show you what to do. Bring your family, friends, or small group and serve together.

🔨 Find an upcoming Bed Build

Together, we can keep helping make sure no child sleeps on the floor in our town.

ABOUT OUR DENOMINATION: The Christian and Missionary Alliance

WHAT WE BELIEVE: Nine truths we live by