Dear Friends,

Imagine a city on a hill—a shining beacon of innovation, compassion, and purpose. A place where the entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to serving others merge into something transformative. This vision is not just a dream; it is a call to action to build a community where for-profit enterprise and nonprofit mission work hand in hand to create lasting impact.

This city on a hill is a model for how business and philanthropy can coexist, thrive, and amplify each other. It is a place where for-profit ventures drive sustainable income streams, which in turn fund nonprofit initiatives addressing the most pressing needs of our city. We believe that the call of Jesus in Matthew 5 to be a “City on a Hill” leads us to achieve property and economic strategies that would, in turn, be a beacon to society at large. Imagine a nonprofit landscape that doesn’t require a consistent pursuit of charitable giving for sustainability but, through diligence, foresight, and alternative development strategies, creates and acquires properties capable of generating income to fund nonprofit missions. At its core, this vision is about harnessing the power of the market to fuel the work of the mission.

Our first step to achieve City on a Hill principles is through the acquisition of 9501 Hillwood Drive. By creating income from our building through leases to unused suites at 9501 Hillwood Drive, we are able to cover a portion of our property overhead. Currently, the building already possesses two tenants that pay approximately $29,000 monthly and are committed to remaining tenants as we purchase the property. 

Additionally, City on a Hill as a vision for our church goes beyond hosting the rental income of other businesses and begins to pursue creating businesses that generate profit ethically and sustainably, with the goal of unlocking resources to fund nonprofit missions. Our first two businesses to pursue are a professional daycare and a venue space. Both of these businesses can operate as tenants or business cooperatives. For our daycare business partnership, we have a church member who runs another successful daycare site and is interested in developing a daycare on our site. As a church, these facility amenities will exist on weekends for the church but are perfect candidates midweek for business expressions.

Lastly, there are remaining office spaces that we will be seeking to lease to other businesses or individuals. 

As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, NKJV). This scripture inspires us to become that city—visible, influential, and purposeful in all that we do.

Sincerely, 

Samuel Goulet

The Mountain Church