• As our elder board and staff have prayed about reaching more of Austin asking God for wisdom and direction, an opportunity presented itself over a year ago when we learned that Great Hills Baptist Church was planning to sell its facility. After months of prayer and consideration, we engaged in negotiations with Great Hills and have purchased the land and facilities.

• We believe that expanding into this part of Austin is strategic and helps us fulfill our mission of pursuing people at all costs, so they can know Jesus, grow in Him, and serve Him daily.

• We currently have over 500 people who travel past or are closer to this location who come to one of our campuses each Sunday. This North Hills Campus will provide significant space, as well as open up space on our existing campuses, to reach more people.

• The population density in this location is strategic with over 250,000 people living within five miles of the church.

• Yes, this North Hills Campus is part of NEXT.

• Go to austinridge.org/next for current information on each project in the NEXT Fund.

• Building our Dripping Springs Campus continues to be our first priority.

• We’re still pursuing the Bee Cave Campus Chapel; however, it has been lowered in priority since God opened the door to North Hills. It is likely to be delayed in development.

• The Highland Lakes Campus has been launched, and we are seeing over 250 people attend each Sunday.

• Our contract with Great Hills Baptist Church is structured to pay out the purchase price over time and allow them to continue to occupy the facility for two years. We paid Great Hills $10 million at closing and lease the facility back to them through 12/31/2026. When Great Hills moves out of the facility, we will pay them $10 million and make annual payments of $10 million for the next four years for the total of the $60 million contract price.

• Our staff and elders have produced and studied financial models for the next 7–10 years and believe that, with God’s continued provision, we will be able to fund both the Dripping Springs Campus as well as the purchase of the North Hills Campus.

• Those financial models anticipate additional pledges and contributions to the NEXT Fund over time. Please go to austinridge.org/next to make a pledge or gift.

• We also recognize the need to grow our staff to support ministry in North Hills and believe that the next two years (while Great Hills is still using the buildings) will allow us time to adequately prepare.

• During the contract process, we have done significant due diligence, including reviewing a 138-page Property Condition Report from Partner ESI and a 129-page Appraisal Report from CBRE Valuation and Advisory Services.

• The property has been very well maintained and the appraisal supports our purchase price, but there are items that will need updating and renovation. Remodeling costs have been included in our financial models, but the timing and extent of remodeling is yet to be determined.

If you have more questions or would like to talk with our team about the North Hills Campus expansion, please email next@austinridge.org.