In late 2026, Essential Church will move in with Lakewood Baptist Church. The 2 churches will become 1.

Both churches have agreed and Essential Church and Lakewood Baptist Church will merge together to become one church!

This is a situation where Lakewood has a lot more space, and Essential has a lot more people and resources.

We believe we will be able to reach more people for Christ together, than we could ever do separate. After a lengthy process of prayer, listening, and exploring we are moving forward together!

Renovations have begun! It is difficult to estimate on when renovations will be complete, but we expect renovations to be complete no sooner than late 2026.

We believe both churches coming together will have a greater impact for reaching people who feel church isn’t for them in the Huntsville area, than we would have working alone.

So what does this mean?

  1. Both churches will continue operating as normal, and independently, until the renovations are complete (estimated to be in late 2026)

  2. Once renovations are complete, Essential will move into the Lakewood property and join the Lakewood congregation currently worshipping there.

  3. Major renovations have begun at Lakewood—it’s going to be AWESOME.

  4. Tim Milner will continue as the Lead Pastor. The Essential Staff will continue in their current roles. Terrell Boyd will join the Essential Staff as a Pastor.

  5. The church will continue to be called Essential Church.

  6. We are thrilled about what God is doing and we would love for you to join us!

  7. We invite you to continue reading below if you’re interested in praying about giving towards the renovation costs. It’s a strategic Kingdom investment.

A Vision for Our Future

Dear Essential Family,

It is amazing what God has done through the people of Essential Church over the past 9 years! Our church has grown from 21 adults in a living room to hundreds of people meeting weekly in multiple worship services. God has used us to see hundreds of people accept Christ, be baptized, and learn to live for Jesus!

We are launching a new initiative we are calling More Than Us. This initiative is about creating more room for people who feel church isn’t for them.

Please pray about how God would like to use you and your family to reach the 300,000+ people in our area who feel church isn’t for them!

-Pastor Tim

Why This Is Important

We are currently out of space on Sundays and at strategic times during the week. We have demand right now for additional sanctuary seating, parking, new believer classes, additional auditorium seating, small groups, recovery groups, kids' and youth's spaces, and offices. God keeps sending us more people, and we want to be prepared to welcome them.

Where will More Than Us funds go?

With money raised, we will be able to renovate the Lakewood property:

  • The sanctuary that is estimated to sit 600

  • All the children space we will need for the foreseeable future

  • Incredible and huge youth space

  • Tons of parking

  • Several multi-purpose rooms for new believer classes, Bible studies, baptism classes, next step classes, etc.

  • Property on Memorial Parkway which will allow access to reach more people in our region

Each of Us Working Together

Here’s how you can contribute...

(1) Complete and turn-in The More Than Us envelope (available near offering boxes at Essential Church).

(2) Use Essential.fyi/give. Select “Give now,” then choose “More Than Us” from the drop-down menu.

(3) Mail gifts to Essential Church, 801 Beirne Ave, Huntsville, AL 35801.

Your gifts to More Than Us are tax deductible.

To hit our goal, join us in praying which of the below is appropriate for you and/or your family:

  • 1 person giving $60,000 - $75,000 upfront and/or over 2 years.

  • 3 people giving $24,000 - $30,000 upfront and/or over 2 years.

  • 6 people giving $12,000 - $15,000 upfront and/or over 2 years.

  • 12 people giving $6,000 - $10,000 upfront and/or over 2 years.

  • 18 people giving $2,400 - $3,000 upfront and/or over 2 years.

  • 36 people giving $1,200 - $1,800 upfront and/or over 2 years.

Thank you.

Thank you for praying about this.

If Jesus so moves you to contribute, thank you for that too. Your giving back to God through this project is an act of worship. It’s a step of faith. It’s being obedient to God. Your gift grows your trust in God’s provision.

Your gift will cause others to hear the Gospel.

Your gift will encourage many: people in recovery, our next generation, and many in our community who feel church isn’t for them.

On behalf of each person who will be reached, served, discipled, find Jesus, or in some way encouraged—because of your gift—THANK YOU!

Contact Us

Email
info@essential.fyi

Phone
256-653-1865

Mailing Address
801 Beirne Ave
Huntsville, AL 35801