Case Study · Westside Community Church
Helping Westside explain its building campaign.
The Time Is Now helped Westside explain why it needed a new building and how members could help. Pastor Gabe Kolstad shares the early response.
Mission Films & Building Campaign · Aloha / Beaverton, OR
Westside is Caleb Kolstad's home church, where he also serves on staff. Lead Pastor Gabe Kolstad is his father.
$750,000
Campaign goal to secure, prepare, and move into the building
About half
Of the goal committed within the first few weeks
$30,000
Anonymous gift given up front
Double
The capacity the proposed move would provide
Early campaign figures reported by Pastor Gabe Kolstad on September 9, 2026. Commitments are not the same as funds received. These describe the wider campaign, not revenue attributed to the films.
Explaining why the church needed more space
Westside had an opportunity to relocate to a nearby building that would double its capacity. Pastor Gabe Kolstad saw the need to expand and believed God was leading the church to move. He needed to explain that need and the proposed move to the congregation.
The church needed more space for its ministry, but had a short timeline to secure the building, prepare it, and move in. Gabe wanted people to understand the need and what the move would require.
Sharing the films and visiting the building
Kolstad Media created The Time Is Now mission film and its Legacy companion for the campaign. The films explained the move and invited people to take part.
The congregation also walked through the building and met there several times. Gabe describes the response as "unity and shared enthusiasm." He points to the combination of storytelling and those in-person opportunities as the source of that energy.
The first commitments gave people courage.
Within the first few weeks, Westside had commitments for about half of its $750,000 goal. Gabe especially remembers an anonymous $30,000 gift made up front. He described it as a moment that gave people courage to move forward.
The campaign was still underway when Gabe shared these early results. He says the films helped people understand and support the plans he was describing.
How members responded to the move
One longtime member came up to Gabe, grabbed him by the shoulders, and said, "I've been waiting my whole life for this ride." Gabe remembers that exchange alongside others who told him they believed the move was God's plan.
For Gabe, these conversations showed how much members wanted to help. They saw the new space as a way for the church to serve more people in the community.
“The combination of inspiring storytelling via media and in-person opportunities was electric!”
Gabe Kolstad
Lead Pastor, Westside Community Church
Watch the work
The Time Is Now
The Time Is Now: Legacy
“The films are where people really start to gel around what you're talking about.”
Gabe Kolstad
His advice to another pastor planning a campaign
Help your church understand your building plans
Bring your campaign vision and timeline to a free call. We'll talk through the story your congregation needs to hear and where a film could help.