I’m excited about entering into a new season together: a season of restoration. By God’s grace, I think he’s leading us to deepen our connection as a church family and establish a place of hope in the center of Port Orchard that will primarily be for our neighbors.
Stay Current
PRIMARY GOAL:
100% ENGAGEMENT
SECONDARY GOAL:
$1.455 Million
Two Purposes: Sustaining Ministry and Restoring Mitchell
How to Engage
If you’d like to give to the initiative or find some tools to help learn and grow in generosity, this is where to go.
Join us in praying for the restoration of a people and place through this prayer exercise.
For those wanting to grow in the practice of generosity, the Practicing the Way course offers an accessible way to join in online.
Join a team of folks hard at work on restoring Mitchell House. Reach out by email to Jeff Stewart (project lead) for information on how to get involved by clicking the button below.
Stories
“A lot of this is God at work. I've felt it... When I come in and take a peek and see what is happening at Kitsap House, it is awesome to see... I love what this church has become and is going to become... I want this church to be a place and a church that people want to replicate. That they look at that and go-- that's what we need; that's what we want to be.”
Tony George
“We anticipate, with excitement, how God will continue to transform the hearts of his church and that of the local community through the restoration of the Mitchell building.”
Gina and Jeff Stewart
“Beth and I came to this community because we felt a deep connection to the mission of being a church for our neighbors and seeking God’s shalom is our neighborhoods. We are most excited to see how God will use a restored community building for His purpose and glory.”
John and Beth Burgess
Jesus is building us together into God’s house. What a wonder!
May we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions
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We own 1153 Mitchel Avenue debt free. The total estimated cost to complete the Mitchell House restoration is $1.95 million dollars. We’re anticipating: $650k TIME TO RESTORE; $650k partner/lease; $650K in-kind donations and grants.
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We mean more than one thing by using the word “restore.” “We” need restoring – restoring our connection with God and with one another. Our trust needs restoring - not only in one another but in the idea of church, faith, community, and leadership. Mitchell House needs to be restored and so, too, its purpose in the life of the central Port Orchard neighborhood.
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Please consider turning in a commitment card on February 8. It will help us plan the budget of two years of ministry and the pace of reconstruction. Sincerely pray, reflect and discuss with one another.
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February 8, 2026, will be our Commitment Sunday. Please prayerfully consider your participation in our work of restoration over the next two years (March 2026-April 2028). On March 1, 2026 we will celebrate our “Fish & Loaves” Sunday in which we will bring all that God has made possible for us to bring to worship as a collective offering.
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The pre-work for applying for permits is already underway. We hope to reconstruct in earnest after the close of this initiative in March 2026. We will move at the pace in which the financial resources come in–the faster we receive funds, the sooner we can open our new building!
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One Fund means that the financial gifts we bring as offering to God here at Kitsap House will be used toward both purposes: the ongoing work of the church’s ministry and the restoration of the building. Mitchell House is a significant part of the ministry of Kitsap House; it is not a separate project.
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We haven’t yet. The goal will be to have 1153 Mitchell Ave. operating “in the black” - either because we were able to fully fund the construction costs by the time we open the door or through a partnership lease that funds the annual cost of a minimal mortgage. We may pursue a construction loan after March 2026 to enable timely purchase of materials or hourly expertise if needed.
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The building was purchased in July 2025 with cash—gifts given by Kitsap House elders, EPC churches, “extended family” of Kitsap House, and a few families within Kitsap House who God prompted to give. It was a remarkable outpouring of God’s favor through the sacrificial giving of our extended family.
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We all have friends, family and neighbors who have not yet experienced the love of God. Our intention is to be a church and to meet in a building in which these very real people in our own lives can come out of isolation and into community. We who are receiving God’s joy in the hospitality, connection, encouragement, and equipping in Kitsap House want to multiply that work for the sake of our neighbors.
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When we live in the awareness that God gives joyfully, we respond with giving generously. God has called us to give back as a means of being transformed, to become more like him. You might join us in giving when you see restoration as communal work that you’re a part of. You want to partner with God in his work of shalom in Port Orchard.
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The short answer: wisdom, experience and big hopes. The participation goal comes from the heart of this being our first collective goal since forming as a church. We want everyone in! The financial goal for the ministry fund reflects a cost of living increase over two years. The Mitchell House financial goal reflects best practices regarding the age and size of our congregation.
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Mitchell House will not only be a gathering space for Kitsap House but a neighborhood center. Shared spaces are rare in our community. At one time, 1153 Mitchell Avenue was a place of neighborhood gathering. We want to see that sense of community restored and multiply the hope that God has the power to restore us all.
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We rent 703 from a friend of the ministry who owns the home. We are passionate about the discipleship of young adults being at the heart of Kitsap House. We would like to increase the resident capacity from five young adults to seven which would have the house operating financially “in the black.”