Seeking God’s Plan…
Together

Inspired by a belief that the Church, writ large, is at a historic tipping point, 3D Strategies is launching Emmaus Group – a consulting and brokerage services company exclusively focused on serving faith-based property owners. We are a group of church and faith-based leaders gathering together to discern God’s plan for using our underutilized church facilities and surplus land to glorify God and bless our communities.

“One of the greatest acts of faith is to believe that the few years we live on this earth are like a little seed planted in a very rich soil. For this seed to bear fruit, it must die. We often see only the dying, but the harvest will be abundant even when we ourselves are not the harvesters”
– Henri Nouwen

Stewarding Church Properties
LIKE JESUS WOULD

Use Places to Love People

We know that the church is a group of people, not just a place. But we need places to gather, learn, pray, worship, preach, and reach out to non-believers. Places to give the lost and downtrodden refuge while teaching them the Good News.

Bless Hurting Communities

Transition unused church properties into what the community needs. From affordable housing and teen centers to community centers and non-profit services for immigrants, underutilized properties can be transformed into live-giving places of ministry.

Equip the Saints

We are all called to service and have been given gifts from God to serve Him. It is the church body that gathers to teach and encourage one another in order to build up the body of Christ through work and sacrifice.

Care for the Lost

Spreading the gospel and teaching the church how to evangelize are paramount to reaching the lost. Using church properties to educate believers and evangelize to non-believers helps us follow the Great Commission.

Our
INSPIRATION

Our journey began with the Parable of the Talents, recognizing that as members of our respective congregations, we are not the owners of these church properties, but stewards who are charged with investing them faithfully in order to bring blessings to our communities and glory to God. Matthew 25: 14-30

When as church leaders we sought to discern God’s path forward, we were encouraged by the Year of Jubilee and God’s plan for the renewal of his people, their properties, and their future. Leviticus 25, 27

And as many congregations struggled with decreasing attendance and a deep sense of loss, the Road to Emmaus inspired us to think anew. As Jesus, the mysterious third traveler made clear, what often seems like the “end” is actually the path to New Life. Luke 24:13-32 John 12:24-26

Is this not the very essence of the Good News, i.e., that new life is manifested only through death?

Emmaus Group Development, Consulting & Brokerage in Partnership with 3D STRATEGIES AND OTHER REAL PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

As you have confidential conversations with your peers, you may have a need for consultation and services from professional real estate consultants including, but not limited to, affordable and market-rate housing builders, land planners, architects, civil engineers, community engagement specialists, real estate brokers, etc. To the extent you do, Dominic D. Dutra and 3D Strategies are available to meet with your church leadership and congregation to have a No-Cost and No-Commitment Meeting to discuss your options.

For over 30 years, Dominic Dutra has dedicated his life to real estate and the church.

With expansive experience working across state lines, denominations, and special cases, Dominic finds purpose in solving the most pressing challenges facing congregations today. Mounting maintenance costs and unused real estate shouldn’t determine the impact your church can have.

If you’re interested in learning more about Dominic’s experience or how he can help turn your underutilized real estate into a kingdom gain, reach out today.

Local
STEWARDSHIP

Serving faith-based organizations in the state of California

Churches

Seminaries

Religious
Communities

On the
ROAD

Articles on Faith, Stewardship, and Real Estate

The Process of Formulating a Lease

If the most likely or preferred option is the lease of the property, then the broker should do the following: Work with the Church to identify those areas of the property that could be leased on an exclusive basis versus those areas that may be shared by the...

Developing a Request for Proposal

Now that you’ve met with your congregation, received authorization to explore your options, and engaged a competent and trustworthy real estate broker, you are ready to let the world know. The vehicle for seeking these options is a Request for Proposal...

Crafting a Comprehensive Facility Use Agreement

Churches must follow the calling of Christ to be both “wise as serpents” and “innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16, ESV) in missional interactions. Renting out space is absolutely a way to bless a community, but churches must not trade some missional...