reimagine church real estate to fit your mission in the neighborhood


Helping your church discover real estate and placemaking solutions that fit your mission and serve your neighborhood.


Where is your church getting stuck with its property?

We have creative ideas about what we want to do with our property, but aren’t sure what’s actually feasible.

We want to serve the neighborhood with our property, but don’t know how to discover or meet their needs and desires.

We don’t know what to do with our underutilized or worn-out space and land, which makes it feel like a liability and a burden.

Churches shouldn't have to be real estate experts.
Let us be your guide.

How we can help

No matter how stuck you feel, our custom service packages will empower your church to discover a plan for your property that aligns with your unique mission, context, and resources so you can move forward.

Our packages are designed to address a variety of needs, including:

Placemaking Strategy

Real Estate Coaching

Property Analysis

Congregational Listening

Neighborhood Connecting

I'm Sara Joy. I'd love to be your guide.

I'm passionate about equipping churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their neighborhoods through faithful and creative property stewardship.

I have over a decade of professional experience in managing $150+ million in private real estate development projects and leading community placemaking workshops throughout the Midwest. It's my joy to use these skills to guide churches in reimagining and renewing their properties.

As co-host of The Embedded Church podcast, I provide insight into best practices for churches seeking to serve their neighborhoods. I've also co-authored two placemaking toolkits: Redemptive Placemaking: A Toolkit for Discerning Your Church's Mission in the Built Environment and Placemaking Your Main Street: Connecting Community & Commerce.

“Build houses and plant gardens. Seek the welfare of the city.”

Jeremiah 29:5 + 7

How to get started

Book a free
Discovery Call

Schedule an Exploratory Session

Review Your
Custom Proposal

Peace Church in Eagan had a great desire to use our property to connect with neighbors, but we didn’t know where to begin the process. Sara Joy of Proximity Project offered wonderful insights and practical strategies for approaching our property development needs. They took our desire and made it an achievable vision!
— James E. | Peace Church

ready to get started?

If you’re ready to start reimagining your church property, then we’re ready to help.