Long before our first Sacred Settlement was planted at Mosaic, there was a small ring of tiny homes in the north parking lot of Woodland Hills church. We used that space to tour hundreds of curious people, casting a vision of what a Sacred Settlement could feel like. On cold nights, we spent time rigging extension cords to bring light to the homes and starting a cozy fire to gather around. Within that ring of homes, we met and built our core community of faithful supporters. You know who you are!

Then, as we started establishing Sacred Settlements, the homes were moved to their permanent locations at Mosaic and Prince of Peace. As our work changed from the hypothetical to the real, Woodland Hills asked Settled a beautiful question,

“What can we do with the north parking lot now?”

From the church’s perspective, they had an underused parking lot that would soon need to be repaved — a scenario many churches face. But Woodland Hills was thinking outside the box. Is there a way to do something different with that space? How could it be used for kingdom work? And together we cast a vision for an official Demonstration Sacred Settlement site on their property.

God provided.

Thanks to a partnership with the local watershed district and funds donated by the congregation, Woodland Hills Church was able to fully fund this incredible project, replacing old pavement with a natural environment.

The result is the Demonstration Settlement: a place where people can hear about the model, get to know one another and walk through the tiny homes that are waiting to be relocated to Sacred Settlements. It’s a win-win for both the community and the church, offering both educational value and a visual example of what a Sacred Settlement could become. Oh, and it works for tiny home storage: a win-win-win.

The green space also functions as a rain garden - the largest in the city - that not only enhances the beauty of the church grounds but also plays a vital environmental role. The garden helps filter pollutants from storm water runoff, protecting local waterways and creating a lush, native habitat that will thrive for years to come. There are native prairie grasses and trees, creating a natural, low-maintenance area for relaxation, picnics, and family gatherings. It will be a place to walk, pause, and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. It’s a reminder that rethinking what God has already provided—can have a lasting, positive impact on the environment and the community.

In addition, the green space will serve as a natural playground for a daycare operating out of the church, giving children a safe and stimulating outdoor environment to explore. Whether people are stopping by to visit the Demonstration Settlement, pick up food from the church’s free food market partner (which serves hundreds of families a day), or if they are simply enjoying a walk, this green space will offer a peaceful destination for everyone.

By repurposing the parking lot instead of investing in costly ongoing repairs and maintenance of an underused parking lot, Woodland Hills Church has made a sustainable, cost-effective choice to repurpose it into a natural environment.

“By modeling how to care for creation, and wrapping it around these tiny homes that model how to care for people, we’re hoping to create momentum for new ideas.”
_{- Pastor Rohling, WHC}

This project is more than just a parking lot repurposed into a garden. It’s a tangible expression of how God can take what seems like a burden and turn it into something far greater. For Woodland Hills Church, this rain garden represents their commitment to sustainability, community service, and sharing the vision of Sacred Settlements with others. Once complete, it will be a place of beauty, a place of learning, and a place of connection. It’s a living testament to how God works, bringing good out of any situation and making it better than it was before.

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