Building Expansion Update

A church conference was held Sunday August 19, 2007 with our new District Superintendent Rev. Bob Allen presiding. Dr. Brad Hall reviewed the cost difficulties with the project and our efforts to reduce the project cost and work within the original church conference mandate of a total long term debt level not to exceed $500,000. Our efforts have not reduced the total project cost to an acceptable level. Paul Sullivan then reviewed the financial situation using a 2000 to 2011 financial spread sheet. The detail indicated that with cost control on operating income spending and a use of about 40 percent of our operating cash reserves we could manage the church finances with a long term debt level of $700,000. A motion to increase the debt level authorization was made and passed. This increase in debt will still not be enough to complete the current proposed expansion project.

A letter was sent to the church membership during the week of August 12 requesting everyone to consider further capital campaign commitments and 30 families responded on Sunday August 19. More have responded since then. For those who have so generously made new commitments we thank you. For all others please prayerfully consider the options listed in the letter and return your letter either to the locked box in the office or deliver it directly to Sharon Pehl. The amount of the extra giving will determine how much of the project we can complete.

Praise the Lord Praise the Lord. During 2006 our youth and children’s programs have been changing lives and have outgrown our physical space. Every Wednesday 80 to over 100 youth hear the Good News but they are overcrowded.  During the last few years over seven of our youth have been called to full time Christian ministry and three felt called to ordained ministry. Four former youth have gone on to lead worship elsewhere, and we are training more youth to lead services at the present time. Countless youth have given their lives to Christ. The youth program has brought new families to our congregation. Unfortunately, not having adequate facilities is preventing further growth.     The Church Council, in response to the recommendations of our staff and the building committee, has approved the remodeling of the gym this summer to provide the needed areas for the Youth. This will free up the rooms they currently are using for the children’s programs which are also overcrowded on Wednesdays and Sundays. The gym will be divided into four rooms. There will be one large room with steps up to the stage, an acoustic ceiling 12 to 14 feet high, and a new floor. The one third of the gym away from the stage will have a hallway between two smaller classrooms on one side and a larger room on the other side. All of the area above these three rooms and the hallway will be structured for storage which is one thing all groups in the church have asked for.  The remodeling of the gym will temporarily compromise some of our functions since we will not have a gym for recreation, large banquets and meetings. This sacrifice is necessary because of the critical and urgent needs of the youth and children’s programs. The Council also asked that the building committee research remodeling the current Music room.       Our current debt-free status permits us to borrow the money to complete the gym remodeling project this summer. The Council also decided to hold the Capital Campaign for Phase I of our Ten Year Building Plan in the Fall of this year. Our prayers are that we will raise enough money in the Capital Campaign for the remodeling of the gym and to build the new Community Life Center in 2007. This project includes a full size gym, a permanent Youth area and new Nursery. Upon completion of Phase I, the youth will move to the Community Life Center and the children will move into the remodeled gym. This will free up more rooms for Music and Adult Sunday School in the existing facilities.   As we continue to Love God, Share God’s Love, and Make Disciples, God continues to add to our congregation.  Please be in prayer that we can be faithful to our Mission, Vision, and Core Values.  Thank you for your excitement about this project, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call.   Dr. Brad Hall, Building Committee Chair     830-598-6000