Building Program
THE PLAN FOR HOPE
I. CHURCH GIVEN PROPERTY.
Bro. Mike was preparing to share VISION 1:8 with the church, a plan to further the Acts 1:8 strategy for being witnesses of Christ in our own Jerusalem to the very end of the earth. As a part of VISION 1:8, the pastor was going to ask the church to try to purchase the property across the street from the Medical Center or to build a building from scratch as the new home for our Jerusalem Mission Ministries. Unexpectedly, a man came to Bro. Mike´s office to see him. He said, “Bro. Mike, a group of us is in the process of buying the property across from the Medical Clinic. We plan to assign the sales contract to the church and donate the money to the church to pay for it.”
The money has been given. Closing on the property is set for October 24. The property is nearly three-quarters of an acre with three buildings. The main building is 10,000 sq. ft. of office space that will easily convert to the kind of space needed for Benevolence and Medical. A second building of nearly 3,000 sq. ft. will convert well to a warehouse, something badly needed by all of our Jerusalem Ministries. The third building is less than 1,000 sq. ft., but will make a good work center office for helping people find employment. Although much remodeling will be needed, the structure and design of the buildings will be perfect for the Center of Hope. Once the Medical and Benevolence Ministries are relocated, The Sheltering Tree will be able to move into the two story house currently occupied by Medical. This is ideal, because The Sheltering Tree Ministry prefers a “home” style setting.
II. CHURCH VOTES TO REMODEL AND DEVELOP PROPERTY AS NEW HOME FOR JERUSALEM MINISTRIES.
On October 16, the church voted unanimously to remodel, develop, and furnish the property recently donated to the church to house our Jerusalem Ministries. The main building, over 10,000 sq. ft., will be called “The Center of Hope Building.”
III. CHURCH BEGINS “A TIME FOR HOPE” CAMPAIGN.
campaign to raise the money for the remodeling of the property and to finish paying for the Student Center and Kid Zone buildings recently completed. The goal for the campaign is $2.1 million. If the Lord grants that amount, we can complete the Center of Hope and be debt free as a church! In that same church conference, the church also unanimously voted to begin “A Time For Hope” capital stewardship.
IV. CENTER OF HOPE BUILDING TEAM ELECTED.
A Center of Hope Building Team was formed to plan and oversee the remodeling and development of the Center of Hope. Danny Pate was chosen as the Team Leader. The Lord used Danny to successfully lead us through our most recent building projects. The church also elected Stacy Applegate, John Boatwright, John Christmas, Windell Holley, Terry Morris,Kim Parsons, and Jan Whittle. Each of these brings special God given abilities to the table and has a special love for our Jerusalem Ministries. Staff liaison members of the team are Lynn Briley and Rick Mitchell.
V. “LIFE SKILLS” DISCIPLESHIP ADDED TO JERUSALEM MINISTRIES.
Not only will the Center of Hope offer much improved space and more space to our Jerusalem Ministries, it will also allow us to begin “Life Skills” discipleship as a part of the Benevolence, Sheltering Tree, and Medical Ministries. Short term classes will be offered in both the daytime and at night to help people learn about money management, how to be a good employee, household budgeting, planning family meals and cooking, improving marital relationships, parenting, dealing with substance abuse, and many other areas as well.
Our goal will be to help those people who genuinely want change in their life to break free of binding sins and destructive habits and learn how to walk with Christ and experience His victory in every area of life.
