Monday, October 19, 2009

Almost Speechless

This is a picture of our new fledgling church--Essential Church. It just started back in February, and we currently meet in a school because it's expensive buying and maintaining property. In fact, we didn't think a building was anywhere in the near future, but in this picture, our gifted pastor is making a "Big Announcement" (notice the screen). He revealed ---drum roll, please--- that another church in town with a declining membership had given us their 7-acre property. Yes, you read that right. A $4 million dollar property and they gave it to us!

Included: a spacious and fully stocked 15,000 square foot building.

Jaws dropped around the room, and not surprisingly, we erupted into applause.


Here, Steve's lovely wife, Melissa, talks about a verse that she had hung on to: Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope".

But really, what an amazing answered prayer this place is! Melissa gives God glory for doing more than we could ever ask or imagine.


While we were listening to the announcement, a group of people were over at the new property preparing spaghetti lunch for us. When our morning service was over, we high-tailed it over to the new property to check it out. Oh my, it is indeed so much more than we could ever imagine. It is nothing but POTENTIAL! Who knows what lives will be changed in this place.


Here's the auditorium with lunch over and us out of there and the chairs all set back up in place. This incredible building also has about 10 children's classrooms, 6 adult classrooms, a recreation/game room, a fenced playground area, a full kitchen, and a piano and organ! You can see more if you go to my link for Essential Church.
What do you say to something like this, besides thanks to the generous people who gifted it and
"Thank you, God!"
I've never heard of such a thing and I'm almost speechless.
I'm just praying that this will be a haven of hope, healing and comfort for people, and that God will be pleased by how we serve Him in this amazing place.
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5 comments:

Gberger said...

I'm stunned with you...and thankful. Thankful at their generosity, and thankful that their calling and desire for ministry looks as if it will continue to be fulfilled in your church's growth. That seems like a miracle...and it's beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Anonymous said...

What an awesome gift from God and a wonderful answer to prayer. Abviously He has great things in store for this church.

lvi

Anonymous said...

This is so hard to believe and I almost wish I were involved in that little church to see what lies ahead. It is amazing to think
of the plans God does have for us.
I know it is all good in His eyes.
So for now I will try to see all He
does for us, tears and all.
Love You Guys....
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Karen, I was just headed out the door to go paint my cottage and said ---no, I felt a real nudge by the Lord to go see you. God said---go see what I've done for Karen.

Yippee!!!! This is truly the grandest gift I've ever seen God give to a people as a whole. I mean it's like giving an apple. You can see the seeds in an apple but you can not count the apples in a seed.

This new church is truly a seed filled with hope that will flourish and spread its enthusiasm to the community. I wish I lived close by. I would come because of the generosity of the giving and because of the enthusiasm of the receiving.

Lots of love in all three directions with God being the biggest giver. I had tears of thankfulness.

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

wowzers! i'd say God has big plans for you and essential... BIG BIG plans!! how exciting is that?!!!