This is a critical time in the story of Evergreen
Church. I have never felt like so much
of Christ’s dream has hinged on so little. Let me explain….
Last night I was sitting on my piano bench in my living
room, smiling as people ate cake for Christy Anne’s birthday and talked just
after Followers of the Way. It was
loud, joyous and lively. This group has
grown in the knowledge and understanding of Christ and is asking all the right
questions while engaging scripture and discipleship with vigor and interest. It makes Wednesday nights one of the
highlights of my week, because many of these people have just recently given
their hearts and lives to Christ. With
the joy and knowledge that Jesus has entrusted Evergreen and myself with so
many to love, disciple and care for, there comes a significant
responsibility. I often feel like the
dad of the church at only 33. A loving
father takes the time to both provide and build a home for his family while
protecting it from anyone who would harm those he loves. For us this home has increasingly meant a
place for us to do ministry seven days a week. A “home” we could offer to community groups, charities, and host events
that will impact our community in new and creative ways. Over the last few months, our attention has
been drawn more and more to this building at 3024 Church Street (Business 51).
This former Mautz Paint building has enough room for a 200 seat sanctuary, a Kids Area,
Nursery, Café, Restrooms and a little sliver of office space. The primary difficulty with the building
would be parking, but there is immediately available parking close by for more than 100 cars.
One of our motivations to vacate Washington Elementary is
that our presence there has begun to be a burden to the school. I received a call yesterday from Gary the
primary custodian at Washington advising me that we would need to get ½ of our
stuff out of the gym including the large children’s canister we just
constructed. Consequently, ALL of our
chairs will need to be placed in our church trailer and wheeled in and out each
Sunday for at least the next several weeks. Currently the plan I am hoping to execute involves moving our mobile
church into this building on a trial basis, followed by renting the facility or
doing a land contract and then (hopefully) buying it.
Here is what I would ask of you:
First: PLEASE PRAY! Many barriers must be overcome in order for something like this to
happen. The owners of the building, M
& E Rentals, must be willing to let us rent/squat/utilize the building for
a combination of a tax write-off and cash, or just a much discounted rate. This is the largest hurtle. Additionally there are a number of other
factors that Jesus could deal with instantaneously, and this is exactly what we
need.
Second: PLEASE GIVE! Evergreen is currently about $5000 behind budget for the year. This is
money that will immediately go to the school district to pay our bills with
them. In January we will be doing a
series on stewardship once again and this is usually a time when income
increases for us, but it sure would be nice to start out 2008 in the black.
Pray like this dream depends on God and give like this dream
depends on you!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Al
PS: I hope to see
all of you at the Christmas party tomorrow night at 6PM!
PPS-Look for more pics in the photo album area!
