Building a Church

We love our church. We have been going there for almost 3 years and some of the people have become like family to us. 

It's a small church and we still don't have a building of our own. We rent space from a school, but thankfully the school doesn't use the building regularly so it seems like its our own building. Still....it's a small space. We've completely outgrown it and need a bigger building.

About 10 years ago the leaders of our church decided it was time to build. But our church is small and most of the members are not wealthy by any means. The leaders felt it was important to build with cash and not go deep into debt so 10 years later we still don't have  building. 

But we are making progress. Great progress. 

Walls are up....sidewalks are in....the next step is a roof.

If we can raise the money to put a roof on, we have decided to take out a loan to finish the building. Kevin is the chair of the "raise the roof" campaign and it's been really neat to see the church coming together and rallying one last time to raise a significant amount of money.

We are in the middle of "40 days to the edge" - our campaign. We have daily devotions (written by church members) to read. And each day someone in the congregation is fasting. And each day someone is at the property, walking around and praying. We are all taking turns.

We are planning a big banquet in May where we will ask people to pledge money and end this campaign. In a couple weeks we'll be doing tours of the property that will end with a BBQ dinner right there at the new site.

It's fun being part of a church building again. I remember when my childhood church was built back in the early 80s. I'm glad my kids will have these memories, too.

Yesterday during church, the kids got to ride the bus to the new property and put their handprints in the sidewalk outside the children's wing.

Here they are standing inside what will be the foyer.

They got to write with chalk while they were waiting for their turn to do their handprint.

The gentleman in red is Ed - he's our dear friend and is one of the co-founders of the orphanage I'm go to later this week.

Would you join us in praying that we can raise the $350,000 we need to put this roof on? With this new building we have the potential of being an amazing light and place of hope in the community of Troutdale.

(and if you have several thousands of dollars sitting around that you just don't know what to do with, let me know!)