Holy Nerve
Last October, the church body gathered and voted overwhelmingly to pursue a capital fundraising campaign of $16 million. Talk about Holy Nerve! It's worth reviewing, however, a few of the open and closed doors through which God led us to that momentous decision. Years of searching for other property showed us that the closest available land that would meet our need is miles away in Forest Grove. As we turned our attention to our existing site, God began to move. A new survey of the "Field of Dreams" at the back of our property revealed the land is higher in elevation than we once thought. It is not a flood plane at all, but is buildable land. Two houses neighboring our property went on the market. The church voted to purchase them and will be able to use the buildings as temporary office space. We are also in the process of purchasing, at way below market value, the cemetery that borders our property.
With a promise to maintain the existing gravesites, we are free to develop nearly an acre of land for much needed parking. Sensing God's leading in all of this, we are now embarking on a three-year stewardship ministry called Realizing the Vision. Yes, we are raising money to build new buildings, but we are also doing much more than that. We are building space to connect. We are expanding the foundation from which we reach out in ministry.
$16 million will enable us to build a new sanctuary and lobby, worship support areas, unfinished space for youth ministries and new parking. These are the first steps God is leading us to take so that we might have more space for people to connect with each other and with Him. Construction of office space, children's ministry space, the athletic center and regional ministry center will be funded in the future as God leads.
The reality is any great vision will take monumental faith, nerve and tenacity. God seldom says, "I'll go for you," but rather, "I'll go with you." We have seen God act on our behalf already. And so, we are stepping out in Holy Nerve, seeking to do something we know we could never do apart from Him. In human terms, $16 million seems like an incredible, unbelievable amount of money. To the God of the universe, it is merely a drop in the bucket.
