Building the Future

Every time I visit our new building site I can hardly believe my eyes. Concrete walls have been raised out of solid clay corn field. It is so exciting to look inside the walls. Recently our Kid's Director Bethann saw the size of the classrooms in that wing and gasped. We all felt the heartbeat of people in the new space, praising God, singing, learning, growing, be sent out.



When I think of the timing of this whole project, I simply shake my head and marvel at God. There is little doubt about the need. I believe our ability to grow at our present site is being held back by the lack of adequate space. Our project started many years ago in the planning stages. Our capital campaign took place in mid-2007. Our ground breaking occurred in August of 2008.

But then in September, the wheels begain to fall off the economy with revelations of the banking industry in trouble.



Many times I've fallen back on God in all of this. "God, you will have to see this through because it doesn't look good from this angle." And God usually assures me that He was in charge anyway whether we knew it or not. One of the things that a few Cornerstone people have asked is: "So why are we building a new facility if we are cutting back the budget?" It sounds like a reasonable question. But stop and think for a minute. The project was well along before this economic crisis hit with full force. The cost of stopping a project like this and restarting once work has begun is enormous....millions. And that still doesn't solve our need for space.



In addition, we do not transfer funds back and forth between operations and building. We respect the donor intent for the funds that were given. So a slight shortfall in one area does not mean that everything else comes to a halt. And so we press on.



Will this year be more difficult? Maybe. If you believe the media and watch what's happening to companies in the area, it is likely. Do we serve a God who provides? Yes. One piece of good news that has been developing in the last week is that 3 different parties have shown interest in our present property. All are churches. One is very very interested and we are pursuing discussions with them.



I am not sure how all of this will turn out. I anticipate that we will move into our new facility around the end of October or early November. In December of 09, Cornerstone will celebrate 20 years of ministry. Wouldn't this be a great birthday party....a new ministry center!



I encourage you to continue to pray big, pray hard, pray often. I also urge you to continue to give as God provides. Do not hold back out of fear. God cannot honor that. If you have work and have income, be faithful with what you do have. Let's continue to lift up our fellow Cornerstone-ites who have lost jobs or struggle to make ends meet. Very soon, more volunteer opportunities will be available to help our church save even more money. I hope you will jump in and do what you can. Blessings....



Brad