From Rick's Desk

Many times history turns on seemingly insignificant decisions.  In hindsight, these decisions evolve into determination, which eventually becomes resolve.  Less than a year ago, St. Andrew Baptist Church made a decision that we pray will grow into a resolve to follow God that strengthens our entire church.

St. Andrew Baptist Church, led by the Holy Spirit, voted unanimously to form a building team to develop a plan to accomplish several things.  Update the Worship Center including renovations to the Ladies’ and Men’s Restrooms, develop space now used for staff offices into new Senior Adult classroom space, develop a gathering space for worshippers before and after services and create a new and updated exterior entrance appearance to the Worship Center.  There are a number of other parts included in the charge to the building team from the church, however, these things are the primary parts of the puzzle that will allow us to accomplish the other items.

The decision made by the church was affirmed in a recent Quarterly Church Business Meeting when a recommendation to enter into a contract with COSCO & ASSOCIATES, Inc. was approved.  The Building 4 Generations To Come Building Team has a meeting scheduled later this month to begin the process of diligently working to accomplish as many of the directives of the church as we can as quickly and efficiently as possible with COSCO, our design/build partner. 

Recent building projects have improved spaces for our preschoolers, children and youth.  Now, it is time that we meet some pressing needs of our senior adults.  The good news is that as we address the needs of our senior adults, we will also provide more space for our younger and middle aged adults.  The decision to develop a plan to address these needs began by the church less than a year ago, is progressing even though you haven’t seen a nail or heard a hammer on our property.  The B4GTC  Building Team has been meeting and working in preparation of bringing a design/build partner on board.  The team developed a Scope of Work from the charge of the church and began other preliminary tasks in preparation for the “next steps.” 

In coming days, I will be working to keep you updated on the process that will move your decision towards a firm determination to move ahead with the next steps.  Eventually our determination will grow into a strong resolve to move forward with the plans that we feel God has laid on our hearts so that we might reach future generations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

B4GTC Building Team member Terry Morris reminded me of a fitting scripture used by Dr. Randall Perry during the 100th anniversary of St. Andrew Baptist Church.  Hebrews 10:23-25, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.  24. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25. Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. How appropriate that God led him to verses that describe ways that empower us to Exalt Christ, Meet Needs, and Reach The World.

The B4GTC Building Team covets your prayers as they meet with COSCO in the coming days. Would you pray that God will give us wisdom, discernment, vision, strength, endurance and unity? Danny Pate, Team leader, reminds us that Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”   

Building Team Members are: Danny Pate, Team Leader; 
Timothy Barnard; Bethany Boggs; Lauren Hahn; Bruce Kuhnel; Terry Morris; John Skaggs; Christy Wortman;  Dr. Michael Claunch, and Bro. Rick Mitchell.

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