No doubt this has been the question on everyone’s mind the past few months. It certainly has been the question I ask every single day. What seems to be taking so long?
The project is nearly completed and we have called for final inspections. Here’s where we stand as of today. Today (2/17) the fire marshal will re-inspect our pump house and do a test of our fire pump. He will also be inspecting some items in the building. Once it passes, we hope to have our final electrical, plumbing, site, stormwater management, grading, water quality, safety, and building inspections completed as soon as possible. We are working diligently to make sure everything is ready to go in a timely fashion.
As I have mentioned in prior videos and postings, we do not have a firm open date yet. We had targeted in late January to open March 7 for our first service. That was a target, and that target is getting smaller. While it is still possible, that date may move. BUT…Don’t be discouraged! We will be open in a matter of weeks not months. Please understand that we cannot set a true open date until we have our final occupancy permit in hand.
We will need plenty of volunteer help to clean and prep the building once we have our occupancy permit. If you would like to sign up to help you can do so here. We will have volunteer dates scheduled as soon as possible after obtaining our occupancy permit. To date, we have over 40 volunteers signed up and ready to go. You will receive periodic updates if you are part of this group.
A lot has happened over the last year. Our world, nation, community, church, and families have faced many challenges. For Life Church, it has been a hard but exciting year. So much spiritual growth has taken place, as we have navigated a pandemic, while constructing our first facility, and still worked to provide weekly online content to encourage the body and reach our community. Ministry may look different but it has not stopped. We have fed the hungry, blessed those in need, continued to support local charities financially and with volunteers, comforted the grieving, walked alongside the addicted, supported our local first responders and front-line workers, supported our missionaries, blessed children around the world through Operation Christmas Child and ministered to kids and families at home. We were able to have 15 in-person gatherings in 2020 and will soon, as the Lord wills open up our new home’s doors to serve His Kingdom.
Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to do so. If you are able, please continue to fast on Fridays (Fast starts post-dinner Thursday and ends on Friday at dinner time) for the completion of this project and divine favor. Also set an alarm for 2:42 pm every day and take a moment to pray that God helps us be a church like in Acts 2:42-47:
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
Be encouraged! God’s timing and our timing seldom line up. We may not understand the delays, but it is always best to trust God in what may feel like a stall, knowing that His best is yet to come.
God bless and we will keep you posted!
Steve