UPDATE
10/29/08
Great News!
On October 23rd, we
had our conditional use hearing before Ada County
Planning and Zoning. The meeting was open for public comment, and typically is
the meeting for the expression of any opposition to the project from neighbors
or others. The meeting started at 6:00 pm, and we were the first item on the
agenda. No one testified, no opposition was recorded, and by 6:07 pm Randy Haverfield, our architect, and I were walking out the door
with our conditional use permit approved. Randy said that seven minutes was a
new record for the shortest meeting he has ever attended. This approval is a
huge step in the process of building our new church campus.
Construction
Manager Steve Hill’s Report:
On September 8th, Steve Hill brought to our team, a detailed cost
estimate of our new church building. When everything is included, (construction
costs, furnishings, wells and septic systems, parking lot, architect fees, ect.) the total cost comes to 10.5 million. When the land
is added, it brings the total to 11.7 million.
As a team, we are all in
agreement that we need to significantly reduce (by 2 million or more) the total
cost of the building. We are looking at four options that will help us accomplish this goal:
- Phase construction. Ideas include, putting all the structure in place,
but leaving the upstairs unfinished until additional finances are
available.
- Gifts in kind. Survey our congregation to see what talents and
abilities could be used to reduce costs. People within the community may
also be willing to donate or reduce their fees/labor costs.
- On October 8th, Steve gave
us some options that he thought would reduce the costs of the building
without reducing the square footage.
- Reduce the total amount of square footage in the building.
Our
team will be meeting in November to discuss
these options and we will report to the congregation our findings and
recommendations.
Finances:
People have continued to
be faithful in giving to our Dare You to Move faith offering. We are averaging
just over $5,000 per week. We have spent $177,086 so far, and have $282,143 in
our Building Fund account. Thank you for stretching your faith by
giving so faithfully.
Many commitments were
made based on the sale of an asset, such as real estate. With the economic
slowdown, some of these commitments will be made toward the end of the three
year time frame. God has certainly been faithful in all of this. In each step
of the way, He has given us what we need to continue to move the process
forward. I am confident He will continue to provide what we need at the right
time.
Prayer:
This is the most
important part of this process. Please continue to faithfully ask God for a
miracle. Remember: we are not building a new church campus to glorify
ourselves; we are building a new church campus to glorify God. It is His story
that is to be told by our words and example. He is glorified when people accept
Christ, and lives are changed.
Don’t forget our key verse:
“Now to Him who is able
to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the
power that works in us. To Him be glory in the church
by Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.
Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21
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