Building Plan Update

 

Direction after purchasing land:

 We went full-speed ahead to build on our new land.  But after a couple years it was clear that we needed more space soon but didn't have enough money to build on our new land.  As pastor and board, we discussed these things a lot. As pastor, I was especially frustrated as we are supposed to have all the answers!  For weeks I looked at every angle—renting, leasing--even looking at putting in a high-tech tent!  I wailed to God--no answer!  Finally, I dumped all the data on the board (where it belonged)..."I can’t figure this out, but I’ve just got to teach the Word—you figure it out.”  And, in a matter of minutes of looking at the options, they knew we should expand on our existing property until we outgrew it.  Unanimous in about five minutes.

 But getting a design for expanding on the existing site was another matter. We had already had two architecture firms attempt to come up with an expansion plan--but it was nothing that would work well, or even look good.  But when our architect that had worked on site planning for the new property came down, in one afternoon he had a design that astounded us.  In fact, visitors now are surprised to learn it is an addition!  (I think, “Didn’t you see that the suspended ceiling isn’t in yet on the sides, nor is the window trim in….)  Anyway, the plan added a sanctuary behind our existing building, used a small connector building between, and converted our existing sanctuary into a new foyer, a visitor lounge, and a nursery.  As we knew that we were eventually planning a move to our new land we had the expansion designed to convert easily to business use, for future sale.  

 As we were already an "approved" project with the MAPS RVer's program of the Assemblies of God, we simply changed our labor request to reflect our new plans.  It was amazing how quickly the project fell together.  In mere months we had a site plan, building plans, permits, and volunteers arriving.  In the MAPS program, people come and work and pay all their own expenses.  They get no pay, and we contribute only one dollar per hour for labor to the home office for the ministry. 

 Our first volunteers arrived, Ed and Sha ron Garrison, and Ed went out in the mud and began to prepare for a foundation.  That man had the tenacity of a pit bull!  It was wet and cold. We had so long been with inadequate space that I almost couldn't believe it could happen!  But Ed stayed with it!  Others came, some briefly, some for the summer, and the building took shape.  Our local building supply was astonished how quickly those "old guys" got that building up!!!  Hey, they had Jesus helping them and he was a carpenter!  Only God knows the sacrifice of these dear people, and only he can repay them for their giving. The Garrisons, the Allen's, the Lupini's, the DeCoster's, the Futch's, the Kilgore's, and I’ve forgotten one concrete finishers name.  What a blessing this was to us!  The heat became unbearable—literally hotter than Florida where they came from.  But they stayed at it!

 Now there is a lesson on Christian service!  No shuffleboard for their retirement years. These were real people, not angels with wings, but their example of dedication was from heaven.  Bless them, Lord, and all like them!  May we be like them and send out more!  ALL of them wanted no credit, no brag, no fussing over them.  They would simply say, “thank the Lord”, or “praise the Lord”.

 Right now we have a lovely sanctuary that seats about 250, a new parking lot, a detention pond, a new classroom, two new nurseries.  Landscaping, kitchen, and new bathrooms are yet to be finished.

 As far as our land....was the purchase a mistake?  Here is “the rest of the story”.  Within a year of the purchase we were offered nearly twice what we paid for the land.  Home Depot and a tennis center went in nearby.  The seller was interested in getting it back.  Our site engineer says it is the last piece in Ellsworth like it: significant land to build on with water and sewer available. 

 God knew that if we simply had a vision to build where we were, land would have become unavailable or too high priced.  Thus, he first moved our hearts that we would need more land.  Then, he changed our time table and sent us volunteers to help us build on our existing site.  In his goodness he also knew that to have built now on our new land we would have been too small of a group on too big of a project.

 Buildings are not an end in themselves.  The goal is ministry for the glory of God.  Currently God is doing a work in our midst.  It is not everything we long to see, but people are coming to Jesus.  Lives are being changed.  There is unity.  In January our Christian Education ministries are being rescheduled and changed so as to better reach our community.  We are planning elective “point of need” classes to be points of entry for those that do not know our Lord.  (Such as:  grief recovery, divorce recovery, living as blended families, and a special needs class.) Our Bible Quiz ministry is doing well and we, God willing, will soon have Junior Bible Quiz up and running.

 Please pray that God will get the glory here, and that we will be His hand extended.  Ellsworth is presently in serious trouble with teen deaths.  We do not have the funds to hire additional staff that could develop a youth program, and we are not reaching this age group as we should.  We covet your prayers.  We need a move of God!

 As far as buildings, our C.E. building is a temporary classroom building that we moved on site.  It is old, it has no foundation, and we need to replace it.  Now, if you have an RV…and would like to be an angel in disguise…we have a hook-up for your RV and a spot to add a C.E. building…you could help us reach people for Jesus.

 

Blessings!

 

---Pastor Burton Lowry

 

Our New Land

May 2001

We faced a dilemma for years in how to expand upon our existing site. Ultimately, God led us to seek relocation. We went looking for about ten acres of land. We had a possibility of getting a piece of land on the main highway. That land normally sells for about $150,000 per acre. Our people were not in favor of it—even for a bargain--as the road is too dangerous for traffic to turn across.

As pastor, I was initially disappointed—shouldn’t everyone be on the main road? Further, to even think of building was painful to me—years before I had sat on a church board that had much grief in a building project. I had said, "I will never be involved in another church building project!"

It is amazing how the Lord led us! What he had in store for us was "greater than we could ask or think". God led us to a very knowledgeable commercial broker. Fred showed my wife, Sharon, and me land for sale--pieces that were listed for sale—and some that weren’t listed. We rejected one spot immediately due to the apparent access problem. We didn’t like anything. Nothing clicked. Later, a board member wanted to see all the potential sites. It was with reluctance that I showed him the "problem" site—telling him basically, "we don’t want it". He bailed off into the woods to look at it. (Please understand that getting in there was no easy task and I was wet and cold from tromping elsewhere.) However, after some considerable effort of walking behind him we got into the site—we were stunned! It was incredible!

A tangible peace from God settled upon us. As the rest of the board saw the land—they felt this was the piece, too. Our property trustee was opposed to moving—until he got on the site! When it came time for the church body to vote—the vote was unanimous. One man later shared that all day he prepared to vote "no". However, just before the vote the Spirit of God spoke to him, "Do you trust me?". He voted "yes".

It had taken nearly a year in negotiations and research, but we finally signed a contract on 120 acres of beautiful land. There are about twenty "build able" acres of upland for the church site, and some other areas of upland. There is about a mile of the south side of Card Brook, and beautiful freshwater marsh full of wildlife. This piece is located at the center of activity in Hancock County, very near the "triangle" of the Coast Highway and Bar Harbor Road. Yet, it is off of the main traffic area, and very peaceful. We were approved (prior to purchase) to put a sign along the main highway to direct people to our entrance.

We are planning phased development for the site. We will begin with a multi-purpose building that will expand (phase two), a sanctuary (phase three) that will double in size (phase four). That is, future expansion will be planned so that as we grow we will not be wondering just how it can be done.

Presently, our entrance road is partially in and we should soon have a map completed that will show wetland borders and topography. This map is needed so that the architect can plan the development. When the road is completed it will give much easier access to beautiful Card Brook. We will develop the old logging roads into trails and put in benches and picnic tables. If you would like to see the area, please call. There is more to share, please see "The Expansion of a Vision".

God bless!

 

Pastor Burton Lowry

Senior Pastor