Recognizing the need to expand our facilities in order to accommodate growth, in September 2004 the church appointed an ad hoc committee to study the feasibility of renovating existing space and/or constructing new space. The committee embarked on a year- long study, evaluating existing needs as well as looking to the future and how we could best position ourselves for those in our community that God continues to send our way. Completing their work in November 2005 the committee unanimously recommended that the church undertake as first priority a project to build a Family Life Center. The church unanimously embraced the recommendation.
Following a season of prayer in seeking the Lord’s direction, in February 2006 the church appointed a Building Team to move forward in developing formal plans to build the Family Life Center. Over the course of approximately 6 months (with much prayer and perseverance) the Building Team completed their initial work and presented their recommendations to construct a Family Life Center, along with proposed renovations to the existing fellowship hall and educational space. The initial cost estimate for the Family Life Center was approximately $1.2 million.
Following the decision to build, the most pressing need was for the land on which to build. In mid-2006 the Preston Edwards family made available to the church a 3 acre plot of land adjacent to our existing property. The land was subsequently purchased and dedicated in early October 2006.
Concurrent with the efforts of the Building Team the church began the process of developing a capital campaign strategy for raising the necessary funds to construct the proposed Family Life Center. The Mobilizing to Build strategy of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina was formally contracted to assist us with developing a detailed plan. Following meetings with our consultant in January 2007 the church appointed a Campaign Leadership Team and voted to officially name the campaign Arise & Build.
Arise and Build set forth the challenges for our people to be: a part of our History, a part of the Vision, and a part of the Ministry as we stepped out in Faith. Culminating with a Worship Festival in April 2007, our initial pledge campaign yielded $828,000 in pledges… to God be the glory!
During the remainder of 2007 and into the early part of 2008 the Building Team continued their efforts developing building plans. An architect was contracted and a blueprint was developed. Following church approval of the blueprint, bids were solicited from 3 commercial building contractors. Local commercial contractor Vance Construction was selected and contracted as builder of the Family Life Center.
Celebrating completion of our first year of Arise and Build, Worship Festival 2 was held in May 2008. A special ground-breaking ceremony was held as part of our celebration. Land preparation commenced in June 2008 with construction beginning in July 2008.
Although faced with the challenges of an economic downturn our peopled remained faithful in fulfilling pledge commitments. As of August 2009 approximately $710,000 or 86% of the $828,000 had been given. It was during this timeframe that the building was dried-in. Owing to economic conditions the building cost estimates were revised upward, with an additional $1,000,000 required to fully complete the project. In October 2009 the church approved a new short term campaign known as New Challenge. This six week emphasis resulted in an additional $158,000 in pledges, for a total pledge commitment of $986,000. As of October 2010, $981,000 of the $986,000 pledged has been given.
With an urgent need for additional education space, the Building Team was asked to work with our contractor and determine the feasibility of completing the project in phases. With Phase I recognized as completed with a dried-in building, the Building Team, working with our contractor proposed three additional phases to complete the building:
Phase II will consist of finishing 5 classrooms, restrooms, and HVAC. This will allow us to occupy and begin using the building. Estimated cost: $300,000.
Phase III will include completion of the second floor, providing space for our ever-growing Children and Youth Ministries.
Phase IV will see completion of the gym, a commercial kitchen and a portable stage for musical and drama presentations.