A Letter from our Pastor

Dear Church Family,

I am excited to share with you a project that has been a long time in the making. For many years, we have talked about updating Hunter Hall, the building at the back of our campus that houses the children’s area and our adult Sunday School classrooms. After months of deliberation with a planning committee of devoted church members and talented architects at Newman Marchive Inc., we are ready to present to you a plan for the remodel and revitalization of Hunter Hall.

In the proposed project, we are addressing several critical issues. First, our children's area is outdated, inaccessible, and difficult to keep secure. A family visiting several churches in our city might conclude we place a low priority on ministry with children—when nothing is further from the truth! A second important aspect of this project is creating a central, welcoming area to receive campus visitors and connect them to our faith community. This includes renovating adult Bible study classrooms. Finally, we are adding a covered drop-off and improved handicap accessibility near our Sanctuary. This is a big project, but our church has a history of bold steps of faith.

When our church moved from our downtown location to our beautiful thirteen acres on Ockley Drive, we took a massive step of faith. The congregation left behind a treasured history of sacred spaces and holy moments to follow God's call for a fresh start. I marvel at the faith and boldness embodied in that step. Every Sunday when we gather, surrounded by beauty, we benefit from the sacrifices made by that generation. Every bride and groom who repeat their vows on that platform, benefits. Every new believer who goes under the waters of baptism, benefits. Every child who wiggles during worship while they hear songs of faith and the Word of God, benefits. The church members of that generation surely had other options for their resources: personal expenses, investment accounts, college funds, and all kinds of charitable causes. They chose to invest in our church as a place where generations would have new encounters with God.

Every generation faces its own challenges and calls to faith. I believe such a time is upon us. May we, just like the saints who came before us, step forward in bold faith.

Dr. Jeff Raines, Pastor