Steeple & Cross Erected!

Picture of the old steeple

The right company for the job!

Chuck and Barry

New steeple delivered

Crane in position

Hoisting it heavenward

Securing it down

Barry ready for his hallowed task...lift the cross into position!

Up, up and away!

Planting the cross high for all to see!

An anticipated and expected day finally arrived!!

It had been almost four months ago that our steeple got tossed from the roof in a strong storm where tornadoes raged just about 20 minutes from here. The old one was a fiberglass unit that was laid out in our parking lot after the mighty winds.

After filing an insurance claim and contacting Campbellsville Industries from Campbellsville, Kentucky, we were well on our way in the process to getting a brand new one. After placing the order, and waiting for it to be built (out of aluminum not fiberglass!), today was the day that the steeple and cross was to be delivered and installed. What a great experience it was to see the steeple and cross hoisted into position for all of our community to see! What a blazing testimony for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!!

When Barry and Chuck got to the cross...wow!...it was a holy moment. To see Barry lifted up on that little bench with the cross in his hands...it was truly a powerful experience for me. To recognize the significance of what they were doing to help us share the message of Christ's love for all mankind...amazing. Every vehicle that passes by our church on busy 10th Street will be able to see the CROSS. We positioned it just right for passerby's to get the best view of the CROSS! Thank God for the cross! It was where Jesus Christ His Son straddled the line between heaven and hell and opened the highway for 'whosoever will' to accept God's free gifts of salvation & eternal life by faith in His name.

CFA's mission is to see lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ...through the cross. To that we have committed ourselves and will faithfully present the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and sinful generation. There is glorious HOPE in the cross!

CFA was the busy center of attention today.

• The final doors in the sanctuary wing were installed and completed!
• The stage in the fellowship hall was initiated and begun today!
• The security system guys were in today and beginning the installation of our new security alarm system.
• Of course, the steeple was erected on the highest point on our church roof (the boom crane was extended to it's highest point: 92 feet!).
• The Terminix guy was in for his visit today.
• Touch up painting was continued on certain areas of our regional worship center.
  
• Plans are in full force for the upcoming All Together Sunday and Grand Re-Opening Service on Sunday! It is going to be so awesome...I can't wait!!

We wrapped up a great day with our mid-week (we're all not so sure a Tuesday qualifies for mid-week...still very hard to get used to!!) bible study and prayer time. We studied out of Luke Chapter 7. A great time with our people fellowshipping and studying the Word!

If you live anywhere near Columbus, Indiana (that's within driving distance), please plan to join us for a wonderful celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness this coming Sunday, Sept.14th! We are expecting God to do some amazing and beyond all limits things as we gather for the Grand Re-Opening Service...plus we'll host our all-church picnic later in the day as well!

Have a blessed night...talk to you again tomorrow!

Love to all.

Back home @ CFA!

Praise God for a great service back home today!

That's right, today was the Sunday we all gathered together back home for the first time since the flood of '08. There was a tremendous electrifying excitement among our congregation and community this morning. I was thrilled to have many of my immediate church neighbors in service too, plus lots of other invited guests. God was with us. God was fighting for us. God had indeed blessed us as we set our minds to worship Him!

We had set up all the chairs we had the past couple of days. Knowing the amount of chairs we had I had challenged, or maybe better yet invited, our people to bring their lawn chairs if they wanted to. Would you believe many people took me up on it? We had sports chairs and lawn chairs set up in our open sanctuary. Don't forget that our pews will still be several weeks before installation, but that didn't stop us from coming home. It was a great day! Thanks Lord for meeting with us today and unifying our church with a NEW FOCUS!

The message today centered on moving from this historic point with a new FOCUS for ministry and in the receiving and welcoming of guests that visit our church. God directed our hearts to Romans 12 and challenged us with several specific points for us to remember. It's all about people. Let's not get lost in the details that we forget our FOCUS of why the church is here in the first place. Our vision: To transform lives through the power of Jesus Christ. Period!

I've included some updated pictures of our progress in the sanctuary wing. We've come a long way from that fateful day on June 7th, 2008. Thanks Lord for everything you've done to lead us through the wilderness back home to CFA. We intend to have a NEW FOCUS for ministry in our regional worship center.

Looking forward to a great week. Preparations will continue full speed ahead for next Sunday's ALL TOGETHER SUNDAY where we will be having our Grand Re-Opening Service. We are expecting a huge crowd! Lots of special surprises and lots of special guests. That means we gotta find some more seats this week!

Love to all!

Soccer Saturday

Great day on Saturday!

Started the day early with a trip up to Greenwood to pick up an item for our church. It is our first service back @ CFA and we are trying to make it a special one for our church family. They will be very pleased and surprised by how beautiful and attractive everything is now...compared to the days after the flood! Wow...what an amazing makeover.

Drove back in time to watch some games and capture some pics of my two kids playing soccer. Today was the start of a 6 week run for their rec games. Trenton enjoyed getting back on the field again...he's missed it since he's been so busy working. Ashlyn has been placed with girls several years older than her. But she held her own against the big girls!

Worked at the church most of the day getting things ready for tomorrow. My wife, plus Kevin, Martha and David, all pitched in to get things ready for our first service back. Lots of work to get everything in position for our first service.

Don't forget to pray for us!

If you can, join us back @ 10th & Iowa Streets @ 10 am sharp...why not even get there early for a good seat!

Love to all!

Passionate Prayers Prayed

Tonight was our 1st prayer meeting back in the sanctuary since the Flood of '08...three months ago!

"May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place." (2 Chron.6:20)

What a great feeling to pray prayers that the Father hears and responds to...right from your own sanctuary (yes, even though He responds to any one, praying anywhere!!). We've reached the 3-month mark since the flood waters of Haw Creek rose to historic proportions and flooded about every inch of our ministry center. We have just concluded the renovations for the first part of our center -- the sanctuary wing! This Sunday is our first worship service back home since that time. Then the following Sunday is our ALL TOGETHER SUNDAY with lots of surprises prepared for this celebratory day. God has been good through all the ups and downs of this wild faith ride journey!! Thanks Lord for your amazing goodness extended towards us each and every day!

Following the prayer meeting, we all put our hands to the tasks of finalizing last minute sanctuary chair set-up (pews don't arrive for another couple of weeks, so we'll use the chairs), sanctuary clean-up, carpet waste removal, vacuuming, etc., etc. Every one is so excited to see how everything has come together and provides us with the opportunity to finally get back home on Sundays to 10th & Iowa Streets...our regional worship center.

Now that didn't come without a lot of hard work from a host of people, plus a determination to move each project along to completion:

• Carpet job is for the most part done...even though there are a few areas that need attention. Last night I stayed with the installers until 11 pm...making sure they finished up plenty of their assignments. They were back again today to finish the cove base and several other areas.
• The Information Center was completely refinished and delivered on Thursday. The only problem was that it was completely disassembled. Happy to have Monty and Pastor Joel help me put it back together! It really does look sharp...you'll just have to wait to see it on Sunday (no pics until after Sunday's service!).
• The new wood doors are being installed one by one. Did you know that we have 22 wood doors in the sanctuary wing? Hard to believe that there are that many doors! The contractors are even coming in on Saturday to try and finish up this project before Sunday...they will give it their best!
• Bathroom accessories have been installed for use on Sunday and beyond.
• The city inspector came today and gave us an "approved for occupancy" pass! PTL!!
• Platform is ready for worship and the Word! Pulpit is back in position...yeah!!
• Pastor Joel picked up a communion set from our borrowed church, since we have lost or misplaced ours since the flood.
  

Join me in praying for God to move mightily in our first service back home. We got a good start on those prayers tonight.

If you are in the area, please come and join us in giving praise to the Lord God for all that He has done for Columbus First Assembly, and our community.

Blessings "Beyond All Limits!"

Love to all.

Crunch Time!

We are moving into that crucial crunch time zone!

Around Columbus First Assembly there is a buzz of excitement as we prepare to move back into our Regional Worship Center. Grant it, it is only the sanctuary, foyer, bathrooms and offices...but it is about coming home. Everybody loves to go home and we are going home this coming Sunday to 10th and Iowa Streets. September 7th is a big day for our church. We will be able to worship in our home base sanctuary for the first time in three months.

The date we were flooded out of our church ministry facilities was June 7, 2008. That day will stand out forever in our church history books, but it was also the date that set our church on a new course. When you go through a tragedy or a devastation, you ultimately must change and adapt. Your heart becomes softened and is touched by the grace of God...but you must however allow Him to work in your heart and life. With God's help and strength we have seen His hand mold us into a new church. We have been softened these past 3 months and we will remain pliable in the future as we allow God to have His way with us! Lord, whatever your plan and purpose for our church is that's what we want to follow!

The last several days have seen much progress. Even on Labor Day there was action going on in the sanctuary. More carpet has gone down. New wood doors are being installed. Sound equipment is being mixed properly. Worship instruments are being brought back to our platform. The fine tuning touches are being conducted. Offices are getting settled. The roof is being readied for our new steeple which is set to be installed next week. Landscaping is being worked on. We are very anxious to get back home.

We continue to believe that God will provide for the exorbitant costs associated with the rebuilding of our regional worship center. We are trusting Him to provide the funds to rebuild DEBT FREE! If you can help in any way let me encourage you to send your vote of support by way of a financial contribution to our church's Flood Fund. You may use the online giving feature on our church website:

www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Thanks in advance of your love and compassion to get our church back totally on our feet. We still must rebuild and restore the other 2/3 of our ministry center but are waiting on architectural plans and approval. Please pray for favor for those working in these areas and also for the remaining funds to come in. We trust in our Omnipotent and Omniscient God to work the details out and release the necessary provisions.

Thanks for your love, prayers and support. If you are ever in the area, please come and join us for a service in our church at 10th and Iowa Streets in Columbus, Indiana. You are always welcome and wanted here!!

Looking up and holding on to His powerful and mighty arm of righteousness!

Love to all!

Busy weekend!

Pastor's office

New phone system

Temporary bookshelves

Staff training session on the new phone system

Recently stripped and waxed floors

Sharp and shiny

Working out at the Indians ballgame

Borrowed church location...

Our friends at Memorial Baptist Church!

Lots going on this Labor Day weekend!

Sorry I've missed a couple of nights posting my blog entries but the schedule has been full. Friday was a catch-up day in the office with getting better acclimated to my new office surroundings. I still have much to do to get my office back completely, but I'm feeling much better about the set-up now. With a new computer, new office phones, newly donated desk, new carpet and paint...things are looking up! My staff is happy to have their donated desks and bookshelves and offices as well. Lord, thanks for all that you have done to bring us to this stage in the rebuild process! You are so good to us!

A meeting with my general contractors brought me up to speed with the architectural process. We are still 4 to 6 weeks out before all the drawings are done and approved....ugh!!! (This is taking so long to get moving on our other two buildings...Lord, more patience please!). We also received an estimate with what other projects will cost in this next phase of the rebuild. These are additional items that were added after the initial contract sum was approved. For example, the new stairwell that must be added to bring our building up to code. A meeting with my leaders was called and we discussed these estimates. So many items that need attention in our flooded out church!!

My staff met with the phone guy while I was meeting with the contractors. They learned about all the bells and whistles of our new phone communications system. Looks like it will be a great improvement and advancement over our outdated system. Thanks Lord for these blessings!

My daughter was anxious to go to the big football game between East and North so I was urged to get home quickly and drive her and Mom over to the big crosstown rivalry game. We got rained on but a good game nonetheless with East winning 35 to 3. Plus we were proud to watch our youngest son march with his East marching band. They did a super job with their band number!

Saturday I had to work at the church, then I was off to work my last Indians game up in Indianapolis for Devon's band fair share. It was a big attendance night as it was the last of the season and some 10 to 12 thousand fans streamed in the ballpark. They had our group positioned in a different concession booth, which made it more difficult for my evening. It started out slow but then things started to pick up rapidly. It was a long night at the ballpark! Glad when I finally pulled my vehicle in the driveway...man I was whooped!

Today was our 12th and last worship service in the borrowed church, at least for Sundays. Next week we will be meeting back at 10th and Iowa Streets @ 10 am for our first gathering in the sanctuary since the Flood of 2008 hit back on June 7th. Today we enjoyed a great and powerful service for those that met on Labor Day weekend!

Looking forward to getting everything ready for the influx of CFA'ers that will be coming next Sunday. Lots to do to get everything ready. Gonna be a great week!

My love to all!

We got phones!

Moving day continued today along with a couple of other good progress points.

We continued moving into our office suite this morning. All three offices are making headway as we anxiously await getting back to our personal work spaces. As for my office, I'll be somewhat stalled until the bookshelves we've ordered are custom built (thanks in large part to a generous donation for my office furniture). So I've moved a couple of the old shelves in until that time will come...once again, patience!

When I arrived the painters were back and touching up all the areas that needed it. Many of the outlet holes had been filled in because the drywallers got a little "big hole" happy! Plus, those carpet installers were pretty messy as well!

Today we received our new office phones. Remember our old phone system was in the basement that was completely destroyed. Everything was hauled out to the dumpsters. So today we saw the phone guys installing our new phones in each office, plus one that was designated for our new "Information Center," (a great added bonus...we didn't have that before!). By the way, I learned that our newly finished welcome center will be delivered the middle of next week! This will really set off our foyer space in style: "You're gonna love the way it looks - I guarantee it!" (it even sounds like a men's clothing commercial...doesn't it?).

The carpet rep was in today trying to rectify our carpet dilemma. I was made some more promises...guess I'll just have to wait and see if they can wrap up this project early next week and fulfill them!

Marcia and Jerry were outside working again on our landscaping. They have put in countless hours on our flooded out green areas. It is receiving some much-needed TLC. I wonder where Trudy has been. She has been the third member of this dynamic trio green squad! Check out their work the next time you drive by 10th & Iowa Streets.

September 14th is getting closer each day. That's the day we're gonna celebrate God's goodness with all of our guests as we move back into our regional worship center sanctuary. Everyone can't wait to gather back home. We must joyfully praise the Lord for the experiences learned in this wild ride journey of faith. Remember, I've got a lot of surprises for this special day...you'll just have to wait and witness it for yourself (no sneak previews!).

Don't forget to pray for our church, Columbus First Assembly. There is still a tremendous need of finishing our other two older buildings, plus the entire basement. First we must receive approved architectural drawings. Hoping to hear about that soon. It will be another long and painstaking process. We still lack the funds to complete the entire job...but we're trusting in God's miraculous provision. We all are believing God to help us rebuild DEBT FREE!!

You can help! Go to our website and make your online donation:

www.columbusfirstassembly.org

Thanks so much!

God bless you!