A Place For The Point

As a young church, there are many challenges and hurdles. There are all kinds of things that we must overcome and find solutions for. We are nine weeks old, and in this pastor's opinion, doing a pretty good job at facing our challenges and creatively overcoming the challenges we face.

Perhaps the biggest question out there has been "where will we meet, where will we call home?"
From week one, we have been gathering at the former Skatarama Fun Center. This facility has given us a wonderful place to meet and get started. We have really enjoyed meeting here and using this a place for worship and ministry for the past several weeks. Due to the lack of parking and land, we have known that this was not going to be a place we could meet for long-term. The monthly lease on this building could be absorbed into our budget, but it is more than we want to put into a building that we will not own or have exclusive access to. Recently, we became aware that another church is planning on leasing the smaller side of the building for their meeting space. This church is also a new church in Frankfort, they are much smaller so the space and parking will be adequate for their needs. Ofcourse, two churches meeting in the same facility poses many problems.

We have been researching our options for our long term meeting space over the past several weeks. Our Adminstrative team and others have looked into several area schools, office buildings, warehouse space and any space that could accomodate us. We are also taking into account that we are growing and we need to plan for growth. I want you to know that more than anything else, there has been significant, focused prayer and fasting over this matter. After weeks of praying and searching, it seems that we have arrived at a facility.

This facility is located at the same intersection where the Skatarama is located. It is the former Trigg Manufacturing building. It is 15000 square feet of open, empty, clean and usable space. We have met with the owner three times and are coming to an agreeable arrangement. There are some final details that we need to confirm, so nothing has been committed yet. Along with the building there is 5+ acres of flat land that fronts 127 South. There is plenty of room for us for the forseeable future. Should we commit to this lease, this will be our home for quite some time. The owner is open to discussing a lease to own agreement. It is our belief that this is a tremendous blessing and incredible opportunity for us.

There is one major piece of work that may need to be completed in the very near future. The facility has new heating and is air-conditioned in the classrooms and offices. However, the large open warehouse space is not currently air-conditioned, though it is heated. This space is large and airy, and vented very well. The owner is willing to allow us to have air conditioning installed in the space and will reimburse our cost for this in the 2nd year. We believe this is fair and reasonable.

There is some minor work and general cleaning that will need to be done:

• Cleaning and tiling of bathrooms.
• Cleaning and carpeting of the children's area.
• Cleaning of the carpets in the lobby, classrooms and offices.
• Making and hanging a backdrop behind the stage.
• Building a stage area.
• Adding some lighting in the stage area.
• Securing areas that we will not use until they can be made safe.

To put it mildly, there is TONS of potential at this location. Speaking of location, it is perhaps the most desirable location in the city. The traffic count on highway 127 south is 52,000 cars per day! It is our belief that we can spend the next year or so making the facility comfortable, doing some work as we go and gathering here for worship, Bible study and fellowship. Then, in the 2nd year, begin some major renovations phase by phase to transform this great space into a state of the art home for The Point's minstries.

Perhaps most exciting is the tremendous space for our children and youth ministries. This building has tons of room and lots of potential.

Again, we have made no commitment at this point to take possession of this facility. We are continuing to pray and ask for God's wisdom and discernment. Having said that, it is increasingly becoming our belief that God has led us to this facility. I suppose the best way to describe this is, we believe God will bless us regardless of where we are, as long as we are a church that glorifies Him and exalts His Son Jesus Christ.

So, what are your thoughts? Do you have something to share with us regarding this decision that we have before us? Please feel free to share what your prayerful thoughts are.

Should we continue with this, we believe that our first Sunday in this facility will be as soon as April 9. As a brief review of how we are communicating about this decision, there have been several meetings with the Administrative Team, Leadership Council and others who have lots of experience with this kind of facility. We have had three open forums with the congregation and a tour of this facility last Wednesday evening.

Visit this blog often for upates. Please feel free to call me at 320-9756 with questions, comments, confirmations or concerns.

Regardless of where we gather as a church, we are being mightily blessed! Praise God!

Your Pastor,

Rick