Well, the building plans have finally arrived and as it turns out the architect was not delayed in sending them, instead they went to the wrong address.
I was, to say the least, excited to finally get a chance to view what Central Kentucky Design had done with the sketches I had given them. The lay-out of the floor plan was very close to what I had envisioned it being. The only surprise was that the building, in overall size, turned out to be much larger than what we had anticipated. We had expected the facility to be able to meet our needs with about 12,000 sq. ft. of floor space. Instead it looks like it could possibly take close to 16,000 sq. ft. We intend to submit a couple of re-draw ideas to CKD within the next couple of weeks and ultimately we should know much more closer to January as to exactly how many square feet the project is going to require. A big question for us right now is how many seats we want the sanctuary to hold. We had originally requested a design for 600-700 seats, but we are now considering an auditorium that could handle 1,000 seats. I am actively seeking the Lord's guidance in this regard and I pray you will join me and the Leadership Team in our quest for His will.
Also, we do not have any concrete figures but a rough projected cost for the 16,000 sq. ft version of the facility is expected to be around 1.3 million dollars.
That's all I have for now. I hope to have an in-depth meeting with the construction company during the second week of December. Until then, continue to pray for the impartation of heavenly wisdom upon HPC's Leadership Team.
FYI: Mandy and I will be away to celebrate Thanksgiving, as well as, our 8th Anniversary during November 28-December 4. Aaron will be preaching this Sunday AM at both 9am & 11am. Cya Soon!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
RED ALERT!
Five years ago we launched the concept of Hallelujah Night (a Christian alternative to Halloween) at HPC. I remember being ecstatic that 8 to 10 cars showed up to participate. So much so, that I decided it was a horrible idea and we should not ever attempt to schedule it again! Thankfully, Junior Holmes (R.I.P.) persuaded me to give it another try because he believed it had the potential to someday effectively reach our community.
Now in its fifth year the crowds at Hallulejah Night have become staggering! During this year's October 31st weekend we actually saw overflow crowds show up for trunks full of treats, hayrides, hot dog and marshmallow roasts and fellowship! I must admit, however, that I struggled to enjoy the night because I was perplexed by a barage of concerns. My biggest concern--for those of you who saw me literally running from one side of the property to the other while handling our traffic jam--was where are we going to put all of these people?
I remember, during one of my laps around the building to communicate to our parking staff new directions, literally thinking to myself, "This is a RED ALERT situation!" Later that night the Holy Spirit solidified that thought with a resounding confirmation that it was time to finally launch the vision the Leadership Team had been holding for several weeks. As a result, with butterflies in my stomach I walked to the pulpit Sunday AM and tearfully shared with you a God-inspired vision to stick a shovel in the ground and prepare a threshing floor with RED ALERT fervancy.
A threshing floor is a place where the harvest is processed. In spiritual terms it is a place where converts are made into disciples. Every week hundreds of people come to 3515 West Hwy. 80 and gather on a hillside (nestled between a cow pasture and a hay field, I might add) to engage in vibrant worship and be discipled by uncompromised preaching from a real-life perspective. The end result of this supernatural phenomenon is that our current facilities are maxed out!
We are currently offering 3 Sunday services. Each of these gatherings is above 80% attendance in regards to sanctuary capacity. (KidLaunch is actually well beyond 80% as children are literally overflowing out of their seats and into the floor!) We are considering the possibility of offering a fourth weekend service either on Sundays @ 12:30pm or Saturdays @ 5pm but this will not effectively or efficiently serve as a long-term fix.
We have a RED ALERT! situation in regards to processing the harvest! Therefore a new threshing floor is required. The vision God has given us is to break ground on Easter Sunday 2009 for a sanctuary about three times the size of the one we presently have.
We are currently waiting on the architects, contractors, engineers and state building inspectors to give us final approval regarding what we can and can not do on our property and budget. This process will take about six months to work through, so in the interim we are inviting all who would like to join themselves to this RED ALERT! vision to financially give as the Holy Spirit leads.
We have currently received $60,000 in pledges to be received between now and Easter. The HPC family needs to raise $100,000 (above regular tithes and offerings) in this time-period so we are well on our way and I sincerely appreciate your sacrificial faithfulness. I ask you to keep in mind as we move forward that we are not asking anyone to give everything but we are presenting the opportunity for everyone to give something...
Ex 25:1-2, 8
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary... KJV
Now in its fifth year the crowds at Hallulejah Night have become staggering! During this year's October 31st weekend we actually saw overflow crowds show up for trunks full of treats, hayrides, hot dog and marshmallow roasts and fellowship! I must admit, however, that I struggled to enjoy the night because I was perplexed by a barage of concerns. My biggest concern--for those of you who saw me literally running from one side of the property to the other while handling our traffic jam--was where are we going to put all of these people?
I remember, during one of my laps around the building to communicate to our parking staff new directions, literally thinking to myself, "This is a RED ALERT situation!" Later that night the Holy Spirit solidified that thought with a resounding confirmation that it was time to finally launch the vision the Leadership Team had been holding for several weeks. As a result, with butterflies in my stomach I walked to the pulpit Sunday AM and tearfully shared with you a God-inspired vision to stick a shovel in the ground and prepare a threshing floor with RED ALERT fervancy.
A threshing floor is a place where the harvest is processed. In spiritual terms it is a place where converts are made into disciples. Every week hundreds of people come to 3515 West Hwy. 80 and gather on a hillside (nestled between a cow pasture and a hay field, I might add) to engage in vibrant worship and be discipled by uncompromised preaching from a real-life perspective. The end result of this supernatural phenomenon is that our current facilities are maxed out!
We are currently offering 3 Sunday services. Each of these gatherings is above 80% attendance in regards to sanctuary capacity. (KidLaunch is actually well beyond 80% as children are literally overflowing out of their seats and into the floor!) We are considering the possibility of offering a fourth weekend service either on Sundays @ 12:30pm or Saturdays @ 5pm but this will not effectively or efficiently serve as a long-term fix.
We have a RED ALERT! situation in regards to processing the harvest! Therefore a new threshing floor is required. The vision God has given us is to break ground on Easter Sunday 2009 for a sanctuary about three times the size of the one we presently have.
We are currently waiting on the architects, contractors, engineers and state building inspectors to give us final approval regarding what we can and can not do on our property and budget. This process will take about six months to work through, so in the interim we are inviting all who would like to join themselves to this RED ALERT! vision to financially give as the Holy Spirit leads.
We have currently received $60,000 in pledges to be received between now and Easter. The HPC family needs to raise $100,000 (above regular tithes and offerings) in this time-period so we are well on our way and I sincerely appreciate your sacrificial faithfulness. I ask you to keep in mind as we move forward that we are not asking anyone to give everything but we are presenting the opportunity for everyone to give something...
Ex 25:1-2, 8
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. 8 And let them make me a sanctuary... KJV
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day
Today, regardless of how big of an inconvenience it may be to you--VOTE! And when you do visit the polls--Vote for Values!
There is perhaps no greater hypocrisy than the sin of silence, so speak up! Speak loud. Let your voice be heard as you vote for the candidates who best represent the values God has placed in your heart.
By the way, I do have one departing question. What would you say to someone who says, "My vote is just one among millions and therefore I'm not going to vote."?
Click the comment link and let me hear your thoughts...
There is perhaps no greater hypocrisy than the sin of silence, so speak up! Speak loud. Let your voice be heard as you vote for the candidates who best represent the values God has placed in your heart.
By the way, I do have one departing question. What would you say to someone who says, "My vote is just one among millions and therefore I'm not going to vote."?
Click the comment link and let me hear your thoughts...
The Vision is Launched!!!
I am yet to know what to say! My vocabulary is simpy too inadequate...
The outpouring of financial support you provided Sunday on behalf of the vision for a new worship and ministry facility was absolutely phenomenal. As you know, my response was to simply fall to the floor and weep. I still find myself in that state of response... God is so amazing! Thank you for your gracious giving!
Many of you have asked about making online contributions to the RED ALERT! Building Fund. It is now available through PayPal. It is safe and secure if you would like to use this means for continued giving.
Click Here to Contribute...
Thanks again for being such an incredible fellowship of believers! You are truly providing provision for the vision!
The outpouring of financial support you provided Sunday on behalf of the vision for a new worship and ministry facility was absolutely phenomenal. As you know, my response was to simply fall to the floor and weep. I still find myself in that state of response... God is so amazing! Thank you for your gracious giving!
Many of you have asked about making online contributions to the RED ALERT! Building Fund. It is now available through PayPal. It is safe and secure if you would like to use this means for continued giving.
Click Here to Contribute...
Thanks again for being such an incredible fellowship of believers! You are truly providing provision for the vision!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Don't Miss It!
Just a heads up that Sunday AM services will be very significant for Higher Praise Church! Don't miss it! New vision will be launched!!!
Well I Never...
Have you ever just had one of those weeks?
For the last 3 to 4 weeks I have felt an incredible peace surrounding my life. Almost as never before I have sensed the nearness of God. The warmth of His embrace. The fire of His passion for humanity. And then...
Out of nowhere. Unexpectedly. Without any warning, stuff just simply started going wrong. Small things, but going wrong nonetheless. Then, small turned big and I found myself completely distracted--almost in awe. Wrestling with the same old Charlie Brown feelings of "why me, why here, why now?"
I found myself on more than one occasion saying, "Well, I never..."
I never thought that would have happened. I never thought they would do or even say that. Well, I never...
I suppose the Hebrew children felt that way when they arrived at their so called "Promised Land" and found giants eating their grapes. Can't you just hear the Hebrew people, upon seeing the men who stood like mountains living their dream, begin to whisper to one another behind the bushes, "Well, I never..."
How often have we anticipated that on the verge of the miraculous God would just fix everything for us? Its a natural thought process. We tend to always fall prey to the ridiculous notion that simply because our Heavenly Father said we could have something there will not be any resistance when we attempt to possess it. May I insert a question? Where else did you expect the giant to be? Doesn't it make sense that the enemy would camp out right in the middle of your destiny?
The fact that you are experiencing difficulty gives testimony to the reality that God has announced you can have it. Now the enemy is just bluffing! He's putting up a good front. But in the realm of the supernatural Jesus has already wrought the victory on your behalf. Its your time and hell knows it. Thus satan has sent his biggest and baddest minions to bluff you. His idea is that you will be so intimidated that your knees will buckle. (By the way, it worked against the Israelites in the midst of their Exodus!)
We wrestle a defeated foe! By the blood of Calvary, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus we have already won!
The giants are just a smoke screen. A mere hindrance to the destiny God has set before you. Walk in the Spirit. Live with Life and Peace! Its your time for your thing, from your God!
Two years from now you may very well look at your life and say, "Well, I never..."
I never thought God had this in store for me. I never thought it would be this big! I never thought His provision would be this abundant!
Well, I never!!!
For the last 3 to 4 weeks I have felt an incredible peace surrounding my life. Almost as never before I have sensed the nearness of God. The warmth of His embrace. The fire of His passion for humanity. And then...
Out of nowhere. Unexpectedly. Without any warning, stuff just simply started going wrong. Small things, but going wrong nonetheless. Then, small turned big and I found myself completely distracted--almost in awe. Wrestling with the same old Charlie Brown feelings of "why me, why here, why now?"
I found myself on more than one occasion saying, "Well, I never..."
I never thought that would have happened. I never thought they would do or even say that. Well, I never...
I suppose the Hebrew children felt that way when they arrived at their so called "Promised Land" and found giants eating their grapes. Can't you just hear the Hebrew people, upon seeing the men who stood like mountains living their dream, begin to whisper to one another behind the bushes, "Well, I never..."
How often have we anticipated that on the verge of the miraculous God would just fix everything for us? Its a natural thought process. We tend to always fall prey to the ridiculous notion that simply because our Heavenly Father said we could have something there will not be any resistance when we attempt to possess it. May I insert a question? Where else did you expect the giant to be? Doesn't it make sense that the enemy would camp out right in the middle of your destiny?
The fact that you are experiencing difficulty gives testimony to the reality that God has announced you can have it. Now the enemy is just bluffing! He's putting up a good front. But in the realm of the supernatural Jesus has already wrought the victory on your behalf. Its your time and hell knows it. Thus satan has sent his biggest and baddest minions to bluff you. His idea is that you will be so intimidated that your knees will buckle. (By the way, it worked against the Israelites in the midst of their Exodus!)
We wrestle a defeated foe! By the blood of Calvary, the anointing of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus we have already won!
The giants are just a smoke screen. A mere hindrance to the destiny God has set before you. Walk in the Spirit. Live with Life and Peace! Its your time for your thing, from your God!
Two years from now you may very well look at your life and say, "Well, I never..."
I never thought God had this in store for me. I never thought it would be this big! I never thought His provision would be this abundant!
Well, I never!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)