Title: Columbus, Ohio, volunteer construction project rescheduled for fall
startup
Date: September 23, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99c-60
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- New Fellowship Christian Church, Columbus, Ohio, is moving forward with plans for its first church building with help from volunteers, the Ohio region, Board of Church Extension and other Disciples of Christ groups.
The congregation will sign a building and architectural contract this week (Sept. 21-25), anticipating construction to begin this fall with completion by spring 2000. The Ohio region new church program has committed $231,000 to the New Fellowship project and will help recruit construction volunteers from Ohio congregations. Cost savings through volunteer work are expected to be more than $25,000.
Originally this venture called for constructing the congregation's first building this past summer with help from Vision Builders! Construction volunteers from Disciples churches across North America. However, final building plans to construct the original facility required modifications that delayed any further work on the project during the summer months. Most groups available to help with volunteer construction at New Fellowship were reassigned to Volunteers in Mission work projects in other areas of the country.
"Even though the build did not go as planned in the summer of 1999," said Rev. James W. Bane, Ohio associate regional pastor, "Vision Builders! gave us a different way to approach new church building projects.
"We are hoping that the manner in which Ohio congregations are assisting New Fellowship, not only with financial resources but also with labor, will give our church members a greater connection and involvement with our new communities of faith," Bane added. "This involvement can be a double blessing - to the new church as well as the established church."
Volunteer recruitment will come primarily from the Ohio region for the rescheduled building project, though some Vision Builders! Construction groups remain committed to assist New Fellowship when building permits are in hand and work begins.
Vision Builders! Construction coordinates volunteers in helping to erect church buildings with new congregations. The program is a joint partnership between New Congregation Establishment of Board of Church Extension and Volunteers in Mission (VIM) of Homeland Ministries. Doug Smith serves as volunteers coordinator.
To contact Smith, or for more information on this and other hands-on new congregation projects, contact the Vision Builders! office, 800-274-1883, c/o Board of Church Extension, PO Box 7030, Indianapolis, IN 46207.
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