Over the past few years we have been extremely blessed here at Mt. Pleasant. We have seen both physical and spiritual growth that has led to professions of faith and fruit being produced in the lives of our members. Along with this growth comes challenges and opportunities. The Family Life Center Planning & Building Team was officially nominated into office in the fall of 2010. It has been the responsibility of the FLC Team to address the future and present needs of our congregation to ensure adequate facilities for fellowship, education and worship.
Once formed, the FLC Team immediately began evaluating our needs and formulated a survey in which the entire congregation was invited to share their thoughts and dreams as well as prioritize the needs for ministries and facilities. The survey revealed that an overwhelming majority of survey participants felt that our current facilities (fellowship hall, parking, kitchen and classrooms) were inadequate or would be deemed inadequate within the next 3-5 years.
Last spring, we continued to pray and seek God’s guidance in how we could best address the exciting growth and bright future God has in store for us at Mt. Pleasant. Pastor Chris brought to us the “Time to Build” Sermon Series and challenged us to dream big, be committed, give sacrificially, and expect a miracle. On April 17, 2011, we received a free-will offering to kick off Mt. Pleasant’s Family Life Center Fund. God overwhelmed us as we received over $113,000 during this one time Sunday Morning offering.
In May and June of 2011, various Ministry Focus Teams were formed to evaluate current needs of specific ministry areas including: worship, children’s ministry, classrooms/space, kitchen, music/dance/drama, sports outreach, finance and youth. The congregation was invited and encouraged to participate in the Focus Team of their preference. We were blessed with over 100 people who came out to support the various Ministry Focus Teams. The Ministry Focus Teams prepared reports and presented their findings to the FLC Team.
The FLC Team began a search for an architectural firm that could best meet our needs. We presented each firm with the survey results from our congregation as well the Ministry Focus Team reports which allowed the architectural firms to embrace our needs and dreams. From this, each architectural firm presented a presentation and was interviewed by the FLC Team. After many interviews, site visits, prayerful discussions, and second round interviews, the Family Life Center Team has now selected an architectural firm.
The architectural firm WKWW, Inc. of Charlotte, NC was the architectural firm of choice for our FLC project. WKWW, Inc. works almost exclusively with churches and has designed religious, educational, and recreational facilities for over 500 churches. They specialize in religious planning and design and will be available throughout our design and building process. Upon receiving a contract from WKWW, Inc, the FLC Team had the contract reviewed by a local attorney, who recommended some language changes, but overall felt completely comfortable with the contract presented.
Over the next few months, the next big step for the FLC Team will be interviewing and selecting a contractor. We currently have at least 6 contractors who have been recommended and are obtaining information from each contracting firm. WKWW will assist the FLC Team in the interview process for building contractors. Once a contractor is selected, they will work along with WKWW to develop a proposed master plan with schematic drawings for the entire congregation to view. In addition to choosing a contractor, the FLC team will be submitting information to the District Office. The District Building and Location Committee will be reviewing our finances, our fund raising plans and our plans for the building. Once the District has given approval of our plans, all the members of Mt. Pleasant will be invited to attend a Church Conference where the proposal will be discussed and voted on.
Donations continue to come in to the FLC Fund. The current balance for the FLC Fund is $147,608. The FLC Team remains committed to working closely with the congregation by keeping everyone informed. We also seek your prayers for God’s guidance in this process. Our church congregation represents the Body of Christ, and our desire is to glorify Him with our lives and in our church.
Respectfully Submitted,
Joe Hayworth
FLC Team Chairperson
