Future Dreams

One of the great things about our new facility at 1260 Sherman Blvd. Is that we can develop it in phases. This will allow us to phase in financially and it allows us to have a place to grow in numbers. Phase 1 will give us a 120 seat worship center, office space, bathrooms, and a small fellowship area. I recently read about a church, like ours, that bought a car dealership, like us, and converted it into a church...hmmm this sounds familiar. After 2 years of raising funds and developing the property they had a grand opening and 730 people attended! Phase 1 could get too small very quickly!
Another thing that excites me about the new property is Phase 3. ..I know I skipped a phase. Phase 3 plan includes developing the far end of the building that housed the body shop. This could be a great fellowship hall and gymnasium. One thing I miss that I did in previous churches is sports outreach. I have done basketball and volleyball tournaments and leagues that brought people into connection with the church. I can’t help but look at the space we have and see opportunities for sports outreach.
Another asset of the property is the huge parking lot. Not only can it house a lot of cars...after all it was a car dealership...but this could be a great place for a highly visible Vacation Bible School. Did I mention that Ferrysburg Community Church (our mother church) wants to join us at our new facility this summer and host a VBS together? We could do that car show outreach event that many at Celebration have been dreaming about. The parking lot could be the site for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a pig roast, an outdoor worship service, a car wash...opps scratch that...Van’s car wash is right next door...a giant capture the flag event for kids. Lots of very visible possibilities in the parking lot to show the neighbors Christian fellowship.
Okay back to Phase 2. Phase 2 is developing the future worship center. Worship is the giant front door to Celebration church. Hundreds of people have come to worship with us over the past 8 years. Thousands will come in the future. Biblical, creative, seeker sensitive worship celebrations will always be the epicenter of our life as a church. It is where we do outreach and it is where we connect deeply with Christ and each other. Deep worship, deep friendships, and open arms to others will always be a hallmark of Celebration. The development of the worship center will give us sacred space that empowers us to do powerful ministry through worship.
Praise the Lord for giving us a space to do ministry that is big enough to house our dreams for doing ministry that glorifies His holy name!
Pastor Greg