Cover Stories: In The Spotlight:
Faith & Practice: A Fresh Look East Richland: Summer Celebration 2000
 
 
 
 


 
The groundbreaking ceremony for the New Life Community Church Ministries Center in Ridgeway, VA convened on Sunday, March 5, 2000. Attendance for the occasion was 137. The celebration was begun as Pastor Terry Knighten read a proclamation stating; "As we initiate this construction today, we do so firmly convicted, that , as the Lord tarries His coming, this is truly the beginning of many generations of new beginnings."

The actual groundbreaking was preceded by a Commissioning service for the Ministries Center Building Committee. One half of the Leadership Team has agreed to intensify their efforts of prayer during the building phase, while the other half is actually involved in a more hands-on approach to the project. Pastor Terry laid hands on the Prayer Team members, and then the Prayer Team members laid hands on the building Committee as the entire congregation prayed together for the success of the project.

After the commissioning service, Pastor Terry symbolically handed the shovel to the chairman of the building committee for the actual ground breaking. Subsequently, the chairman handed the shovel to each member of the building committee in order for them to turn a shovel of ground.

Eastern Region Area Superintendent Lynn and Esther Shreve were in attendance for the ceremony and participated by turning a shovel of ground.

The New Life Ministries Center is a 12,0000 square foot facility that will include a large multipurpose room that will seat 350. Also included is a large well equipped nursery, rest rooms, space for Junior Church activities, kitchen area, offices and workroom, and a large balcony that will house the audio/video equipment. The balcony will convert into several useful rooms at a later time. Parking areas are strategically placed around the perimeter of the building on a designated tract of the 16-acre New Life properties.

Submitted by Terry Knighten,
Pastor of New Life