Let’s Break Some Ground

Last Sunday was a watershed moment in the life of our church. We gathered on the construction site of our new building for a Groundbreaking Ceremony. Pictured above from left to right are German Prado (Pastor of La Hermosa), Michelle Matthews (Pastor of Kingstowne Communion), Bart Purdy (Pastor of Virginia Hills), Rodney Lusk (Franconia District Supervisor), Mark Sickles (Virginia House of Delegates), and Vicky Madden (Burke and Herbert Bank).

There were several other honored guests in attendance, including Betsy Hudson (Pastor of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church), Jody Faig (Baptist General Association of Virginia), Dean Stiles (Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis), Amanda Garber (Virginia Conference, United Methodist Church), Karen Stewart (Executive Director of Brightview Alexandria), Tom Ramirez and Slade Elkins (Elkins-Ramirez Architects), David Canfield (Bean, Kinney, & Korman Attorneys), and Glen and Regina Miller (Miller Brothers Construction).

We prayed together, read Ezra 3:10-13, read responsively, had a moment of silence for those who have gone before us, sang a song, and then busted some ground.

Of course, the ceremony was largely symbolic. Construction has not yet begun as we wait for building permits from Fairfax County. And while we have 88% of our construction costs available from the land sale, we are waiting to hear if several loan applications have been approved. Last Thursday we mailed a Capital Campaign brochure asking for pledges and donations for the project.

This is an exciting time, but also a stressful one. After 8 years of planning, strategizing, waiting, and praying, we have almost reached the starting line. And so much can still go wrong. But I believe this is God’s will for our congregation. And I believe he will get it done. Keep the faith my friends, for as it says in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it.”