Richmond Church Plant

It’s been over a year since our last web update, and though it may not look like it, a lot has been going on. We have received an official set of plans pro bono from Spectrum PC, one of the best architecture firms in Virginia. The founders are the dads of nlcf members and a few of the employees are nlcf alumni. They are the third architects we’ve worked with on the project, and apparently the charm. In addition, we have received structural analysis from three different engineers, gotten bids from half a dozen contractors, and gone through the meticulous approval process of the town.

As we’ve delved into the world of code compliance on a 60 year old building, we’ve seen our costs nearly triple from the original estimates before we signed the lease. The AC system needs to be doubled, the bathrooms need to be doubled, and the entire building needs to have a sprinkler system installed. As pricey as these items are, the place will be even better than we had anticipated and even more people can fit in it for all kinds of events from Apex to Esperanza yard sales to rock shows. With all that we’re spending, we want the place to be used heavily.

So how can you help?

I’ve been itching to swing a sledge hammer on this thing for nearly two years, but the town code insists that even the grunt work can only be done by a licensed contractor. We’re all safer that way. They know what they’re doing. Many people have wanted to volunteer to help with the work and we may do some painting and other final finishes, but that will be a while. For now, if you want to make the biggest impact on the project, plan on getting the best-paying summer job you can find and/or give generously! The major costs are for the technical things that none of us would know how to do anyway. Providing our own grunt work wouldn’t really save much money or time.

You can also pray for the costs and time to be less than expected and the finished product to be even better than expected. This building is not just for us, it’s for the campus, the town, and in a lot of ways, the world. It’s for people. It’s for God. It’s peace. It’s for reconciliation. It’s for fun! Pray for all our delay leading up to this point to finalize rapidly and in just the right way.

Thanks for being interested and check back here through the summer for more updates.

Is there general excitement for the name Jax?

Feel free to leave a comment.

Will be held at Suzanne Woodward’s house. Contact Amy for details and if you need a ride.

Sponsored by Reach, the women’s ministry of [nlcf].

Slideshow from last year’s LT with original music, in case you couldn’t tell.

Do you have a God-sized faith? Our dream is to see God expand your faith in your life to be larger than you could ever dare to ask or imagine. This ten week summer experience provides a real world setting with a focus to see God do something extraordinary in your life. At Wilmington LT you will work a full-time job, live with other LTers, hear from passionate speakers, and take part in projects that serve the community. Christ’s vision is for loving communities to change the world around them. This summer our mission is to live this out together, May 24 - Aug 2.

1. Fill out an application at gcmlt.org

2. Talk to Ryan Hartsook

Well, in January of 2007 he gave a follow-up talk to his goals talk from the year before. He shared with the congregation that he had finished the manuscript and was in talks with different potential publishers. Within 2007 he not only saw the first book get chosen to be published, but was also approached to write a second book (which is being released first), loosely based off the 4/16 tragedy at VA Tech. He has written the book, edited it, and it is now sitting in my hands in its published form. The book, “When Answers Aren’t Enough—Experiencing God as Good When Life Isn’t,” is set to release April 1st. (The first book he wrote will be released later this November!)

Many of you have wondered what it was like for us during that tragedy in April, how we as a church handled the situation and what we were feeling. This book offers insight into the experience through Matt’s perspective.

“Many books have dealt with the theological and intellectual question, ‘How can God be good when the world isn’t?’ But when tragedy strikes, and the pain passes from theoretical to personal, answers can feel hollow and empty. ‘I wasn’t looking for answers,’ Rogers says. ‘I knew the answers. I was searching for a way to experience God as good when the world around me appeared dark and hopeless.’”

Having walked through the time here, Matt’s book has been very therapeutic for me to read. I believe it will also be good for people all over the world who cried, prayed and empathized with us during the tragedy.

One particular person, who helped us walk through this tragedy was well-loved author Philip Yancey. We invited him to come in and speak the second Sunday after everything had happened. Since then he and Matt have developed a good friendship. Here’s what he had to say about the book.

“No campus pastor should have to face the questions Matt Rogers did after the shooting at his school, Virginia Tech. Then again, can any of us avoid these very questions? Tempered by tragedy, Matt explores both doubt and hope, and emerges with compassionate wisdom.”

One of the things we are hoping to do as a community is to support Matt in his writing. We are asking our church that if they would like to purchase the book, for us all to purchase it on April 1st on Amazon. This will help the book, which I believe will be able to minister to people across the world, to be noticed by booksellers.

You can go here, or you can just type in Matt Rogers at Amazon.com. We love you all and wanted to share this faith step from my friend and co-pastor with you. If you do read it, I hope it will minister to your heart, as it has mine.