Construction Update #1

On February 11th, 2024, our congregation gathered to vote on whether to proceed with the project of building a new church building. This pivotal moment was preceded with nearly a year of discussion and deliberation between our Elders, where they weighed the potential benefit and risks of this undertaking.
 
During these discussions, Ruvim Cheptea focused on securing the required approvals from the city. His hard work played a key role in determining whether building a new church on our property was even possible.
 
Once this initial information was gathered, it was presented to our congregation. The church collectively agreed that of the members present, more than 75% needed to be in support of moving forward with the build. The votes were cast, with the majority in favor of this decision. It was a long path that led us to this decision, and we pray that God continues to guide us and help us correctly navigate this new building project. 

Following the vote, a dedicated team was selected by the elders to head the new building project. This group of individuals, united by their shared faith and commitment to the church, will work tirelessly to ensure that the new building meets the evolving needs of our growing congregation.
 
The primary goal is to create a space that not only accommodates our growth and spiritual gatherings but also creates opportunities for ministry and outreach. Recognizing the limitations of our current building, the team will work with the congregation to design a facility that enables us to spread the Word of God more effectively and provide a wider range of services to our community.

Ruvim Cheptea, project leader, works directly with the contracting company, architects, and engineers. He keeps in touch with the elders to share updates, gets feedback from the congregation, and handles any other issues that might arise.

Andrey Tsybikov, one of our newly-appointed deacons, serves as the main communication link between the elders and the team. He keeps the elders updated on progress and conveys their input to the team.
Alex Kolychev is overseeing the design coordination for the new building. With countless decisions to be made—ranging from selecting the paint color for the walls to choosing the right structural materials for the foundation—Alex's responsibility is to ensure the building is not only visually appealing but also functional and practical for ministry use.
Rudolf Truderung is responsible for overseeing finances and accounting. His role involves carefully managing both current and projected expenses, ensuring that the funds entrusted to this project are used responsibly and wisely.
Dmitriy Kostenko leads media and information distribution, ensuring the congregation is fully informed about all matters related to the construction project. Given the importance of this project, it's essential that the congregation stays updated on important decisions and significant progress.

From left to right: Dmitriy Kostenko, Andrey Tsybikov, Alex Kolychev, Ruvim Cheptea, Rudolf Truderung

We want to sincerely thank everyone who prayed about the church's decision. We recognize that we could not have moved forward with the new building project without the congregation's support, and we truly believe that God has revealed this as the next step for our church.
 
We ask that you continue to pray earnestly for God's blessing and guidance as we work through the challenges of constructing a new building on the property.
 
Blessings.