Introductory Remarks
Greetings Brothers and Sisters, on behalf of the Elder Board and Pastors, I have an important announcement to make regarding our building project and vision of a new worship facility to enlarge our future ministry. By mid July, the Building Committee became aware of a unique opportunity. This opportunity could possibly bring us a giant leap closer to our desired goal of a new worship facility with significant cost and time savings.
The Opportunity
Brothers and sisters, may be you are aware of the judicial sale of the Victory Christian Center, a large church located on 11520 Ellerslie Road. Various TV and Edmonton Journal articles have reported the news of the financial trouble of this church. We are truly sad to hear the church will have to move, together with their daycare, elementary school, and high school.
Judicial sale means the property sales will be handled by the court through a bidding process. The court will sell the property to the successful bidder. The asking price is $14 millions, including land and buildings on the site.
The site is 20 acres of land, half of which is presently developed. The church building is almost 22,600 sq ft, with one sanctuary of 1250 capacity. Next to the main building resides a school made up of portables with a size of 21,500 sq ft. There are a couple of sports fields on the site.
Initial Assessment of This Opportunity
We visited the site with HAI architect and found that with the addition of another worship centre/gym, one kitchen and several washrooms, it would meet all our facility requirements. The result of this initial assessment is that we think it may be possible for us to move in this facility in approximately one year's time. The Building Committee thought that we can pursue this opportunity further by consulting with our District Office and the Elder Board. When consulted, our District Office's feedback was positive. They are aware of this opportunity and they also had a tour of the site and the buildings. They find this to be a prime location for of a church. The District also expressed their support if we would pursue this opportunity.
The Building Committee made a presentation of this opportunity to the Elder Board. The Elder Board has a desire to both fulfill the mission and mandate of our church's vision for the future and at the same time be faithful stewards of the funds entrusted to us. After much prayer, the Elder Board is unanimously favorable towards investigating this opportunity as a possible site for our future church.
Having said this, we are deeply aware that this would mean a shift of location towards the South. Therefore we desperately desire your fervent prayer in order to discern God's will for our united future. We also seek your comments and thoughts regarding the location and suitability of this facility.
The Process
Obviously, this brief announcement cannot answer the many questions and concerns you are no doubt now asking. Therefore we are organizing two Town Hall meetings next Sunday on August 26th to discuss the details of this opportunity. We invite everyone to attend one of the meetings.
- MMC and CMC, at 11am to 12:30pm in the basement sanctuary
- EMC and JMC, at 12:45 pm to 2pm in the main floor sanctuary
At the end of both Town Hall meetings, there will be comment cards for you to fill in regarding your thoughts on this opportunity.
- August 28th Tuesday, a Tour of the Site at 7:30 pm. This will take about an hour including a prayer walk around the campus lead by our Pastors. Comment cards will also be provided.
The judicial sale is open to bid on or before September 10th, 2012. If we decide to offer a bid and are successful, there still remains a 30 days period of "due diligence" for inspection and studies. If everything checks out well, we will then call a GMM for a vote to pay for the successful bid. Thus, the 30 days allows that even if a bid is made and accepted, no moneys can or will be paid unless we first have both membership and District Office approval.
What Can We Do?
- Pray for this opportunity
- Attend the Town Hall Meeting next Sunday, August 26 to the language group of your preference.
- Participate at the Site Visit on Tuesday August 28th at 7:30 p.m. Victory Christian Centre, 11520 Ellerslie Road
We need your comments
Please provide us with your comments and thoughts and questions you want us to consider and answer about this opportunity. Comment cards will be available at the Town Hall meeting and at the site visit.
Copies of this announcement are available today at the welcome centre following the service today.
Thank you and may God bless you.
"Bid for Victory Christian Centre" Comment Card
(please use extra sheets for more comments )
1. What are your thoughts and opinions about this opportunity?
2. What are your questions about this opportunity?
Signed by:_____________________________________
Please return to our pastors or elders by Sept. 2, 2012.
Elder David Yip, Chairman of the Building Committee
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