© Christ Community Church
220 Campground Road, West End, NC 910.215.8099
Mailing Address: PO Box 3307, Pinehurst, NC 28374
220 Campground Road, West End, NC 910.215.8099
Mailing Address: PO Box 3307, Pinehurst, NC 28374
| Dean's Letter |
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Dear Christ Community Church Family,
"Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29: 17 KJV
Great works of God begin with God giving His servants a vision for His work. Whether it be Moses receiving his vision to deliver the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt, or Nehemiah being called to repair the broken down walls of Jerusalem; or David, who dreamed of a worship center for all 12 tribes of Israel - great works of God begin with a great vision FROM God.
From a burden placed in the hearts of four couples in 1986, God has built a church of 350 families gathering in homes and a beautiful 10.5 acre campus on Highway 15/501. Much of this growth has occurred since 2005 when a small congregation, meeting in converted office space, determined that God had more for them.
That God-inspired resolve resulted in our congregation stepping out in faith. They called new ministry staff, sold the office building in Southern Pines, purchased 8.7 acres of land on highway 15/501, and met for two years in temporary facilities until phase one of a new campus was completed. Since the occupancy of our new campus in 2009, God has accomplished much in and through our ministries. He has grown our children's ministry exponentially, and has molded our student ministry into a mature, healthy and loving community. He has also provided several opportunities for us to minister to a growing number of military families that serve our country with great honor and distinction. Amidst all of these and more, last CHRISTMAS EVE God opened the door (and the heart of the landowner) to purchase an adjacent parcel of land - allowing for a larger campus footprint.
As that small congregation responded to the vision God gave them, God has proven Himself to be trustworthy.
It is now 2011. Most who call Christ Community Church "home" have come within the last three years. They missed those days in 2005 when the 'land search' team crowded into an SUV and drove around our community - walking parcels of land and asking God to reveal His will for CCC. Most of you are beneficiaries of the group who 'stepped out of the boat' and entered into a new experience of trusting in Christ.
In May of this year, leadership presented Vision 2015 to CCC - a document detailing our direction for the next 3-5 years of ministry. This document is the culmination of a four-month process of seeking God, gathering input from the congregation and ministry leaders, and understanding the needs of Moore County.
Vision 2015 can best be summarized as a plan that brings depth and breadth to our church. Key initiatives related to depth include:
Going deeper with others by having healthy relationships and groups.
Leaders going deeper through better training and being nurtured.
Key initiatives related to breadth include:
Expanding our facilities.
Ministry teams and task forces are undertaking various dimensions of these initiatives, one of which is a building committee in the final stage of conceptual drawings for our next phase of campus build out. They took a novel approach to their task - beginning with vision rather than needs. The drawings that reflect a 'vision driven' campus will become public in early September! The Building Committee is comprised of Fred Berkheimer and Roger Maxey - Co-Chairs, Rich Smith, Connie Harrison, David Gray, Trudy Engebretson, and John Heckethorn.
Frankly, our vision for ministry is larger than what our current facility allows. Our existing facility of 10,400 square feet is 'insufficient' for our current congregation of more than 300 families - even without considering the impact of Vision 2015. The leadership of CCC deeply believes that people in Moore County LONG to experience a healthy church--fulfilling our mission of "growing a community passionate for God and His purposes." As we have seen in our new campus, facilities are simply a means to an end. We believe a larger worship center, more children, youth, and adult space, and additional offices (currently we only have 3 office areas for the equivalent of 6 full-time staff) will provide means for us to have greater impact and influence in our community and the world.
Some of you may ask the legitimate question - with the uncertainty in our economy, is it a wise time to move forward with a building project? Several responses are:
Occupancy of expanded facilities will require a 30 month time frame!
While we can add more service times, studies show that most people prefer the nine to noon time on Sunday mornings. The current worship center seating in those time slots is limited.
Multiple worship and educational opportunities have significant emotional and physical impact upon staff.
Current building usage during the week is reaching capacity and will be significantly more congested in the foreseeable future.
For these reasons, leadership believes now is the time for us to engage in our "Making Room" campaign. The campaign focuses upon making room to go deeper with Christ, making room for others, and making physical space.
The "Making Room" team includes Tom Little - Chair, Wayne Peterson, Kathy Smith, JD Millikan, Kathy Virtue, Jeff Pickles, Kelly Mitchum, David Gray, and myself. This team is creating a series of events and experiences over the next four months that will enable us to "make room" for God to work mightily among us. These events will culminate the weekend of November 18-20. HOLD THAT DATE on your calendar.
Let's join together and "make room" for God to demonstrate His glory and His will for CCC in the months ahead.
For the King!
Dean Engebretson Senior Pastor, Christ Community Church
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