Building News Update

Q: Have we chosen an architect?
A: After many interviews, conversations, and prayers, we have decided to use Progressive A & E as our architectural partner for this project. We are confident they carry the expertise, resources, creativity, environmental sensitivity needed, and they understand what we are looking for in a facility design. Among the many great highlights of their partnership is a highly collaborative process which will bring in a wide variety of voices from Crossroads. You can check out their website at www.progressiveae.com. We are sure you will be pleased.

Q: Are we going to sell the current building?
A: We have listed the property with a real estate agent (Andy Frentz) of Remax Associates. This also was decided after much conversation and consideration. One of the unique opportunities Andy has offered our church is large incentives if anyone in the congregation brings the purchaser. This could result in Crossroads saving thousands of dollars which can go directly into the new facilities. What a great network we have in place simply from the hundreds of people that call Crossroads home. Be sure to spread the word and keep your ears open.

Q: When will the financial campaign begin?
A: Fortunately, we have progressed in a way that has not forced us to be insensitive to the financial realities many people in our church are struggling with. Though the economic environment has been difficult, we have continued to move forward with the things we can (prayer, planning and preparation) while slowing the campaign to adjust to this season. The eldership team continues to pray and as soon as God gives a green light, we will present the financial opportunities at hand. Some have already been able to begin giving to the project which is laying a great foundation for the upcoming campaign.

Q: What will happen to all of the people who count on the food pantry at the Marshall location?
A: One thing that is a driving passion around Crossroads is assisting those in need; not only to find God, but also to find help in times of need. One of the ways we have provided that for years now is through the Bread of Life Food Pantry. Our church (as well as our food pantry) is known for its innovative and creative thinking. This move simply provides another opportunity for us to think outside the box while addressing serious needs. Our intent is to take any challenge we are facing and actually improve what we already put our hands to. We are confident that those we service will find this new season for Crossroads an even greater blessing to their life than previous seasons. Whether the concern is location, storage, distribution, environment for prayer and encouragement, etc. we can all look forward to an even better ministry platform than ever.

Building Input

Angel said...

I trust that the pastoral staff already has a vision of what the new facilities would ideally look like plans that would be more beneficial than our current building, but will there be an opportunity for input from the rest of us about what we would like to see at the new site? (e.g. a scene shop for the arts team/master builders to work in w/a drain in the floor and a sink in the room)

Response . . .
Great question. As we approach different phases of the project we will be gathering groups of people, like yourself, who serve in various ministries and find out how we can help make the ways you serve Christ and His Church better. Thanks for all you do to reach people for eternity!

Quick Building News Update

Things are steadily moving forward concerning the new building project. The development team has been busy interviewing architectural firms and realtors in order to begin the design process and properly market the current facility. There is a lot of ground work that must be done to assure a successful project. Please pray that all will continue to fall into place as we move forward. Also, ask for God's wisdom for our Eldership team as they make decisions that will have an eternal impact on future generations.

God is with us,

Scott & Clare and the Elders

When and how can I start giving to the project?

As the site plans and architectural renderings get to the point where we can present them to the CCM family, we will "officially" kick off the campaign. At that time we will present financial goals, projected costs and the scope of the plan. However, some folks have already begun to give to the vision. All you need to do is mark "new building" on your check or envelope and it will be directed to the new facility. You can drop it in the Sunday offering or mail it to the CCM office.* Some feel the sooner they begin to give, the more opportunities will come for generosity.

*14701 US Highway 27 North
Marshall, MI 49068

Since missions are such an important part of the church, how does a new building location improve our ministry opportunities?

Missions are a huge part of our church and the primary part of our mission is to reach lost people. We are thrilled about the way this will expand all of what we do. Then as the church continues to grow in strength and numbers we will be able to reach our mission field locally and globally more than ever before!!

Acts 1:8 NKJV But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

The "Why Move" Question

What is the best response to questions regarding why we are re-locating? It seems like the church has a lot of land now. So, why can't we just build a new building at the current location? I don't see why the church really needs to move and spend the money to move. There are so many un-reached people right here. Battle Creek already has several big churches. No matter where you are, you're a regional church.

These are great questions! We are relocating to continue to live into the dream that God has given us as a church. From the very beginning we have been saying, "Yes," to God with every opportunity he has given us. In February 2007 God began to speak to Scott and Clare about moving forward. They brought these thoughts to their pastor/coach David Loveless and other spiritual mothers and fathers that Clare and Scott rely on to pray with them in these moments. After a clear word from our leaders we began to pray with the pastoral staff and continued to find God’s moving us forward in our hearts. A possible location in B.C. came up and the leadership team of CCM fasted for 52 days for the will of God. The answer was clear to keep watching for God’s provision.

The Elders and Pastors were presented with many opportunities over the last year and a half. None of them had God-tracks until the offer of a piece of property listed at 1.2 million dollars was offered to the church for $500,000 followed by the gifts of over $315,000 dollars before we ever announced it or took up a single offering.

It will not be any more expensive to move to a new location because we were already in the planning stages of a sizable addition to accommodate the needs of the Crossroads family.

We are a regional church and this new location puts us in the center of the regional families address list. Location does matter. Though we believe we have a good location now, it isn’t optimal in trying to reach this region. It really isn’t about how many churches in Battle Creek there are. There are over 30 churches in Marshall for a city of 7200 people. We are next door to two very active churches. We’re not trying to reach people who are churched, we are trying to reach thousands of people who don’t know Jesus. The I-94 site gives us visibility for the people who are not even thinking about church but need to. It will truly be a "city set on a hill" location.

What will you do if you sell the present building before the new building is ready?

We have already begun to look in to facilities for use on an interim basis. However the best case scenario would be for us to rent the Crossroads facility from whoever purchases it until the new building is completed. Pray for God’s best case scenario!