From the Church to the Community

Bethlehem Church with Ms. Lily and her new roof

This past month God has continued to stretch our dependence and faith in Him.  With the work wrapping up at the church, we are praying and praying for God to guide us to the families He wants us to serve out in the community.  Let's just say we have seen God answer our prayers in amazing ways!  He continues to lead us to family after family who continually ask us "How did you find us?"  We're so happy to respond with "It's all God. He led us to you." 

We have a team coming from PA next week to serve a homeowner who had flooding in her home.  Even though the flooding was 2-3 inches in her home, mold is now covering every part of her home including walls, ceilings, and cabinets. 

Home half gutted with mold, now needs completely gutted

Here is part of an email we received from the homeowner mentioned above: 

Thank you does not even begin to express my gratitude.  Because of you, for the first time in six months I finally can begin to believe I may actually get back in my home.  Having met with so many obstacles, you are a ray of sunshine in an otherwise bleak situation.

Will you consider serving with us and joining us as a ray of sonshine here in Columbia?  We have available dates this summer when we need volunteers to continue the rebuilding of homes and relationships.  You can email me at katie.manning@efca.org for more info.

We are excited to start the process of restoring this home, and to now have a continual presence in this neighborhood.  We get to build relationships with the family, neighbors, and cover this neighborhood in prayer.  We don't know exactly how God will use us but He's the one that led us here and we can trust Him.

The volunteers with our staff and homeowners

Our website for more info

Does God care about basements?

Dave's cousin Dan taping the basement

 "Does God care about basements?"  You know I don't know if I could find anywhere in the Bible that talks about God's heart for basements but after these past couple of months it's got me wondering.  The transformation that has taken place over the last 5 months in the basement of Riverside Community Church has been INCREDIBLE!  The number of times God has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy in the provisions He has supplied is beyond measure.

Just to name a few:

• licensed contractor who pulled the permit for us to start the work on the basement
• licensed electrician who pulled the permit which allowed us to bring in our own electricians
• churches who continue to give of their time and resources to see its restoration
• perfect timing of volunteers to install insulation, hang sheetrock, mud & tape sheetrock, paint, install drop ceiling, and start the punch list of hanging doors and putting up trim. 

So does God care about basements? Well, I'm starting to think He does but not just for the basement's sake, but for my faith and for yours.  I know for me, throughout these past couple of months of being an eyewitness to His constant provision, my faith has grown and my trust in Him continues to increase.  I pray that through the restoration of a church basement that the Body of Christ is encouraged to see that God does care for us, He loves us, and He wants us to depend on Him.

Lakewood EFC from MN

I pray too that everyone sees that if God can transform a church's basement, He can certainly transform the basements of our hearts that are in desperate need of His presence, love, and power.  He is our maker who knows our hearts and through His Son Jesus Christ reconciles our hearts to Him.  May God continue to receive glory, honor, and praise for how He is orchestrating the restoration of a church's basement that it may lead to the transformation of hearts everywhere.

"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him [Christ], and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross.." Colossians 1:19-20a

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever." 1 Chronicles 28:9

"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Stained Concrete

Framing started

Electrians start!

Insulation installed

drywall installed

mudded, taped, painted

windows, doors, drop ceiling installed

Pathway Church from Beaver Falls PA