Lost in Faith

Driving along Flintlock Rd south of Hwy 152 yesterday, I was reminded of the astonishing volcanic type growth that I have experienced in my world. My children have observed fields become Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Kohl’s, and ad infinitum.

In their short lives the world as they know it has changed. They know nothing of heading to Independence Center or Johnson County to shop. It is all in their backyard.

As a church starter, I was well aware of the plans that were and are being made for our area. Watching drawings become reality has been intriguing. I always wondered how the developer felt. Did it move fast or slow? Were they frustrated in the midst? Did they feel like it would never happen?

Today we meet again with Harmon Construction and Shaw Hofstra Architects to begin solidifying several project, new Early Childhood Center, Major Restroom remodel, external re-styling of the campus and a new office complex.

I am beginning to identify with the developers in our area. It is a painstakingly slow process to get a design on paper but so necessary to accomplish. This seemingly invisible process will change our world.

We live in a building built for the 80’s and it is not the most effective tool for our ministry. Children, especially young children, are a major part of our target audience. Our area is known for its schools and family friendly community so we attract a lot of young families. Our facilities for handling these infants to 3 years old are pathetic and in need of an Extreme Makeover.

This will be our first priority. Our goal: to build an innovative, mother-WOWing area for infants to 3 years old to spend a safe and nurturing hour at Shoal Creek.

Our second priority will be the complete remodeling and enlargement of the restroom complex.

Our third priority will be to re-style the external look of the building and parking lot to reflect the value of Shoal Creek. Often time visitors will enter our building and remark, “It doesn’t look the same on the outside as it does the inside.” We want to eradicate that remark!

And finally we are exploring the development of new commons areas by removing the walls in the current office complex and creating a “restaurant” type feel. This would include either removing or at least opening up the brick wall on the south of the lobby area to create a large commons area.

The offices would be moved to a new area in the building. There are several possibilities that we are exploring with the Design Build Team.

All this is to say that our world will be changing for the over the next 2 years. What we know of our campus, hopefully, will be unrecognizable when this process is done.

November 10th is the day we hope to unveil the vision of what this will look like. I hope that you are setting aside that date and will join us for a look back and forward at the future of Shoal Creek.

If you made it this far, to quote Tom Burdette, thanks for listening.

Roy

P.S . The first move you will see in the next 6 weeks will be a new permanent lit sign. Yes, no more vinyl banners!