Our current plan ("if God's willin' and the creek don't rise") we plan to relocate to our
new facility Feb/Mar 2009.
If you have any questions, please direct them to one of the Staff.
PRAISE GOD we're on our way!
We encourage EVERYONE to go to the property (located at the corner of Morris Road and Anderson Mill Road - just behind the strip center) walk the property and pray. We have SUCH an opportunity to reach out the community at the location, and we are SO excited. Watch for additional updates!
PRAISE GOD WE ARE NOW LANDOWNERS! Let's CELEBRATE!
and REMEMBER Sunday, September 30th
Crossing Over Pledges are due!
We are building a community where everyone is caringly connected.A community where children & youth learn God’s word in depth and apply His teaching in their lives. A community where families & marriages are healed and strengthened. We’re building a community where we reach out to the community here, near, and far. A community where we care and minister to the poor, where healing is found for broken lives, and we help individuals grow to spiritual maturity. Join with us as we give you a glimpse of the journey before us.
Over the last 21 years, the Lord has been faithful to give us clear, strategic directions whenever we have changed facilities. In 1994, after prayer & counsel, we sensed the Lord telling us to move to the Northwest. Our campaign was called, "Time To Move". We had 56 folks, made up of heads of households and singles, who committed themselves to giving generously. Within six months, we had raised over $200,000.
We are now entering our 12th year in our present location. With property taxes & continual hikes in our rent, the time has come to move to our permanent facility. The present lease will end on March 31st, 2008. We are now in the preparing and planning stages of re-locating the church.
We have a great opportunity before us. There are 8.5 acres of land located less than 3 miles from our current facility (on the other side of 183, at Anderson Mill Road & Morris Road). In our recent church-wide business meeting, the members gave unanimous approval to put the land under contract. At this very moment, the building committee is working with Noble Development with the intent of building a facility on this land. Our target date to take possession is 2008.
In order for that to happen, we are organizing a faith-building campaign called "Crossing Over". When the Israelites needed to enter their Promised Land, they had to cross the flooded Jordan first. To "cross over", we’ll need to raise $300,000 within 12 months (over and above our regular giving). The vast majority of the funds will need to be available by September 1st, 2007. How are we going to do this? "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we could ask or think, according to His power that works within us." Ephesians 3:20
The Lord has given the Austin Vineyard a mandate: to reach people who are living lives far from God, to bring them the Good News of Jesus, and to help raise them up to be followers of Jesus Christ. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matt. 28:19-20
If we only did the things we knew we could accomplish, then we would be building monuments to our own ingenuity. But when we obey God and do something that seems unattainable, HE gets all the glory. Yes, we need to offer our best, but God is the One who will make this property and building campaign successful.
Pease pray for the campaign, and consider how you can financially support this exciting opportunity to "cross over" and possess this land. Remember, in giving your gifts of time and money, "…we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph.4:15-16
How are we going to do this?
By developing unity in the body of Christ and in the community as we partner with other churches, businesses, etc. with the purpose of seeing the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ experienced in the lives of those here, near, and far.
Why a new facility?
A building serves the ministry – the ministry serves the people – the people serve God.
A new facility will:
• Give us a sense of permanence
• Allow us to OWN rather than RENT
• Give us the opportunity to serve growing unchurched areas
• Eliminate property taxes (currently we are charged a portion of the property managements firms property taxes)
• Better Financial Stewardship.
Because of the savings (ownership vs rental), ministries can expand. We will be able to open our doors for not only weekend services, but possibly mid-week services, Mother’s Day Out programs, after school programs, etc. In addition, we can open our doors up for the use of the community - Awana type programs, Boy & Girl Scout meetings, basketball camps, volleyball, indoor concerts, and MUCH more! We can also have special outdoor events like Community Bar-b-ques, picnics on the grounds, Easter Egg Hunts, outdoor concerts, carnivals, etc.
What are we expecting?
Many in the congregation have expressed to me that you are sensing that a new season is coming to the Austin Vineyard! The feeling is the Lord is preparing us for a spiritual journey that will stretch our faith, take us deeper, and see the purposes of God established. We’re expecting Miracles and Breakthroughs both for the church AND for us personally. As we join this journey together we can expect God to MOVE! We expect to grow spiritually, to strengthen relationships and begin new ones. As you see what God does for the church body as a whole during this campaign, your personal faith will grow to see similar miracles in your own life and the life of your family! This is a FRESH START for the Austin Vineyard and we aim to take advantage of it.
The Property
The proposed land acquisition is near the corner of Anderson Mill Road and Morris Roads - approximately 3 miles from our current location across Hwy 183. Surrounding the property is new multi-family, as well as single family housing constrution. The new church facility would be in aa primie location to serve the community.
Watch The Videos
Jeff shares the good news about finding a new location for our church.
[click the image to view the video]
Jeff and others from the church talk about what the new church building will mean to us all once we make the move!
[click the image to view the video]
