Building Project Update – 4.25.07

I imagine it was a radiant day, the sun shining on the grassy hillside near the far shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus and his disciples saw the multitudes coming toward them.  The crowds followed because they saw the great signs and wonders that the Messiah performed and how He healed the sick. (John 6:2)  The Passover Feast was near.  Jesus turned to his disciples and asked, though He already had an amazing plan in mind, “Where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat?”

Philip answered incredulously, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"  (What a perfect segue to what Christ was about to do—accomplish the impossible!)

There, standing in the midst of them, was a little child.  Andrew spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" I love this question because Jesus was about to show them just that!  He took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed the food to the five thousand followers that gathered around him.  Everyone ate until they were full, with leftovers to spare!

What I love about this story—besides this awesome miracle by our Savior, despite His disciples’ disbelief—was the little boy.  We all could learn a lot from him.  You see, this child did not have much, just five loaves and two fish, but he put all he had into the hands of Jesus where it became a lot.  He was not able to do much, but he was available.

Family, this is exactly what you’ve done by participating in the Honoring His Name campaign!  Thank you for putting what you have into God’s hands to further His Kingdom.  It is when we put a little in the Master’s hands that it becomes a lot, for His glory, to bless others in a mighty way.  I pray that this would extend to every aspect of your life, not just with your treasure but with your time, talents, and the trusted Gospel.  Thank you for your faithfulness and commitment to Christ and to this project!

Here is a quarterly update on the HHN Campaign. We are 45 percent of the way through our campaign, which means we need to be 45 percent of the way through our commitments.  However, we are 28 percent of the way there. By the time you get the next update, we will be halfway through the campaign, so I want to ask you all to look at what you’ve committed to give, see if you are on schedule, and help us to get to that 50 percent mark.  The further we get behind the more difficult it will be for us to catch up, but I have faith that we are going to pull through!

To date:  Overall commitments to the Honoring His Name Campaign stands at $17,799,222.00.

To date:  We have received $4,964,232.25 of the total pledges, which is 28 percent of our overall need, with $12,834,989.75 still to be given.

Here is the latest information regarding the building project itself:

• CalTrans land: Our purchase of the land between Shepherd’s existing campus and the 118 freeway (between Corbin Avenue and Porter Ranch Drive) has been accepted by CalTrans, and will now be reviewed by the California Traffic Commission. We are still in negotiations with the State of California and City of Los Angeles for lease access on two parcels of land immediately south of the 118 freeway.  Use of this land will allow for a smaller parking structure on our campus, which will save both space and finances, and will benefit the community by providing Shepherd-maintained riding trails and beautification projects. 

• PRDC Land: We are on schedule to enter escrow with PRDC for land purchase west of SOTH.  Shepherd’s Development Team meets regularly to proceed with the purchase of 4.5 acres of land west of our existing campus.  Traffic studies are currently being processed in preparation for the city’s review.  When the purchase of this land is finalized, Shepherd’s campus will stretch from Corbin Ave. to Porter Ranch Dr., providing space for a new sanctuary, parking facility, “commons” area, and offices. 

New Sanctuary

• The Design Team meets weekly on new sanctuary plans.  Our architects and development team are nearing completion of a design that implements the needs of our growing congregation and the vision of Shepherd’s design team while maintaining the “ranch feel” important to our local community.  Phase 1 of this building plan calls for a 3,500-seat sanctuary and other necessary spaces. 

Lastly, let us have faith like the multitude that followed Jesus, and PRAY that:

• God will continue to bless the capital campaign, building project, and all those participating.
• The California Traffic Commission approves this purchase at their next review meeting in late April.  Acquiring the 2.5 acres of land will allow Shepherd to incorporate a drive aisle into our master site plan, spanning the length of our campus, from Corbin to Porter Ranch.
• We will have fruitful negotiations with city and state decision-makers as this can be a lengthy, detailed process.
• God will bless and give our architects, project manager and development team guidance and wisdom as they work together to finalize this design that will be a blessing to both our congregation and community we serve!

What matters most to God is not your ability; it’s your availability.  Thank you so much for being available—for putting your treasure, time, and talents into the hands of Jesus so that God can do something mighty and miraculous through Shepherd of the Hills Church!  “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’” Matthew 25:21