Corey is in Arkansas at a technology conference with Tim.  No clue how to make a video and put on blog.  Will do another weigh in next Tuesday.  Have gotten really serious about dieting.  Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I'm still not 280. Closer

I've been asked a bunch of questions on the progress of the teen center so let me address that today.

We are looking at a 5000 square foot building located within one mile of the church.  It is in the Garrets warehouse.  This is located between the store and roller skating ring on 93.  We are trying to rent it for three years at $1,000 a month.  If only it was that simple.
Met for close to three hours yesterday with the city inspector and fire marshal.  Here are the problems we've run into in order to make the building legal for people to worship in.

1. No sprinkler system.  Dwain checked today and cheapest one was in the $20,000 plus ball park.  Not an option because the owner of the ware house will not provide.  We would have to pay for and obviously leave behind.
2. There is a way around the sprinkler system.  We would have to build a wall from the ceiling down, sheet rock it and put in two doors.  This would change the square footage allowing us not to put in sprinkler system.  Wall cost - $3,000.
3. We have to add one more girls bathroom and another boys bathroom with at least two urinals.  No clue about this cost.  Looking into.  We'd have to place pipes into concrete floors.  That is always fun.
4. Another emergency door in worship area must be added.
5. AC/Heat must be added.  Owner willing to pay for all materials for AC/Heat but we must do all the labor.
6. All this must be done just to get the building to meet city codes. 
7. On top of all this we want to build a stage in the worship area. 
8. Paint the entire inside of building, including all the new AC duct work and ceiling.
9. Have to put in some type of lighting for stage.
10. Some type of cushioned chairs at a cost of $30 plus a chair.  Need 150 to start with.
11. Sound system for band to use.  Can't move what we have in Colony back and forth.  Would have to have its own.
       Corey has gotten me some bids on lights and sound system but he is in Arkansas.
This is just to get the building up and running.  We also want to add a bunch of game systems for the teens to play on. 

Here is the only problem I have with investing so much money, we don't have it.  I'm begging God for a GREEN LIGHT on this building.
Are teens worth the investment?  Every penny.  Does god want us to reach teens?  DUH!  But the reality is we don't have the funds. 
We will have a close estimate of the cost later this week and I will share all of this during part 2 of vision messages Sunday after next.

Please pray for me because it makes no sense for us to continue pursuing this building and turning it into a teen center.  But I have come to find out that is when God seems to show up.  It didn't make any sense for 5 guys to put their houses on the line to start another church in Easley, but look what God did.  Doesn't make any sense to try and plant a church in Africa, but look what God is doing.  I gotta stop before I pull the trigger and just do it. 

Another thought about building  The Kid Zone could use it for special events.  i want to begin offering different options to help people grow in their walk on Sunday nights.  Can't do that with teens meeting here on Sunday nights.  We could use the building for new members class and other meetings.  Would give us somewhere to actually do some type of fellowships etc. 

Can't wait for this Sunday.  Doing some pretty cool stuff.  You don't want to be late, worship is going to be a little different also.
See you Sunday and bring a friend, especially someone who has wondered what were all about.