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RENDEZVOUS

Condon Community Church: Mirage to Reality

by Nancy Newbold, Condon Community Church

Like many rural community churches, the Condon Community Church has conducted worship services and youth programs at the local community hall since our inception over 20 years ago. The idea of having our own church building seemed but a distant mirage. Thanks to God’s plan and His vision, instilled in the hearts and minds of numerous people, this dream is fast becoming a reality.

Four years ago we were faced with the need to relocate our parsonage. After much prayer and discussions at many congregational meetings, we were blessed with the ability to purchase a parcel of land upon which we could place the parsonage. At this point the parsonage was the focus. Discussion included the idea that this particular piece of land might "someday" enable us to build a church.

In the fall of 1999 the Condon Community Church received a sizeable donation from a member of the congregation who was relocating, and the church building fund was born. Since then we have received $7,870 in donations for the project. This may not sound like much money, but like the loaves and fish, our Lord can accomplish much from meager beginnings.

Last fall the church board became concerned that we were losing several trees on the property due to windfall. We had hoped to eventually harvest these trees to help offset building costs when we were ready to begin construction of the church. The Lord made it clear that His timetable was in motion. After much prayer and discussion, we approached several local log home builders for bids that would include use of the existing house logs on the property.

One bid was substantially lower and added the benefit of being built on site. This saved the church the cost of shipping the logs to and from the builder and allowed several church members to assist in the building effort.

The log "package" is now 50 percent complete. Plans have been drawn and approved for the future completion of the foundation and roof. We trust in God for a weather-tight log church in our future where we can worship Him.

Henry Blackaby states that "God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways." He has certainly spoken to us through each of these sources during this process. He has worked His will through many people to get this project underway. It is clear that this church building was His idea long before we ever contemplated it.

God’s Hand was evident in the original property purchase (which was initially a little frightening). The dedication, commitment, and generosity of our pastor Jim Moore and his wife Diane contributed greatly. Gifts of our congregation’s members reveal their hearts as they give of themselves and their resources to accomplish necessary tasks. We have not moved forward without unanimous support for each decision.

I have learned that I’d better be ready at all times for God to use me. When He makes it clear He is going to get something accomplished, there is only time for obedient action!

No doubt; our Lord leads the way in this venture—in fact, He has us running to keep up with Him! Please remember us in your prayers.