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When pastoral interns and other staff members leave
Prestonwood to serve at other churches, they often report back
that the vision of Prestonwood brings life to their congregations.
That vision, Minister of Spiritual Development Mike Fechner said, focuses
on people, preaching, teaching and worship, and is about reaching
the community. We forget, he said, that many churches don’t experience
some of the blessings of Prestonwood — dozens of decisions each weekend,
fall and Christmas festivals, nearly 90 people baptized in a single
service.
The creation of a multi-use leadership training center will allow the
church to “multiply again the kingdom impact God has given” by sharing
these blessings and vision with others.
That impact could be multiplied through Christian education seminars,
conventions, pastors’ training, mentoring programs, community
fairs, mission conferences and banquets.
The center will be designed to accommodate some 3,500 people for
banquets and other events, along with smaller areas ideal for breakout
sessions, according to Associate Minister of Education Ron Surber.
Weekly gatherings that draw hundreds of visitors to the Student Ministry
Building, such as PowerLunch and Friday Morning Men’s Bible
Study, could meet in a more appropriate environment.
“I think we have an obligation as a church, (because) we’ve been
blessed, to also bless other churches. We do that by sharing our experiences,”
Ron said.
Prestonwood receives requests for help from other churches almost
daily. Inviting those churches to a conference would certainly enhance
the standard e-mail response. And those who attend could stay for the
weekend to see Prestonwood “at work.”
Also, large-scale events wouldn’t interfere with ongoing programs, so
the campus could be further maximized for ministry.
The facility will also supply more space for adult Bible Fellowship classes
on the weekends. During the 11:00 a.m. Sunday service, just about
every available room is used – and not surprisingly, since Bible Fellowship
(for all ages) is steadily approaching 10,000 in weekly attendance.
The number of classrooms may seem adequate, but the size of the available
classrooms often isn’t. A growing number of classes average about 75
people, topping 90 on a high Sunday.
“God continues to bless our adult Bible Fellowship,” Ron said. “So it’s
not just a matter of numbers and square footage; it has become a matter
of the size (of the) classes versus the size of the classrooms.”
By providing additional space for adult education and sufficient room
to host events and conferences, the center will be another way, in the
words of Pastor Jack Graham, “to bring people together around the Word
of God.”
“It’s really not about us,” Mike said. “It never has been and never will
be. It’s about God’s glory and the advancement of the Gospel.”
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