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Additional Reading

• Miracles Follow the Plow
  by A. W. Tozer

Property News & Developments

 

Urban Concern

Update: 1/12/06
Design is also underway for the UC facility.  We closed 2005 with both the OSU and UC sites under our ownership.  Now we’re working with the city, architects and engineers to define how to best accommodate our multiple uses on the Bonham Avenue site.  We have to work through city departments for several variances on this small site, and with the South Linden Area Commission to address community desires and needs.  Many negotiations will be underway in January through March.  At the same time, UC’s staff will pursue funding from central Ohio foundations, firms and individuals to complete funding for this life-changing and community enhancing facility.  God has always had plans for us in South Linden, now we’re sure to see Him move even more mightily in the lives of the inner-city.

Update: 11/7/05
We are official owners of the 1000 Bonham Avenue site!!  We made our exchange with the city on Monday, Nov. 7 - God's cash for the deed to an acre of future ministry. Now we await results of a professional fund-raising study (due in early December) and the soon-to-be-complete Xenos campaign.  Once we have direction and better understand funding, we will pursue contracting an architect and construction firm to design and build the home for UC's community-building ministry and outstanding school.

Update: 10/17/05
God is good. Just as we are beginning to raise funds within Xenos and outside the church, God provided the site on Bonham Avenue for UC & HCS. City Council approved the sale of the site today!

Update: 10/7/05
We have signed an agreement with the City to buy the Bonham Street site.  Met with city attorney's office today.  Now we will await an environmental study of the property and City Council will vote on the sale on Monday, Oct. 17th.  Once the city ordinance has passed, the mayor needs to sign it and then we'll close on the property.  We have started conceptual architectural design and are having an environmental study completed.  We should own the site by the end of October.  We are also negotiating with a State agency, CMHA, for a lot adjacent to this site, which would provide room for a playground, some grass and line-of-site from Cleveland Avenue.

OSU - 4th and 18th

Update: 1/12/06
Design work is being completed for the student part of the new facility at 4th and 18th.  In the first quarter of the year, we will complete all drawings for this phase, meet with city departments on details, have community review meetings and submit for construction to start in late March.  At the same time, we are starting the design of a second phase, to address the adult part of the project.  Both projects will proceed together, with the student space ready in September 2006 for the new school year and the adult space ready for 2007 planting.  The design targets a retro-look, back to the 1920s and 30s, with extensive wood and color.  It will be an incredible upgrade to the 4th street scene. We are ready to change the neighborhood as we get into ministry in our new space.

Update: 11/18/05
We closed a little after 1 this afternoon! The property at 4th and 18th is now ours. Praise God for how he cleared away the obstacles and provided this incredible site.

Update: 11/7/05
We have hired an architect, engineers and a construction management firm to work with us on designing, costing and scheduling a renovation project to get the 4th and 18th site developed for campus student ministry.  If campaign funding progresses in the amazing sacrificial way it has so far, we will move right into design and plans for completing the space for adult sphere use.  The current planning intention is to have the student portion of the building (the eastern bow-roof 'quonset' hut structure) available for use for the September 2006 school year.  To take advantage of best economic pricing, we would see the other part of the buildings follow soon after, perhaps available for a new adult and/or student sphere to use in early 2007. We will own the 4th & 18th site before Thanksgiving.  There are no serious roadblocks to getting closed, except the bank needs to complete current appraisals (total time will be 6 weeks+) and then finalize their internal paperwork.  The current owner has turned into a real advocate of our church and our vision, and has worked with us to address every key issue.

Update: 10/7/05
The OSU Campus building has been under contract since August, and is close to being completed.  We have undertaken 6 weeks of study with architects and engineers to verify the condition of the facility and estimate costs for renovation.  Some substantial costs are involved since this building was started before 1910 and has been added to for decades since, but the project is achievable.  We should be able to close by the end of October, once some contract details have been finalized and the site survey is completed.  We will own the main buildings we are interested in, and we will also become landlords with several retail spaces.

Main Campus

Update: 1/12/06
The finishing touches are being applied to the interior of the new sphere-planting space at our Main Campus facility.  Painting, carpet, cabinetry and AV systems will be installed into February.  Furnishings will be in place by mid-March and we’ll hit our scheduled opening for 2 new CTs the weekend of March 25th.  During the first quarter of 2006 we will also finalize plans and start work to enhance the Main Campus auditorium.  We knew when we moved to smaller spheres and CTs that we would have to provide a more intimate setting in the larger auditorium.  That work will change the look and feel of our main room so we can more effectively fellowship in smaller groups.   The devil is certainly in the details, pray for the final work to glorify God and give us great places to minister.

Update: 11/7/05
We remain on schedule to complete the Cafe for use in March.  The 'trades' (e.g., masons, electricians, plumbers, roofers, etc.) will finish their work before year-end.  From now through February, our staff will be incredibly busy, finishing the interior of the building.  We are responsible for cabinets, counters and related woodwork/ plastics.  We will also oversee painting and flooring.  The biggest challenge will be the ceiling finishes that will be unique and really make this a 'Cafe'.  Pray for Derf Braun and our other staff as we tackle these finishing elements (and if you also have a desire to offer your mind and hands to some fruitful labor, let us know). Outside, final grading is happening.  Since it is so late in the year, we will have to wait on major landscaping work until next Spring.  That will be something to look forward to, as we'll open the Cafe still needing to complete some work that will bring more exciting change.  

Update: 10/7/05
Our Main Campus Café addition remains on-target to be ready-for-use in March, 2006.  We should be able to focus on the interior details and finishes starting after Thanksgiving.  Our staff (and volunteers as they come forward) will perform the majority of finishing work, to save a lot of money and get just what we want.  This space will be a sweet sphere planting site, unlike any other area God has delivered to us.

Need for Prayer!

Update: 1/12/06
Underlying these projects is the amazing way God delivered funding, way beyond expectations, to make these forays in spiritual battle possible.  With $7.4 million pledged, we can move ahead and make solid plans for the future.  Knowing we have funding allows us to make decisions and commitments that will ultimately save money and time in construction, since we won’t have to waste resources on contingency planning and alternatives.

Update: 10/7/05
Prayer is our weapon in this battle for souls in our community.  Get into on-our-knees prayer for:

• Urban Concern's site to get through the city processes as planned.  If all goes well over the next 4 weeks, we could have an outside chance at opening the Harambee School there in late 2006, or at least in early 2007.  Pray for all the details to be managed well, and for our witness to the city and South Linden through this.
• The sale of the OSU site to go smoothly.  No major hurdles exist, but we need the owner to act on surveys and some maintenance on the retail spaces.  We also need to figure out how to manage the retail functions once we own it.
• Funding for the Harambee Center and school from sources outside of Xenos has been budgeted at ~$2.0 million, and we need some businesses, foundations and individuals to catch a vision for this critical project.
• Hurricanes and extensive building material (steel, wood, oil) purchases by China are driving costs up for all aspects of construction.  This has effected the Café project, but we will manage to keep the project on target at budget.  The construction cost aspect of this work is murky as events unfold.  Pray for a lock-in on solid minimum pricing for the UC and OSU projects.
• Many individuals within Xenos who work in architecture, environmental consultation, engineering disciplines and construction have stepped forward to offer free and discounted services on the OSU and UC projects - pray that we can get costs down and/or deliver more as God moves people to join into these efforts with the many resources He has put in His peoples' hands.
• Our current Stewardship Campaign will reap many rewards for people as they grapple with God's Word and His will in stewardship of finances, time, prayer and the plethora of resources He has placed in our hands.  Pray for the sacrifice that will win these efforts to expand God's kingdom work.

Key Campaign Dates

• Oct. 8 will begin the final week of the 4 week CT series related to this campaign; pray for the elders who have served us through this study (and especially for Jeff Gordon as he wraps up the series with six final teachings at adult and college CTs).
• On Oct. 22 we will host open houses on the OSU, South Linden and Main Campus Cafe sites; pray for our church and also potential outside donors to catch a vision on-site that weekend.
• On Oct. 29 the Fiscal Support Team will gather in a special meeting to celebrate where we are in the campaign and to make final pledges; pray for that meeting as they lead the way by preparing their pledges.

I could go on, but you have plenty to petition our mighty Lord for from this. 

To God's Glory,

Steve Bauer
Operations and Administration