When I think of Millwood Presbyterian I think of people. I think of 47 pioneers who gathered in 1915 for a Sunday school class that would in a few short years become a congregation. I think of the 5,400 people who said yes to Jesus in joining the church and 1,100 children who received the waters of baptism at the hands of our pastors. I think of life-giving relationships; friends supporting each other in grief, encouraging each other in hope, and in all things seeking to walk together in the ways of Jesus.

Throughout our 93 years of being about people and relationships, our church has had four seasons of expanding and upgrading our facilities. In 1923 the cornerstone was laid for the original sanctuary building. In 1947 the Christian Education annex was constructed. This was followed a short time later by our current sanctuary that housed its first worshipers in 1957. A major renovation of our office space, classrooms, and the addition of the Reception Hall was completed in 1989.

The time has come for us to once again focus our attention on updating our facilities. After four years of planning and dreaming, seeking God’s wisdom and getting feedback from the congregation, we have a plan for renovations and additions that will equip us to more fully live into our mission and ministry.

When I think about this capital campaign and these construction projects, I think about people. I think about children with a safe and exciting place to learn and experience the good news of Jesus, running around and laughing with joy in a new multipurpose room. I think of parents thrilled to find a community that has prepared a place for them and their children to call home. I think of senior adults filled with anticipation when they are picked up by the church vans on Sunday morning, excited to worship, and confident that they will hear every word spoken from the front, and that bathrooms are just a few steps away. I think of a disabled new mom who will now worship regularly because she won’t need to take the awkward trip with her baby and wheelchair up the elevator to the bathrooms. I think of the hundreds of community neighbors and friends who will first step through the doors of our church into the new facility for a drama production, or a family fun night, or a scout dinner, or wedding reception, or parenting seminar, or assembly honoring teachers, or…

I think of a church alive, filled with people stepping out in faith, trusting in God to provide. A church renewing their commitment to Christ and to one another, passionate about mission, and, with open arms, embracing God’s dream for our community.

I invite you to join in this vision. Learn all you can about the campaign, pray about it, and consider your part in helping build that vision.