As I write this, we are just a few weeks away from completing our new fellowship hall. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy! (Psalm 126:3) Years ago, a mentor told me that we don’t celebrate enough in the modern church. I agree! We should set aside some times to simply rejoice. With the new building, we certainly
have an occasion for a party. Therefore, we will have a grand opening celebration on Monday, June 22 at 6:00 pm in the NEW fellowship hall. Through the generosity of an
anonymous donor, the cost of the meal has already been covered. It will be an excellent seated event with a catered meal. We simply want our church family to show up and celebrate. We have amazing cooks in our church, but at least for one night, we want others to do the work of cooking and serving. Daniel Shafer and Tony Wall will be leading music for us as an added plus.

We actually began our planning efforts for the new building in 2021 with a property utilization committee. Not long after, we issued a congregational survey, which revealed two primary goals: first, to renovate our existing Sanctuary Annex building, and secondly, to construct a new fellowship hall. The direction was abundantly clear, and we constituted a building committee in 2022. With the Lord’s guidance, this
group began engaging with architects and builders and by the middle of 2026 (now), we will have accomplished both goals.

To renovate one building and construct a new one required great discernment, collaboration, and the making of many decisions. Throughout, the Building Committee listened to the Lord and the congregation and worked with our
construction partners to get the desired result. This was no small task, and our leaders rose to the occasion again and again. Yet none of it would have happened without the GENEROUS SUPPORT of God’s people at Ashford. You have sacrificed greatly and given faithfully at every stage. The outcome is an incredibly beautiful structure that will be used by the Lord for so many ministry purposes. I am convinced that in addition to being highly functional, our building will declare the greatness of the Name of the Lord for all who see it. Hearing so many in our area talk about the building (along with many admirers on social media platforms) has been very gratifying. We all have come together to do something beautiful for the Lord, and it truly is a blessing to be a part of it.

Last month, I gave a financial update on the project in this space and want to do so again this month. We expect to have a mortgage of roughly $930,000 when we are
finished. That means we have already received and paid more than $3,000,000 on the building. Do you realize how rare it is for a church our size to do something like
this? To God alone be all praise and glory. I fully expect that our generous congregation will get the note paid off in just a few years.

The Lord is moving here - in us and through us. I praise Him for allowing us to see it together. Please join us on June 22. While the cost of the meal is covered, it is important for us to know an accurate count in our planning. Please return the RSVP that is forthcoming from the church office. Hallelujah, and thank you for all you have done to honor Christ!

- Pastor Robert