Indiana Pentecostal Congregation Gets New Church Building Constructed in 24 Hours
A young Pentecostal congregation that launched three years ago in Indiana had their church building constructed in just 24 hours last week as part of the "Church in a Day" project.
Michael Faulk, pastor at New Life Church in Cumberland whose congregation started in April 2013, told The Christian Post that the "walls went up" on Thursday morning and "24 hours later the building was complete with carpet and paint." On Friday the church spent the day "moving into and decorating our new facility."
"Having a permanent location within our community will allow us to move forward with reaching our community. It will also allow us to expand our ministry to areas that were previously not possible within the confines of our rented space," said Faulk.
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"Our building is designed to be a part of a multi-phase building project. During our design phase, we were able to build infrastructure that will be needed as we grow and additional phases are needed."
Faulk also told CP that the endeavor involved approximately 350 volunteers connected to the Church in a Day program, a ministry overseen by the United Pentecostal Church International and North American Missions, noting that New Life is "the ninth CIAD recipient church in Indiana since its inception locally in 2003."
According to its website, New Life Church purchased the property that became their new site in 2015, with the 4.5-acre property being located just north of US-40.
"This will provide space for worship, Sunday school rooms, fellowship, and ultimately a welcoming place for those looking to further their relationship with Christ," explained the site.
"We thank God for the foundation that He has laid at New Life Church and look forward to growing to serve the community in the years to come."
Bill Hobson, general secretary for UPCI North American Missions, told CP that New Life Church was eligible for the Church in a Day program in part because "as a relatively new church plant, they are under the umbrella of North American Missions."
"After purchasing their property New Life submitted an application to North American Missions to build a Church in a Day," noted Hobson.
"Three Church in a Day projects have been completed this year. One in Texas, one in Louisiana and last week in Indiana. At this point, seven Church in a Day projects are scheduled for 2017."
For its part, the application for the Church in a Day ministry lays out a set of requirements for any congregation to be considered for a new church building.
"The congregation must be less than 10 years old. Congregation must have the approval, backing and participation of their district board, District North American Missions Board, and District North American Missions director in the project," notes the application.
"It is best that the local church own their property (debt free), though this is not a requirement. The congregation must be able to show their need (i.e. financially, numerically, etc.) of a new building that will seat approximately 100."
