Groundbreaking for The Neighborhood Center’s Education Building and Site Work

It was 1999 when we began construction to see a community center built out of an old feed and seed mill. The ground breaking happened between two old warehouses on dirt that a shovel couldn’t penetrate hardened like concrete over a hundred years of operating a processing center for grain. In faith, we began that stage of rehab. This week we put shovels into the ground again; another act of faith, another stage in the series of transformative activities at The Neighborhood Center. Many of you remember those days. It was astounding to you that God would imagine for us, and then through us, the transforming of this dilapidated and dangerous property and neighborhood. And if you couldn’t have afforded to help us or in some cases couldn’t even believe it was possible, you committed to pray. Well, its time to pray again. To pray for the continued work of God, for this next adventure, for the impossible goals before us. The vision is great, and simple. After decades of working with youth, and almost a decade building a substantive pre-school, we are believing with God that an enormous and abandoned silo building is to be repurposed into one of the most interesting features on our property to date. A new education building – with an entire floor dedicated to early childhood development and associated parent education – and a second floor dedicated to youth, youth leadership development, youth outreach and college access. The ground is moving already, in preparation for the permits to be drawn from the city for the building. The site work is underway. If you drive down 19^th Ave and Van Buren regularly, you have seen the giant trucks breaking up the old ancient soil. Railroad tracks have been removed and the old ties have become gorgeous fence posts. Practically everyday we are telling the story of this new adventure to raise the needed funds. This is where you come in. Will you carry this project in prayer?

• The current goal is $318,000 – that will allow us to apply for a grant we have been pursuing

I will keep you posted in all the following prayer emails throughout the next few months, until all the monies are raised and the building is completed. When everything is finished we will have a big party to celebrate, and invite you to see ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE. This will also be the time we remember our 30^th anniversary as a mission. Two big reasons to have a party! Please join us this Thursday, September 20^th at 10:00 am for the groundbreaking ceremony – 1918 W. Van Buren. Attending will be Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and other local dignitaries who believe in and support NM’s next big faith effort. God bless you, kit Click here to read the entire prayer letter.]]>