SDA church plans to build on faith

[Key Guy]

From the Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-asec-churches-031409,0,7703394.story

-- At first glance, one could assume the Adventist and Catholic congregations are merging, but a complete read of the article shows that the two churches are distinct and separate --

(Despite the recession, two congregations in Seminole County are pushing ahead with ambitious church-building plans.

A newly merged Seventh-day Adventist church and Most Precious Blood Catholic Church have launched $10million building campaigns and hope to start construction on their new homes this summer.

For both, it's a matter of faith — in their capital campaigns and hopes for a future economic recovery.)

"In the next four months, we need to raise $4 million to be able to break ground August 1 and be in the new building by December1, 2010," said Ric Pleasants, senior pastor at Winter Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The pastor is candid about the task: "We're behind the eight ball right now."

So how do they hope to accomplish their financial goal?

"The miracle continues," said Pleasants, his optimism based partly on prayer, partly on strict economic analysis. Church members are putting together several possible strategies to fund the 60,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility designed by Slocum Platts Architects of Winter Park.

Pleasants said they will examine every bid closely and hope to reduce expected costs by at least $1million, noting the cost of construction and materials has been decreasing in recent months. They also may look for benefactors outside the congregation.

For the Adventist church, it has taken significant planning just to get this far.

Last year, the group sold its Winter Springs property to Temple Israel for $3.5million to begin to raise the needed cash. The congregation meets in a rented facility while waiting to complete its merger with Seminole Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sanford.

The second congregation is smaller, but it owns the 25-acre plot of land on Ronald Reagan Boulevard on which the new facility will be built. The combined Adventist church will have about 800 members and will choose its new name in the coming months.

[Windsor]

I assume the church has been built by now. Seems odd to go $6.5 million in debt when you already have a fully paid off church. How is the fundraising going?