"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." - Isaiah 61:4
As of January 25, 2011 Cross and Crown Mission is now the proud owner of the old Whittier Elementary School building located at 1900 NW10. It is a three story building with long hallways, big rooms and lots of space (basketball courts require a lot of space, hmmmm).
Below you can check out some very unprofessional, blurry pictures taken by myself with my camera phone. Paul closed on the building at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon and as soon as Ron and I got word of the news we quickly rounded up the Rock Island kids that wanted to check it out.
Most of the kids were excited to browse through the building because it has a old, vacant, haunted house feel to it. I can't blame them. It's old. It's rough. It has a lot....a lot of work to be done. As you can see from some of the pictures, we, along with the help of many partnering churches and individuals, have a lot of work to do.
There have been several individuals and, undoubtedly, will be more who will ask, suggest and question whether or not this building is worth the time, energy and investment to restore. And, I can't blame them. That's the same thing I, along with countless others, thought when the original, founding group laid eyes on the building that is now Cross and Crown.
Something I have learned during my time at Cross and Crown/Rock Island is that God has a special interest in restoring and transforming. In the Old Testament God restores people (Saul/Paul), nations (Israel) and even buildings (the Temple).
I happen to believe that God is still in the business of restoration. I've seen individuals restored from addictions and in relationships with others. I've seen homes and buildings restored and transformed through Christ-followers, his hands and feet, from this very neighborhood.
I would love for this building to be restored and completed in the next couple months. I would love for 400 people to come at the snap of a finger with cars full of money, shovels, paint, brooms and other tools to knock this project out asap. I also know that God's faithfulness and timing never fails. His word is good. And, because I know this, I know that I, that we, might have to wait.
"LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God." - Psalm 38:15
"Since ancient times no one has heard,no ear has perceived,no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him." - Isaiah 64:4
But, until then, we will be doing the best we can to recruit professionals, located supplies and find bodies that want to get dirty. If interested or curious as to how you can help in any way you can contact us in one of the following ways.....
Phone - (405) 232-7696
or...
Email - crossandcrownmission@gmail.com
or...
leave a comment and/or contact information in the comment section of this blog.
