Monday Tour

My Monday started by walking into a quiet room filled with candles and huddles of prayer. Our prayer focus today was the persecuted church. It was a creative way to remember that people around the world have to gather in secret to worship. Great prayer time. "Remember those in prison as though you were suffering with them." Hebrews 13:3

After staff meeting, Mike Despard took a few of us on a tour of the new building. Let me take you with us... 

Below: Entrance to the existing gym. The sound and lights in the gym will have to be moved to the west wall because the new entrance will be right where the current stage is set up.

Below: This huge space will be for the "black box" which will coveted by all ministries as it will seat about 300 people. Along with random meetings, youth will primarily be using that space. The door you see on the far wall is the entrance to the existing Activity Center.
Below: This is looking into the foyer, which is going to be huge. The forms in the front of the picture are for the fountain, which will also be a baptismal. The connection group, family and close friends of the people getting baptized can watch out there while everyone in the auditorium will see it via live video.
Below: This is backstage, where there will be storage, green room, video/tech rooms, etc.
Below: Standing on the stage, looking out into the auditorium, which will seat about 1,100 on the main level and another 900 in the balcony. The balcony section will probably be completed later, as the funds come in.
Below: This is looking from the "back row" to the stage. It's amazing how close the back row will be to the stage- not much further than in the current auditorium. With the seats wrapping around the stage, it allows for a much closer feel. It's going to be awesome.
Below: These steps lead down to a tunnel that runs under the auditorium.
Below: The tunnel. I'm trying to figure out how to get a wall ride skate ramp down there.
Below: Here's a random picture that cracked me up. Watch out- it may happen to you someday. Beck likes to play in the sink with his GI Joe's, motorcycles, and other random stuff he finds in my drawers...