The story of God’s people has always included seasons of exile and seasons of restoration. The prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylon, reminding them that God still had a future for them, “plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). In the same way, we have walked through our own season of exile, away from familiar spaces and routines. Now, we are beginning to taste restoration, though it is only a taste, and much work remains ahead.
What has sustained us most in these weeks is the spirit of our people. The Weekday School staff and families have met every challenge with grace. Our KIDS Ministry leaders, and the adults and students who serve alongside them, have been unwavering in their creativity and faithfulness. Each of you has carried part of this load, and that shared effort is why we have made it through to this point.
I am glad to share that both the Weekday School and KIDS Ministry are back in their usual rooms. The structural repairs in those areas are mostly complete, allowing children to return to the places where they learn, play, and experience God’s love. Some aesthetic work is still ahead, but what matters most is that our children are home again in the areas designed for them.
Even with this progress, a large portion of our campus remains untouched. Our main lobby, traditional worship center, and third-floor classrooms are still waiting for repair. The process of settling the claim with the roofer’s insurance company continues, while at the same time we are carefully documenting every part of the damage. We are just beginning to imagine what reconstruction will look like, knowing there is still a long journey before us.
Looking forward, our goal is not simply to get back to the way things were. “Normal” is too small a vision. God often uses disruption to awaken new vision, and I believe God is calling us to something more. This is our chance not only to restore what was lost, but to imagine how our spaces and ministries can bless our neighbors more faithfully, more effectively, and with greater love than before – perhaps in ways we have not yet dreamed.
As we press forward, I want you to know how much I appreciate your steadfastness. Your faith, flexibility, and encouragement have carried us this far, and they will carry us further still. We remain a people of hope, believing that God’s plans for us are not only to rebuild, but to flourish in ways that honor Christ and strengthen our witness.
Grace and peace,
