To the average congregation member the building program may look as if it moving at a snail's pace. Nothing could be further from the truth! Church members are working hard behind the scenes and the building program is off and running.

The church congregation has already voted on a contract to sell our current church property to a Christian organization. The contract, though complex, is promising to meet the unique needs of
both parties. The due diligence period for the buyer is going quite well. We met August 10th with their engineer to go over details that need to be addressed before the due diligence period is up in September 2008. Once this period is over and once the buyer's finances are in order the property will close. The contract states that once the church property has closed, Beacon will have the right to lease the property back until the end of 2009 which is the projected completion date of the new church sanctuary in Jupiter Farms.

The deacons are currently working with the county on the permitting of the site plan which is subject to the South Florida Water Management's approval. The site plan includes the sidewalk, the 225 paved and 137 grassed parking spaces, extensive landscaping which consists of the 324 trees already on the property as well as the over 200 native Florida trees required by the county, the 40 foot wide landscaped buffer surrounding the whole property and as you can imagine, much, much more. While this is going on we are in the process of making the building plans available to contractors and sub-contractors for bids. This will help us have a better "guess-timate" of where we are financially according to our Deacon and Head Contractor John Moore.

After all of this process we will begin building in three phases. First to be started will be the 14,678 sq ft, 800 seat sanctuary which will include a large lobby area, sound center, baptistry, Two 10 stall restrooms, several multi-purpose rooms, an 80 seat choir loft and the nursery and 2 and 3 year old classrooms and bathroom area. At the back of the sanctuary there will be a tinted, glassed in, cry room where if need be, mother's can take crying babies but still observe and listen to the service. Another family friendly amenity to the sanctuary will be the covered drive-up and drop-off area at the main entrance.

As the main sanctuary is being built, and as funds become available, it is projected that we will begin construction on the 7,300 sq ft Sunday School/Education building which will consist of classrooms, a library and restrooms.

We are hoping after we move to the new property that as funds become available we will be able to start construction on the 9,400 sq ft Family Fellowship area. This area will consist of a warming kitchen, a gathering area for church fellowships and yes, more restrooms. It will also be equipped for the youth to use as a play area for events such as Monday night AWANAs, Vacation Bible School, Teen Activities, Children's Church Etc. Once built, all three of these buildings will be attached by covered walk areas.

God's blessing has exceeded even our greatest expectations during this endeavor and we are very excited to see what he has in store for the future of Beacon Baptist Church. Please continue to pray for:

1. The contract on the current church property
2. Permitting
3. Church Finances
4. Groundbreaking and building