The Story Continues...!

By Neil Pohlhaus

Well, it's finally here. We have reached a major milestone in the life of Central Presbyterian Church. We stand today in a state-of-the-art facility that is both beautiful and functional. An amazing place for worship, concerts, dinners, fellowship, seminars, entertainment and community outreach. The new space is the capstone for 15 years of planning and building in the Beyond These Walls/Share the Vision campaigns. Over those years we have built new classrooms, concourses, prayer spaces, children's ministry facilities, multipurpose rooms and parking lots. The fixtures, furnishings, lighting, video and sound equipment, musical instruments and other equipment will definitely enhance our use of the various spaces. Making this a reality has involved sacrificial giving by many of our members and friends, as well as God's overwhelming graciousness to us.

As important as this milestone is, it is only a milestone, not an end unto itself. The story of God's work in and through Central is still being written. It is being written in lives that are changed as they are "moved closer to Christ." It is the story of families that will be happy to find great preschool in their community and end up finding God's love expressed through teachers and staff committed to caring for their children both educationally and spiritually. It is the story of children and youth that will grow in their faith as they are taught the amazing truth found in God's Word. It is the story of people who will spread the good news of Jesus Christ where they live, work and play, both in Baltimore and around the world, spreading it through incredible acts of kindness, compassion, healing and giving. It is the story of neighborhoods being impacted by those who live as salt and light, filled with the Holy Spirit and reaching out to others as ambassadors for Christ. It is the story of fellowship that will bind hearts together through life's best and worst moments. It is the story of people worshipping an amazing and loving God that is worthy of all that we have to give. These new facilities are tools that will help us to continue writing our part of God's story.

The most important part of the story is the people whose lives will be changed forever as they encounter God's love, grace and salvation. So let's celebrate this wonderful milestone that reminds us of all the Lord has done and look forward to all that lies ahead.

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." Joshua 3:5