BUILDING A MINISTRY OF FAITH AND HOPE

































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Historical Overview
We are moving through a God led process leading to expanding ministry opportunties. Below is a brief overview of that process.


AN OVERVIEW OF OUR BEGINNINGS AND MINISTRY

The Evangelical Free Church of Merced began in August 1982 as a group of about 25 people who gathered in homes for Bible study and prayer.  The group soon began to meet in the conference room of at the County Bank in Atwater.  The group also used the Scout Hut at Applegate Park.  As the group began to grow the decision to become a church was confirmed as the group saught to be used by God effectively in the Merced/Atwater area.  The first Service of Worship as the Evangelical Free Church of Merced was held on November 7, 1982 at the Fremont Elementary School.  Bill Smith, who at that time was a church planting missionary of the Western District of the Evangelical Free Church of Amercia, was installed as the Senior Pastor in September 1983.  At that time the church was conducting ministry in the cafeteria and gym at Hoover Junior High School. In 1983 the church purchased a 7-acre parcel on Yosemite Avenue as a future building site.

The ministry grew to include Bible studies, AWANA, Junior and Senior High youth, three adult groups, a Sunday School, choir and youth choir, nursery, and many other ministry areas.  Larry and Marsha Jones were commissioned as short term missionaries to Columbia.  A small group of our fellowship were prayed for and sent off to establish the Christian Reformed Church in Merced.

In 1984 Bill Miller became the Associate Pastor for Visitation and Senior Ministries. That year the church purchased our facilities on "G" Street, but retained the Yosemite Avenue property as a possible future building site.   Phil Stangland became the church's first Youth Pastor in 1985. A counseling ministry was begun by one of the members, Dr. Maryann Biggers, in 1986. Tim Denney became the Youth Pastor in 1989.

Bill Smith left our church in 1995 to become the District Superintendent for the Midwest District of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Dave Gish became the Senior Pastor in 1996. Also in 1996 Tim Denney left our church to work full time with Young Life. Richard Flatt became our new Youth Pastor in 1997.  Steve Muncherian became our Senior Pastor in 2003.  Also in 2003 we welcomed Steve York as our Associate Pastor of Youth Ministries.  In 2005 we invited Carol Anderson to join us as our part-time Childrens Ministries faclitator.

The church has gone through periods of adjustment and refocusing.  From our early years participation in the Sunday Service of Worship grew from 25 to about 260.  In 1986 participation in the Service of Worship peaked with an average of 320.  Currently Service of Worship participation is around 110 and growing.  God continues to expand our youth and childrens ministries as well as bringing younger families into the congregation.  God has been faithful and there is a sense that the unity of the Body is firmly grounded and focused on seeking God's purposes for us as a congregation. We are seeing new possiblities of reaching the community around us with the Gospel.

A major milestone for us was passed on January 4, 2004.  During a special Service of Worship we burned our mortgage on the property.  More than 150 former and present members of the congregation joined with us as we gave thanks to God for His graciousness, provision, and direction.  Following the Service of Worship we enjoyed a Celebration Luncheon which included a historic video presentation and the sharing of memories by by founding pastor Bill Smith.

The words of Pastor Bill Smith, shared on the occasion of our 10th anniversary, still describe our congregation today.  Speaking of the congregation Pastor Bill Smith said, "There are always dreams when a new congregation forms.  People have different expectations but we have found that our church has an important part to play in the ministry of Jesus Christ in this community.  I am glad we can be part of a group of churches that proclaim that Jesus Christ is the answer to man's relationship to God and the source of a meaningful life in the here and now."


AN OVERVIEW OF THE BUILDING PROCESS

JANUARY 2003:  The congregation decides to sell our Yosemite Avenue property

JUNE 2003:  The Yosemite Avenue property is sold

NOVEMBER 2003:  The congregation decides to use the first payment from the Yosemite Avenue property to pay off all remaining debts on the Yosemite and G Street properties.  The Congregation also decides to give a love gift of 10% from the profit (balance left after paying off all other debts) in praise and gratitude to God and in acknowledgment that the profit was a gift of God and that the money we have is His.  The congregation allocates $50,000 for deferred needs on existing structure and sets aside the balance of funds to be used in a future physical building project.  The Congregation recommends the evaluation of our existing property as to how we might best utilize the G Street site for present and future ministry needs.  This evaluation involves discussion with representatives from the various ministries of the congregation.

DECEMBER 2003:  Booker / Gery Architectural firm is brought on as a consultant to evaluate possible construction and reconstruction options.  Booker / Gery provides the first exact site plan of the property and first evaluation and analysis of the existing building as to architecture, structure, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical.  It was noted that the present structure meets all codes as presently existing and base on the original construction date.  However, as soon as remodeling begins there will be a need to bring the structure up to present codes.  The proposed remodel of the sanctuary, with a seating capacity of 400, is estimated at $2,500,000 plus.  The congregation recommends exploration of other options.

JANUARY 2004:  Two options are explored.  (1) "THE EASON PLAN" - This plan would extend the sanctuary into the present gym area using the existing structure gaining seating for 260 persons.  This plan would also create an expanded entry area.  A youth room would be constructed where the stage presently exists.  The present courtyard would be enclosed as a multi-use facility.  (2) Sell the G Street property and build elsewhere.  An appraisal was done on the value of the G Street property.  As well, there was an evaluation of various other available structures in the area which could be remodeled and possible raw land sites was conducted.

During 2004 significant evaluation of both options was conducted and there was much discussion and prayer in regard to both.  After evaluation of option 2 the congregation concluded that moving from the G Street location would not be advantageous financially and in fact would probably be financially disadvantageous with an unknown upward cost.  In addition it was noted that the congregation was feeling a sense of calling to our present location and not a location “farther out.”  The Congregation recommended further evaluation and study of "The Eason Plan."  During this time the Building Committee begins meeting twice per month to develop floor and site plans according to The Eason Plan for remodeling and along with expressed ministry needs.

JANUARY 2005:  Clendenin Brothers becomes our contractor.  Golden Valley Engineering, which is preferred by Clendenin Brothers, becomes our design firm.  Golden Valley Engineering evaluates present structure for possible reconstruction according to The Eason Plan.  Congregation receives the final payment on the Yosemite Avenue property.  

As a result of the evaluation by Golden Valley Engineering insurmountable structural deficiencies are discovered which include (but are not limited to):  1) Substandard walls in the sanctuary and gym requiring significant reinforcement to bring up to present codes; 2) Trusses over classrooms insufficient to carry load of new roofing structure; 3) Undiscovered and likely problems with hidden asbestos.  Clendenin Brothers estimates cost of remodeling present facility according to The Eason Plan to be approximately $2,000,000.  The Potential exists for the congregation to end up with and expensive old building and floor plan that is a compromise in design.  The recommendation is made to demolish old structure and build new which would provide the congregation with a new building and design more suited for our ministry needs.  Clendenin Brothers estimates costs of demolition and reconstruction is about $2,200,000.

During the spring of 2005, the Building Committee revisits options related to selling the G Street property (bare ground purchase and build / purchase and remodel other facility) as well as dicussion the option of construction on the G Street property.  The options are presented to the congregation in the form of a survey.

SEPTEMBER 2005:  The survey results indicated strong preference on part of congregation to remain in present location, to resist borrowing money, and to build a new facility  There is a strong sense within the congregation that God has called us to ministry in this location and that our ministry here is crucial.  The congregation decides to pursue option of demolition and new construction on the G Street property.  A new floor plan is developed based on the plan of demolition and new construction.  Focus is on a two phase plan (front / back) with Phase One being the front section which will include the new sanctuary, entrance area, youth facility, parking lot upgrade, courtyard concrete fill in, and infrastructure for entire two phase project.  Phase Two will be delayed for now.  Clendenin Brothers estimates Phase One cost at $1,022,276

NOVEMBER 2005:  The congregation decides to have Clendenin Brothers prepare construction drawings, design plans, and a firm project cost.  Congregation decides to develop a fund raising plan.