October 2023 Update
We entered this month with a spirit of thanksgiving! God is good – no matter the circumstances. Despite construction delays in our Central Campus expansion, this month we stayed focused on how God is and has been faithful in our mission. On the weekend of October 14/15 we celebrated how God has moved through our ministry to new Canadians over the last 10 years (see videos below). We are so excited for how God will move through the next chapter of our ministry as the New Canadian Friendship Centre grows into the Centre for the City, along with our Compassionate Ministries and Monday Night Evangelism. More than a building, the Centre for the City is a movement, and it has already started in each one of us!
Despite delays, construction is moving forward. We are starting to clean portions of the expansion in preparation for ministries to move in. Please be praying for God’s hand in our final stages of construction, for His timing as to when we move in and how we move in, and for a smooth process in receiving the occupancy permit!
Cleaning Volunteers Needed
Thank you to all volunteers who helped us clean some of the new spaces! We will still be needing more rounds of cleaning over the next several weeks. We will also need an army of volunteers to help us move into the new spaces. If you feel God calling you to serve in this capacity, please visit here for more information.
These are this month’s top construction updates at Central Campus:
- Additional concrete sidewalks and curbs are being installed.
- The new entrance to the south parking lot from 38 Ave has been paved and will soon have concrete curbs installed.
- Painting and installation of doors, frames, glazing (windows) and hardware continues.
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- The northwest and west areas next to the expansion are being paved.
- Several trades have competed their work; that work is being inspected.
- Carpeting is being installed on the operable stages in the gym.
- Some operable walls (which divide large spaces into small spaces) have been installed. Some operable walls are arriving later and could be installed after receiving the occupancy permit.
- It is not known when the occupancy permit will be received. Even after receiving it, there will be some spaces that are not useable because additional work is needed.
- We are starting to clean portions of the expansion in preparation for occupancy, which we hope will occur soon.
- Renovations in the SW corner of the existing building will begin after receiving the occupancy permit for the expansion.
Photo Gallery
For more photos click here.
Update Videos
See how many newcomers have been impacted by our ministry to new Canadians over the last ten years!
“I met my God and became a Christian here.”
“A lot of things (are) difficult. But the most important thing is a sense of belonging… I just came here (to learn) English but this place gives me a sense of family. And every time I come here, I’m just like… I’m in my home! Our God is here. When I met my God and I became a Christian here I feel like I’m a family member of our God. This kind of feeling is amazing and I feel like my heart is peaceful.
- Helen, from China, attending NCFC for one year.
Importance of Prayer
Prayer of the month
Pray that final materials will be delivered and installed in a timely manner so that occupancy can occur as soon as possible, and for ministry to flourish in the new spaces.
Visit this link for a full list of BUILD prayer requests for October 2023.
Finance Update
We are grateful for how, through your generosity to September 2023, God has provided $21.3M (Chapter 1 $15.7M, Chapter 2 $5.6M) leaving $4.2M remaining in our Chapter 2 goal. We still have a way to go to reach our goal. Thank you for continuing to pray and persevere with us in our journey to “complete the work,” physically, spiritually, and financially, in the spirit of 2 Corinthians 8:11.
To see where giving is at today, visit here.
The financial plan for the project is available here.
To give, visit here.
Read, Watch, Catch up...
Just joining us on our journey to BUILD? God has been leading us in these projects since 2018. To learn more about the mountains and valleys of this project, visit these links: