The Long Game
Architecture design and construction is not usually a quick process. Creating the design and documents can take months. Once the building bids and is ready for construction, that can sometimes take a year or more! That is for a typical architecture office. At TECH, the process typically takes longer due to the nature of the ministries we serve where every decision passes through lay committees, congregational approvals, staff, and fund raising. Part of my ministry to those that we serve is communicating to them that TECH will patiently walk with them through the process, no matter how long it takes. My prayer is that they would see God's glory and character not just in the buildings we provide but in how we provide them; that the process would be as much of a blessing as the end result. I have had several leaders thank me for our understanding when something takes longer than they anticipated. In this Loop we will update you on two projects that have been mentioned before that have all taken longer than anticipated:
Emmanuel Baptist Church - Seminary Book Store
In 2021 TECH was approached by Emmanuel Baptist Church of Longview for assistance with master planning at Texas Independent Baptist Seminary, which is adjacent to and associated with the church. TECH was able to provide a long-range master plan for facility development to support the goal of steadily increasing enrollment and amenities for the students of the seminary.
One of the needs identified as part of the master planning process was that the existing campus did not have a space for students to gather after hours for fellowship, study, or relax. Shortly after completing the master plan EBC elected to proceed with the proposed bookstore and student center to provide such a space. After several supply chain and labor related delays, the building is complete, and they plan to open the facility for use by the students this fall. They are excited to give the students a place to gather and fellowship on campus.
Longview EPC Master Plan
Longview EPC first contacted TECH in 2017. When we met I had been at TECH for less than a month. They were looking for a master plan to address needs as wide as meeting space to the aesthetic perception of the buildings. The first meeting was in July of 2017. As the church discussed the master plan internally, they realized that there were other challenges they needed to address the health of the church before they were ready address the state of the facilities. That time arrived in March of 2020, or so we thought.
After the world came to a screeching halt, it took another 18 months for the process to begin in earnest. Over the next two years or so, TECH worked alongside the church to narrow and focus the plan to meet their needs. Multiple times the pastor mentioned how long the process had taken. Every time he did, I tried to encourage him that we were glad to be part of the process, and it was a joy to help them in any way through the process.
Closer to Home
There are some things in life that no amount of planning can fully prepare you for. Marriage is one of them. Having children is another. A new one to consider: teaching 2nd graders.
We have shared recently that Katie has started working full-time teaching 2nd graders at the school where our girls attend. Teaching is something that Katie has talked about possibly doing, maybe... someday. Well, God had other plans, and her someday has come. The past month has been a challenge for her as she has been learning on the fly teaching, classroom management, grading, lesson planning, and a myriad of other things. It has also been a challenge for our family as this represents a new rhythm for us. Through the challenges it has been good to see how Jesus has met us where we are at and encouraged Katie through various chance encounters. It has been good for me to see Katie begin to catch her stride toward thriving in her new role. Despite the exhausting new pace and the steep learning curve, Katie is enjoying her new role and the blessings that come with pouring into the lives of others.
How to Pray
- Pray for additional staff, specifically architects and engineers for Facility Solutions.
- Praise for a successful start of the school year for all three kids…and Katie too!
- Praise for the new ministries that have contacted TECH. Pray for wisdom in how TECH can best serve their ministry needs
- Pray for Katie as she continues to grow into and learn the skills needed to teach her students well
Ways to Give
Mail a check to:
TECH Team Advantage
25 FRJ Drive
Longview TX, 75602
(Please include a note designating the funds
for the Livingston ministry account)
Give Online:
Follow the link below to TECHTeam.org/donate and choose your preferred method of giving: credit card/ debit card, PayPal, or EFT.
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