New plans for NewPointe;
Millersburg campus construction to begin soon
By Shelly Webb
May 16, 2011
375
NewPointe Community Church opened their Millersburg campus in September 2009 with a core group of about 100 people. Today, just a year and a half later, more than 300 attend weekly, with approximately 500 people in attendance this past Easter Sunday. The church currently meets at West Holmes High School and is very appreciative to the school district for their help and support, but is hoping to be in their own building by the end of this year.
We have a great relationship with the school district and really appreciate them, Pastor Bill Anderson, of the Millersburg campus, shared. Meeting at the school has been great, but it is a portable site and we do want to be in a permanent location soon.
According to Anderson, the church has acquired 10 acres of land just west of Millersburg on state Route 39. They have been working hard to deconstruct some preexisting buildings on the 10 acres and get the land ready for construction.
The land had about seven buildings already there when we acquired it, Anderson explained. Currently weve been in the process of deconstructing all but one of the buildings. We just completed the deconstruction this week and are now cleaning everything up. We hope to break ground next month and begin the new construction, which will be the permanent site for our NewPointe Millersburg Campus.
The church is planning to construct a building that will be approximately 20,000 to 25,000 square feet. Anderson is excited about the future of the church and pointed out that God is the One that gives the increase in all things, including church growth.
We really embrace the model that Paul spoke of in I Corinthians 3:6, talking about church growth, when he said, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase, Anderson said. Our goal at NewPointe is to create an environment where God gives the increase. We are contemporary, enthusiastic and caring toward families. We are a loving and nurturing church and one that people want to come back to once theyve visited.
Anderson believes having a permanent location and building for the church will further develop the growth they are already experiencing. The church is driven by individual and family ministries, with great emphasis on children and students. The church currently uses video capability in their Millersburg and Canton services, with lead Pastor Dwight Mason bringing weekly prerecorded sermons to the congregation. The future plan includes transitioning the current process to a live broadcast so that all campuses would be seeing and hearing Mason live during each sermon.
What we have right now is great, Anderson said, but the live broadcast will be even better. Were really excited about the future of the Millersburg ministry. We love the community and want to continue being a great ministry to the people.
The church organized a capital campaign in November 2010 to cover expenses for the Millersburg building project, as well as some overseas mission projects, remodeling projects at the Canton campus, and a few other smaller projects. Raising the necessary funds before beginning these projects was an important goal for the church and one that exemplifies the concept of good stewardship. Anderson is hoping they can hold Christmas Eve service 2011 in the new building if everything goes well.
The new building will have a large auditorium, but it will not be multi-purpose like a gymnasium, Anderson added. It will be auditorium style and were hoping to hold Christmas Eve services in the building, but realize that is an ambitious goal. If everything works out perfectly we may be able to do that, but if not, well be in the new building early next year.
In the meantime, the Millersburg campus will continue meeting at West Holmes High School and providing ministry and care for the Millersburg community.
Our goal is to help people grow their relationship with Jesus Christ, Anderson added. When you visit NewPointe, you will experience amazing music, creative environments, and engaging messages, but most importantly, relevant people just like you, who want you to feel at home here.
The church offers a wide array of ministries for everyone, including children birth through high school, couples ministries, small groups, various sports ministries, care ministries (grief, divorce etc ) and many other ministries geared to meet the specific needs of people.
NewPointe Millersburg meets at 9 and 11 a.m. each Sunday in West Holmes High School, and offers a full range of environments for the whole family, just as the other two campuses do. For more information, visit the website at http://www.newpointe.org or contact the church office at 330-602-5600.
