The Kilsyth South Baptist Church (KSBC) has been truly blessed by God in the planning, development and building of the new Worship Centre, new offices and meeting rooms which were officially opened in February, 2016.

During our time of reflection on this project, we have seen God’s plan unfold on something that was started over 22 years ago where He has led us and provided for us in such a rich way we want to share the good news story with others.

Kilsyth South Baptist Church – Stage 1 and 2

KSBC was planted from the Heathmont Baptist Church led by their Senior Pastor, Rev John Wright, and 23 other committed Jesus followers back in 1989. The church started meeting at St Mary's Anglican Church and later at the Progress Hall in The Basin. With financial support from the Heathmont Baptist Church and the Baptist Union of Victoria, a 5 acre block of land was purchased in Liverpool Road, Kilsyth South.

The design for a new Worship Centre was undertaken, to be completed in three stages. The first stage was completed in 1994, then several years later the second stage known to us as the “ children’s wing” was completed.

Stage 3.

In 2004 the leadership group believed the time had arrived to commence stage three. An appeal for finance was made to the members with the result some $45,000 was pledged. This was not enough to commence Stage 3, so it was decided to use the generous, financial gifts to purchase 2 portables to be used for Youth and Children’s Ministries.

In 2010 it was decided to once again visit the building of stage three and a number of meetings were held within the church and KSBC home groups to discuss the plans for the Worship Centre along with other building work and the financing of the project. A cost of $1.7million was agreed upon for the project which generated a positive response and a sense of excitement from the members and regular attendees. The leadership group then decided on a plan to raise finance through pledges and fundraising.

The first pledge brochure was given to members with a range of financial commitments to choose from and within two weeks pledges totalled $770,000. Three years later in 2014, a second round of pledges took the total to $1 million dollars.

The Time to Build Committee then began working with the architect, tenders were called for and builders interviewed. However in our church were a number of professional builders and the members decided at their meeting in February, 2015 for KSBC to become the owner builder, led by a team of professional and dedicated church people. This was not an easy decision to come to, but in looking back it was the right one for KSBC to choose for stage three to be built.

The Church employed a builder as the Project Supervisor, who led and worked with our team and the Worship Centre was first used in December, 2015 for the local primary school’s graduation. The all-purpose building, offices and new car park were completed in March, 2016.

 

 

 

The Good News

 As owner builders we have been able to complete the task with a saving of over $400,000 over the lowest tender and complete it within a time frame of less than twelve months.

It’s not only about the cost savings. It brought people in the church together. Strong unity was seen and people of all ages were involved in the many working bees, preparing morning teas for workmen and being part of the number of groups needed for a building project like this to be undertaken.

It has given us a Worship Centre in our community that is a light to all who are seeking help and wanting to know the message of hope that is Jesus Christ. We have had the local primary school using the centre, over 480 people attended a concert in April with Silvie Paladino and the Salvation Army Brass Band , major youth events and other community gatherings have taken place in the short time since work has been completed.

God's Leading

 As we consider what has been achieved we have seen God’s hand in the building of the Worship Centre

• The money pledged was at the right time in God’s plan for this building work
• The church folk have been generous in their giving of money and time
• God brought into KSBC, over a period, people who had building and planning skills to do His work and allow us to go down the track of owner builder
• The project was completed without injury, disagreement or building problems with the council
• The financial support of Baptist Financial Services was a blessing and they were very co-operative and easy to work alongside, throughout the project.

The new Worship Centre will allow Kilsyth South Baptist Church to continue to expand its mission of Sharing Jesus, Caring for People, and Encouraging Christian Growth within our community and beyond.

Source: BUV News