Building search update
As we promised to do this year, the elders have been active in checking out possible buildings and also vacant land within approximately a 5 mile radius of Elmwood school. We have several people involved in real estate keeping their eyes out for possibilities, and have even contacted several district offices of other denominations to inquire about buildings that might be available now or in the near future. While we have discussed a number of possibilities, nothing appeared to meet the needs of a church such as Covenant.
Nothing–except one property that we were alerted to by one of several people who have been watching the commercial real estate market for us. This, of course, is the church building at 86th and Warnimont in Milwaukee, which appeared to have great potential for expansion of Convenant’s ministry. We received very positive feedback from the congregation when we presented information about the property, so the Session met and presented an offer via the real estae agents (one talking with us, the other the listing broker working with the seller).
The congregation that owns the building did not respond immediately to our offer, despite our request to do so. Instead, they waited until three offers were on the table. On the advice of our broker, we adjusted our offer so it would be more competitive, going all the way to the asking price. However, after two meetings, the seller decided on a different offer. We do not know who the winning buyer is, but it appears they offered more than the asking price, had cash in hand, and did not ask for any inspection of the property before closing.
For our part, we had already contacted David Haney, who administer’s the OPC Loan fund. He made plans to be here to look at the property; and to be at the Congregational Meeting we were planning for May 18 to vote on the offer had it been accepted. We notified the seller that we were prepared to move quickly with approval and financing, but it made no difference in the results.
We stated from the beginning that we are trusting the Lord to guide us, and prayed that if it was his will that our offer would be accepted, and if it was not His will for us to occupy that church building, that He would shut the door. So we are accepting the closed door as His answer, as we did all we could reasonably do without seeking to force the issue by using aggressive tactics, especially since we had no idea what the other offers were.
And we are praising the Lord that He has enabled us to maintain the unity of the Congregation in our desire to minister to our community, and that He continues to bless us with faithful proclamation of His Word and an increase in our numbers.
We are continuing to watch the real estate market and to make inquiries about any interesting properties. The Session will continue to provide updates, and not only when we suddenly have to make decisions about an offer! Thank you again for your prayers and input.
The Covenant Session
Topics: Session Info |
« Jakin William Kleitsch Arrives | Home | Don Ritsman coming June 21 »