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2010-08-02 issue:

More than 200 people gather for ground blessing

$10.4 million raised during economic recession, construction began June 16.

by Jessica Herschberger and Annette Brill Bergstresser of Mennonite Church USA

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On June 15, approximately 200 people gathered on the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) campus in Elkhart, Ind., to bless the ground that is to be the site for the denomination's new office building. The energy-efficient building, which will be located adjacent to the campus, will house offices for staff of Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network and other organizations.

Work in Progress Gospel Band singers, from left, Rebeka Moeljono, Grace Eidmann, Sandy Miller, Ann Jacobs and Lefuarn Harvey (all employees of Menno­nite Mission Network), sing at the ground blessing ceremony for the new Mennonite Church USA office building. Photo by Ryan Miller.

"Elkhart has always been a city of innovation, generosity and resourcefulness," said Dick Moore, mayor of Elkhart, during the ceremony, "and I trust that these attributes will provide a firm foundation as you share the message of reconciliation and service with others across the street and around the world."

Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, welcomed participants to the event—part of the "Joining Together, Investing in Hope" campaign—and spoke about how the decision was made to maintain denominational offices in Newton, Kan., and Elkhart, Ind., along with dispersed staff in other parts of the country.

"We believe that a new facility will enable us to strengthen our mission while practicing sound stewardship," Stutzman said, noting that savings from the building will allow for additional funds to be redirected to the ministries of Mennonite Mission Network and other agencies of Mennonite Church USA. "We also hope this location will help create synergies across the church by being located near the AMBS community."

During the ceremony, Stutzman expressed gratitude to the donors, who were able to give a total of $10.4 million during a time of economic hardships. Of the total amount raised, $5.8 million will help benefit and strengthen existing ministry programs, with a majority of that going to Mission Network. The other $4.6 million will go toward the $7.2 million total building cost.

The program included the symbolic planting of a tree on the AMBS campus. To break the ground, Wilbur Bontrager, campaign vice chair, used a hoe that had belonged to Christian Zook Yoder, former president of Mennonite Board of Missions, to represent the pioneers of the faith "who have helped us get to where we are today." Cora Brown, pastor of Church Without Walls in Elkhart, watered the tree, symbolizing the water of the Spirit blessing the new building.

Others offering greetings and affirmations of the building project at the ceremony included George Brunk, interim president of AMBS; Lois Johns Kaufmann, conference minister of Central District Conference; and Dan Miller, lead conference minister of Indiana-Michigan Mennonite Conference. Prayers were given by Carlos Romero, executive director of Mennonite Education Agency, and Bill Hochstetler, chair of Mennonite Mission Network’s Board of Directors.

Stutzman also invited Hilary Scarsella of Spark Renewal, a group that has been expressing concerns about the decision-making processes regarding the building project, to speak during the event.

"We stand here today, not in an effort to spoil the celebration but because we believe that the body of Christ can hold the tension of divergent views, even if institutions must make choices that cannot hold the tension of divergent views," Scarsella said.

Stutzman responded to concerns from Spark Renewal that the campaign did not fully engage as many representatives from racial/ethnic groups in decision-making processes as was desired. He noted that the denomination's Executive Board has decided to give a 10 percent tithe of any new funds donated to the building project to various racial/ethnic ministries and needs.

The site contractor, DJ Construction, began work on the new building on June 16. DJ Construction is headquartered in Goshen, Ind., with a second location in Warsaw, Ind.

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