Members of New Covenant Church, as well as community partners instrumental in the facilitation of the joyful occasion, gathered on December 1, 2024 in the late afternoon on a brisk Sunday to officially kick off construction of the church's new Generations Building. This building, which will house the nursery, elementary, and youth ministry has been a long time in the making.
"We have a definite need for expansion," Pastor David McLendon says, citing the growth of the children's and youth ministries.
McLendon is hopeful that the edifice will be complete in nine to ten months, and is bringing a much-needed resource to Statesboro, in addition to the ministry aspect of the project.
"We intend to open a daycare as well, because we see a need," McLendon says. "I think we can fill a need in the community, provide jobs, and utilize the building to its maximum potential."
Some features include a covered playground, a patio area with ample seating, classrooms for both the children's and youth ministries, and a half basketball court. There will be a walkway in between the existing building, which is the sanctuary, and the new building.
McLendon opened the ceremony with a prayer. Elder Dwight Miller acknowledged that over $420,000 has been donated toward the $800,000 goal, with much of that money coming from selfless parishioners who believe in the possibilities the project will offer.
Next, Elder Eddie Mills thanked the community partners who contributed to making the project a possibility.
After the ceremonial sod-cutting, which was manned by adults and children alike, Worship and Youth Pastor Zac McLendon led the audience in a cover of "Goodness of God," by Bethel Music and Jenn Johnson.
Light refreshments were served as other church leaders read from Scripture and prayed over the literal and figurative change about to take place.
The McLendons, along with their church family, plan to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the Generations Building no later than October of 2025.
For more information about New Covenant Church, please visit their website.
