Long-term infrastructure investment: $60K still needed

Nate Boyd, Executive Director
 
Over the past two years we’ve been tackling big infrastructure projects that will expand and strengthen the mission of Christian Encounter. These are long-term investments, but they’re already making a difference in day-to-day ministry.

A painter by trade volunteers his time to assist in the administration office remodel.

​Our list has included:
​
• Buying a 1500+ sq. ft. ministry house for girls 
• Rebuilding an 1819 sq. ft. duplex from the ground up
• Remodeling the administration office and replacing
the barely-functioning phone system
• Adding a new 1280 sq. ft. residence, which will be delivered early June
• Building an accompanying 480 sq. ft. garage and
installing a septic system
• Replacing a 47-year-old septic system on another
residence
• Paving two gravel roads that continuously need repair due to steep inclines
• And many other smaller projects

​     The costs add up to about $930K, which is a huge undertaking for us. But compared to what we’ve received, this figure is almost inconceivably low. Major discounts from friends, massive volunteer efforts, and other forms of help have all driven the costs down and been affirma­tions and avenues of God’s grace.
 
     Almost all this work is already finished or fully funded! But we still need $60K to complete the full set of projects. We want to do this work “right the first time” in order for these investments to last long into the future.
 
     The future of this ministry is worth the expense. Teen statistics about school absenteeism, drug use, mental health, etc. are grim. In February, CDC.gov reported that nearly one in three teen girls has seriously considered attempting suicide.* This leads me to the conclusion that our teens are one of the most in-need popula­tions in the world.

     Yesterday one of our students–with a smile covering her face–asked me if she could be baptized. She’s the third this month.
 
     The need is terrible. At Christian Encounter, we get to do something about it. Help us expand and strengthen–for today and the long-term!
 
*https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2023/p0213-yrbs. html