Lutheranch Ground BreakingMcKanna-Sandrock Retreat Center5/29/16In a year already filled with significant accomplishments at Lutheranch, Saturday, May 28, 2016 will long be remembered as a truly historic day when ground was broken for the McKanna-Sandrock Retreat Center. The service began at the Southeastern Synod Assembly in Birmingham. Paul Schabacker, who chaired the Site Selection Team highlighted how God’s hand was evidenced throughout the ten year journey that began in 2006 when hundreds packed the 755 Club at Turner Field to learn about plans for a new outdoor ministry site and the following March when 600 from all across the south converged on Lutheranch for the first open house. Pastor John Weber leads Ground Breaking Service A real highlight was in January 2011 when Bill Stender, Huntsville, refinanced the $2.6 million debt on Lutheranch land at 0.5% interest, which will save the ministry over $2 million in interest. The Board of Trustees recently named the campus under development the “Stender Campus” in recognition of Bill’s generosity, which was recently dedicated in memory of his parents, the Rev. William and Roberta MacDougal Stender. Schabacker also recognized the development staff team of Libby Bedenbaugh, Pr. Jan Setzler and Pr. David Hart who worked tirelessly in leading the campaign throughout the Southeastern Synod. God blessed their efforts with nearly $9 million given to make Lutheranch a reality.  Schabacker completed his remarks by introducing Doctors Jim McKanna and Vivien Casagrande (right), Nashville, who made the $2.2 million naming gift for the retreat center. Jim McKanna was inspired to give through his German Lutheran ancestry of pastors who were pioneers in this country and instrumental in starting Wartburg Seminary and Wartburg College in Iowa. Jim’s uncle Sandrock, another Lutheran pastor brought him to Long Lake Lutheran Camp in Wisconsin. McKanna and Casagrande were afforded a rousing standing ovation by the assembly.  Dr. Vivien Casagrande and Dr. James McKannaBishop Julian Gordy led a “symbolic groundbreaking” for the assembly and indicated that the dirt came from Lutheridge, Lutheranch and from congregations throughout the Southeastern Synod. He went on to explain that the dirt will be placed in a planter at the new retreat center to symbolize the partnership of congregations and members throughout the southeast. As the plants grow, so will the ministry of Lutheranch.  Laynee Hurley, St. Paul Lutheran Church- Vonore,TN adds her dirt Doctors McKanna and Casagrande were the first to turn the earth followed by Bishop Gordy who chaired “The Challenge” campaign before being elected Bishop and Pr. Gary Christensen, who chaired the “Standing on the Promise” campaign. John Schuerholz, Atlanta Braves, served as the honorary chair for both campaigns. Four board members also turned the earth including Mary Peterson, Pr. Dale Sillik, Pr. Everett Flannigan and Paul Schabacker.  The assembly was then surprised with a live “simulcast” of the actual groundbreaking service that was occurring simultaneously at Lutheranch on the site of the new McKanna-Sandrock Center. Pr. John Weber, Peachtree City, led the groundbreaking service with Development Director, Keith Trout. Mike Mynhier, chair and John Didicher, building committee members were the first to turn the earth followed by youth members of SESYLO, youth organization of the Southeastern Synod. Others present then turned the earth and enjoyed hospitality courtesy of Grace Lutheran, Carrollton.  SESYLO shares in the ground breaking Pr. Dale Sillik, a member of the NovusWay Board of Trustees and Lutheranch Task Force chair concluded the presentation at the assembly by outlining the construction timetable and what is needed to “Complete the Dream” for the new center. Less than $500,000 is needed to fully fund the center and if all goes as planned the center will be dedicated on March 11, 2017. Inspired by the groundbreaking, eleven pastors and congregations expressed interest in conducting campaigns and over $30,000 was committed by individuals. Sillik concluded his remarks with emotion filled words of thanksgiving, “We have an amazing God.” In those words Sillik expressed the feelings and thanksgiving of the entire synod to our faithful and awesome God!    If you would like to help “Complete the Dream” for Lutheranch contact Keith Trout, development director, ktrout@NovusWay.com, 864-313-1453.                                               Amiel Trott, age 6 2016 Lutheridge Camper signs the ground breaking           registration NovusWay Ministries  •  28 Spruce Drive  •  Arden, NC 28704http://www.novusway.comSubscribe  •  Preferences  •  Send to a Friend  •  Unsubscribe  •  Report SpamPowered by MyNewsletterBuilder