NEW BUILDING GOING UP! In 1983, with attendance approaching 200 and a sanctuary that was built to seat 175, the Riverdale congregation unanimously agreed to purchase the adjacent five acres for expansion that would include a new sanctuary. No one anticipated the obstacles that would delay construction for more than twenty years. Through a series of building fund campaigns, the property was paid for in a few short years and another fund was set up to begin construction. Meanwhile, the congregation continued to grow and space became an impossible situation. Families with small children were forced to hold them on their laps and chairs were set up in the foyer and out on the porch during the summer months. In 1994, a tough decision had to be made. Immediate room for services and additional Sunday School classrooms was desperately needed and the largest building in downtown Riverdale was for sale. We chose to purchase the old run-down furniture store and refurbish it into a church. This drained the building fund and we worked around the clock for three months but it was a great relief to be in a church with some elbow room! The dream for a new sanctuary was still alive and with continued growth nearing 400, the plans were drawn and permits purchased to see the sanctuary built on the corner. In 2003, the people came together in great unity on a Wednesday evening and pledged approximately $240,000 using the Church Extension Plan (an Assemblies of God program) toward the new construction. A decision was made to convert our plans from a wood frame to steel, which added another year to the wait, but the benefits were worth the wait. In November, following the celebration of our fortieth anniversary, we finally broke ground and the process began. God has blessed the effort from the beginning and many miracles have already taken place. Beginning in October, we made a monthly pledge that so far has exceeded $20,000 each time. 85-95% of the pledges came in until January and February when the pledges that came in were above 100%!! This is what God has done and we can't wait to see His hand move as we put our shoulders to the wheel. We will keep you updated with photos and news as it happens. Pray for the safety of our men as we build for the glory of God.