Caulfield Messianic Centre Project

Caulfield Messianic Centre Project

Many people think that we have already completed our building project to construct the first custom-built Messianic synagogue in the Southern Hemisphere. But this is not so!

In fact, we have not yet started construction of the Caulfield Messianic Centre.

I have been asked hundreds of times over the past 18 months, “When are we/you going to start?”

And for a while I was giving specific dates several months in advance.

Just like religious zealots who put a date to Messiah’s return, predicting a specific date is a recipe for Egg On Face.

It is true that most of the planning has been done, but for the past two years we have been refining the plans and in more recent months trying to ensure that we will end up with facilities that will service future generations. Importantly, that the construction will be done on time and on budget; we do not want to saddle future generations with debt. And most importantly, that we build a house that honours the Lord and is a beacon from which the Good News of Messiah Yeshua will go forth.

Our prudent Celebrate Messiah board has insisted that we have all the money required before we proceed. We do have most of the money from fundraising and from selling the old Church of Christ manse. However, we are around $500,000 short of what we need to complete the building and do the fitout including furniture and equipment.

One major reason for the delays is that we have had various architects and designers come on to but leave the project for personal or organisational reasons. On top of this we have been dealing with at least 14 consultants from project managers, designers, draftsmen, specialist engineers – structural, electrical, hydraulic, sound –  interior design, lighting, landscaping, land surveyor, quantity surveyor, building surveyor, waste management.  And then there’s the proposed builder.

Whenever, changes have needed to be made, directions, plans and consultations have occurred between at least two and sometimes up to half a dozen consultants.

So, what seems like a rather small redevelopment project is actually quite a massive undertaking.

Inspiration for this project comes from the Book of Nehemiah, which describes his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.

I told them how the hand of my God had been favourable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. (Neh 2:18)

We do believe that God has his hand on the whole undertaking, and it will be done in his time. Meanwhile, we are exercising great patience and trust in El Elyon, our Most High God, that the house we build will be His house that He entrusts to us.

It’s with great joy and welcome responsibility that we will see this project through to completion.

Please pray with us!

Mark

on behalf of the Celebrate Messiah team