For more information, please contact us:

The Gospel Barn

4751 Bankers Road

Hillsdale, MI  49242

gospelbarn@comcast.net

1-800-625-5988

517-437-4050

March 2008

BUILDING PROJECT UPDATE

As most of you are aware, we have been working on a plan to expand the Gospel Barn facility.  This plan would include additions to the auditorium and lobby areas.  We have consulted with design and build engineers to thoroughly and patiently format a plan that will accomplish our goals and is feasible to complete.

The main goal is to better accommodate those that are already attending and others that may wish to attend our gospel concerts.  Many have often found our events to be too crowded for their comfort and enjoyment; even to the point of not knowing for sure if there would be any seats available once they arrived for the concert.  We also believe that we could better accommodate those with disabilities by incorporating better seating arrangements for wheel chairs, etc.  For further safety reasons, we would prefer to discontinue using folding chairs in the auditorium. 

An added goal of this plan is to accommodate more people in our lobby area.  As we have ventured further into this plan, we have realized more than ever that we cannot reasonably expect to add another 150-175 seats to our auditorium without considering the lobby area as well.  The lobby expansion would primarily provide more space for the concession area, more room for gathering, relaxing and/or eating, and also more space for special events such as the Strawberry Jubilee and Hog Roast.

We are also looking at the possibility of providing actual live video of any concert.  This video capability would greatly enhance the enjoyment of our concerts, especially to those seated in the upper levels at each end of the auditorium.  This audio/video feed could also be available in the lobby for the enjoyment of anyone in that area.

We have and continue to seek God’s direction in this ministry and believe He has shown us that people desire to be here and that growth can be achieved with His kingdom in mind.  This plan has been pursued in response to the ever increasing attendance and enthusiasm evident in those that love the Lord and love gospel music. 

In regards to funding, building and completing this expansion, we propose a two-phase plan:

PHASE 1 – Lobby Expansion

This added room to the lobby is needed even now and will be especially necessary if/when the auditorium expansion goes forward.   We believe this phase can be accomplished for far less than some early estimates have indicated.  To do this, we will require the assistance of those skilled in construction work and others who are willing to help.  Obviously, we will need significant financial support and have set an initial goal of $80,000 - $100,000 for this first phase.  We are focusing on the lobby phase based on the initial needs of the facility and financial factors attributed to building code requirements that will be brought into play once we begin the auditorium expansion.

PHASE 2 – Auditorium Expansion

Following the completion of Phase 1, we will assess our finances and needs prior to pursuing the larger, more costly auditorium expansion.  In the meantime, we are looking to add a few more of the afternoon concerts; thereby accommodating more people with our current facility.

With the auditorium expansion, 150-175 seats will be added to the east end of the auditorium in a similar design as the current west end.   This phase will accomplish the main goal of seating more people.  However, it will bring into requirement a fire suppression sprinkler system, which does add greatly to the cost.  The potential cost of Phase 2 has been quoted at approximately $400,000.  Again, we believe that we could bring these costs down a great deal and have set an initial goal of $250,000 for Phase 2.

To see the initial drawings and plans, please click here.  The gray-shaded areas represent the proposed additions.

These costs look imposing and sometimes unattainable, especially in uncertain economic times.  When we consider the mission is for the Owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, the Divine Creator of the entire universe, then these dollar figures amount to little more than one small hillside with a few old cows grazing on the grass that He provides.

Possibly the most important aspect in completing this expansion is our sincere belief that the funds must be raised through donations and similar means.  We do not believe it to be in the best interest of this ministry going forward to incur any significant debt.  It is vitally important to keep our costs at a minimum, so as to keep our concert events affordable for anyone wishing to attend.

A couple of encouraging and helpful developments have occurred over the winter months. During the off season we have established a “building fund account” through the Hillsdale County Community Foundation.  Utilizing the services of the Community Foundation for a “pass-through” account has made it possible for a financial donation towards the Gospel Barn Building Project to be federally tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.  Your check can be made out to the Hillsdale County Community Foundation and designated for the Gospel Barn Building Project.  If you are not concerned about the tax exemption, then simply make your contribution to The Gospel Barn.  A somewhat surprising development has been the notification from Consumers Energy that they are planning to rebuild and upgrade the power lines along Bankers Road.  This will bring the required 3-phase electrical service (for the fire suppression system) right across the front of the property.  This improvement could potentially save $15,000, as we would not need to pay for that power upgrade ourselves.  These developments are an indication of how God can and will provide in unsuspecting ways as we move forward. 

The year 2008 marks twenty years since my grandparents (Everett and Margaret Wirick), who built and operated this ministry starting in 1974, were suddenly and tragically killed in an automobile accident.  We think of them often and miss them greatly.  This step of faith that we are considering pales in comparison to the giant leap of faith that they took nearly 40 years ago.  At that time, great supportive crowds and a long-standing reputation of promoting quality concerts had not yet been established.  Only a clear and Christ-centered vision to provide a venue for gospel music concerts – a place where folks could know and experience the joy of the Lord.  As this building project goes forward, it will be to His glory to expand not only our facility but also that very same vision which inspired Everett Wirick to turn the first shovel of dirt for the work of the Lord.  To whom much has been given, much is expected and we have been given so much. This will require that we venture further out of our comfort zone than ever before in achieving expectations of God`s greatness.  We plan to proceed with a determined patience, making sure that we keep the mission of ministering first and foremost.  We ask for your help in many ways, not the least of which is your continued prayers for the right people, the finances and the right decisions at the right time to move ahead with whatever accomplishes the most for the Kingdom.

Please seek the Lord’s guidance in your giving to this project. 

Thank you for contributing to the continuing ministry of The Gospel Barn.

 In His Service,

 The Gospel Barn Family