Well, the concrete is poured and 12,600 additional square feet is now available to us as God enables us to construct the offices and finish the work. And that is just on the second floor. We now have 6,400 feet of available space to reconstruct on the first [...]]]>

Dear Prayer Partners,

Well, the concrete is poured and 12,600 additional square feet is now available to us as God enables us to construct the offices and finish the work. And that is just on the second floor. We now have 6,400 feet of available space to reconstruct on the first floor. All glory to God.
The construction team did a fantastic job. They began at 4AM in the morning and did not leave until 9PM that evening. They worked in 106 degree temperature (partially a result of the chemical reaction to curing concrete), pouring a total of 140 cubic yards of concrete, but they gave us a beautiful smooth floor that will be a delight to work with. They then poured in addition all of the columns and the new concrete and steel stairs – all of which looks great!


The next step is the elevator. We have contacted the Otis people and we have a very attractive and adequate unit ready to order. The elevator should be installed in about 10 weeks. In the meantime the men will be cutting in the channels for the plumbing for the new bathrooms and kitchen area.
Several temporary walls had to be erected to close off the construction area from the traffic flow. These walls will now be removed. The main hall will be widened by about 5″. That does not seem like much, but it will make a huge difference in the appearance of the traffic area.
By October we expect to be ready to begin laying about 7000 square feet of ceramic tile. We are praying that this can be done by volunteers. We expect to have the tile donated. Please pray that God will provide the volunteer help needed for this gargantuan task.

Another challenge is the design and construction of a feature point at the end of the entrance lobby. We would like to employ stone and a water feature that would include the concept of SLM’s worldwide outreach, but have not gotten anyone as yet to design this for us – any volunteers?
As you know, I have hoped to have the dedication for at least the downstairs area by September 19. It is clear now that will not take place. However, we are not disappointed, but encouraged by the progress made.
The biggest challenge now is to match the $50,000 that has been given as a matching gift. So far, we have $10,000 toward that goal. We need to see an additional $40,000 come in during the next 79 days (by November 15). Please join us in earnest prayer for this goal to be met and exceeded.
In the midst of all of this, our computer people have been moving us to a new, more powerful server. This has proved to be more of a challenge than expected and our IT men have worked round the clock for several days now trying to get all of the problems resolved. As of this writing we are making great progress and what is working is working faster and better than ever. PTL.
Thanks for your prayers and continuing support. Always Amazed by His Grace,

Dr. Bill Shade, Executive Director

 That became very evident last week when we huddled in my office to go [...]]]>
He’s An On Time God is the title of a new chorus, and its theme reminds us that while God may not act at the exact time we would like, He is never late – He is always on time! 

 That became very evident last week when we huddled in my office to go over the Second Floor Expansion plan.  We thanked God that the funds were in for the steel (steel erection is almost completed), and we have funds for the concrete (which will be poured by the time you read this), but we were concerned over the elevator mandated by government regulations.  If it were not installed now, it would delay putting the building back together and the ticket price was a whopping $45,000.  We each acknowledged that not only did we not have that kind of money; we had no idea where it would come from.  So we did the only thing we could – we prayed!  We told God we needed to have the elevator soon, or it would delay the entire building.  That was Monday.  Friday our CFO walked into my office with a totally unexpected matching fund grant of $50,000.  God is an “On Time God.”    

As we move forward, we need to honor this matching gift by November 15.  That means that we can use the money as we match it.  This morning the first monies came in for that purpose and we now need about $48,000 additional to complete the task.  Please pray that God will soon make this a reality.  Matching this gift will go a long way toward helping us to get this expansion project finished and get our people moved back into full-sized offices once again. Gifts can be designated Expansion Project Matching Fund, and sent to SLM Headquarters.   

One more prayer request – we need an ever increasing number of volunteers.  We need volunteer groups with all kinds of skills — everything from the usual construction skills, (electric, plumbing, building, dry-wall, painting, etc.), to tile layers, carpet layers and people to just move furniture.   Perhaps you might not only pray, but consider what part you might play in completing this God-sized project over the next months.   For information, call Phil Winder, Director of Operations: 1-800-776-1207, or email: pwinder@sourcelight.org 

In a recent editorial, Dr. Peter Teague wrote, “This new generation holds great promise, but it also demands urgent attention . . . (it) has inherited a dwindling deposit of doctrinal and theological understanding.”   How tragically true.  Quoting J. P. [...]]]>  

In a recent editorial, Dr. Peter Teague wrote, “This new generation holds great promise, but it also demands urgent attention . . . (it) has inherited a dwindling deposit of doctrinal and theological understanding.”   How tragically true.  Quoting J. P. Moorland, he goes on to say that this generation is, “a culture of self absorbed individuals who can’t live for something larger than they are.” 

While the truth of both statements can be observed as one looks at youth in general,  it has never been  people in general who have impacted the world in any age.  It has, rather, been the exceptions to the general . . . and, thank God, there are exceptions.  There are those young people who refuse to be poured into the mold of the world, or measured by the general rule of boring mediocrity.  They have determined to be different in order to make a difference.

That is why SLM is so passionate about the Extreme Assignment Missions Apprentice Program.   The program seeks for high school graduates who are determined to be different.  And the program creates an environment in which that can be nourished. 

Apprentices are different in their belief system.  They are instructed in the “doctrinal and theological” tenets of the Word of God.  They spend about 72 hours studying theology and other related subjects.

They are different in their work ethic.  Each day they take part in the tasks that reach out from our Headquarters to people all over the globe and make a difference.  They love their work because they have found significance.

They are different in their attitude toward service.  Apprentices strive to develop a true “servant’s heart” that does indeed, “live for something larger than they are.” 

If you are content to be “general” or “mediocre” you need not apply.  But if you are burning within with a determination to make a difference, you need to explore the Extreme Assignment Missions Apprentice Program at SLM.   E-mail us at apprentice@sourcelight.org. 

* Dr. Teague serves as President of Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster Pennsylvania.