The ceremony, which was covered by WANE TV Channel 15, was attended by several leaders including, (pictured from left to right): Strebig Construction Contractor Jim Coe, Ft. Wayne Building Committee Chair Candice Hagar, Aboite Christian School Principal Doreen King, Fort Wayne Pastor David DeRose, Ft. Wayne City Commissioner Jason Arp, Indiana Conference Education Superintendent Peter Cousins and Lake Union Associate Treasurer Jermaine Jackson.
Debbie Michel
July 7, 2022On June 6, 2022, the Fort Wayne First Seventh-day Adventist Church broke ground on an ambitious effort to build a new elementary school, the first phase of a launch pad for a church plant and medical evangelism outreach facility.
The ceremony, which was covered by WANE TV Channel 15, was attended by several leaders including Fort Wayne pastor David DeRose, Indiana Conference Education superintendent Peter Cousins, Lake Union associate treasurer Jermaine Jackson and the city’s commissioner Jason Arp.
Ft. Wayne Church treasurer and building committee chair Candice Hagar explains that plans were put in motion five years ago to purchase property closer to the city. The move was necessary because families were paying almost as much to drive to the current location as they were paying in tuition. Additionally, the cost of maintaining the facility was spiraling upward.
As church leaders began dreaming about its future it became clear that a new school would spark opportunities for revitalization and evangelism. “We recognize that a healthy school enables a healthy and vibrant church as it attracts more families with children who are looking for an Adventist education opportunity,” says Hagar. “A private parochial education is a big step into bringing families into the fold and introducing them to Jesus and his love.”
The new 7,500 sq. ft. Aboite Christian School will include a 6,000 sq. ft. size gymnasium. About 30 students are currently enrolled, but that number is expected to rise at the new site located just one mile from the city limit. Meanwhile, the current school building has since been sold and the clock is now ticking for the new facility’s completion and occupancy by Jan. 1, 2023.
Plans call for the next phase of construction of the additional buildings to commence once the school building loan is repaid. The Lake Union is a partner in furnishing a loan from Lake Union Revolving Fund, an association that provides investment opportunities to constituents, conferences and related entities within the Lake Union territory and financial resources to its conferences and related entities.
For more information on the Ft. Wayne Church building expansion, please contact Candice Hagar at candicehagar@gmail.com.
Debbie Michel is the Lake Union Communication director and Lake Union Herald editor.
