The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The people of Faith United Methodist Church have been meeting for worship at the Little Cypress Intermediate School since last July.

Each Sunday they arrive at the school, unload a utility trailer, and then proceed to set up everything it takes to hold Sunday school and a meaningful worship service. This includes everything from a sound system, banners, and a nursery, to seating for the entire congregation. Then a few hours later, it all gets taken down, packed up, and hauled away for another week. So it was with great exuberance that the people of Faith UMC gathered at 6 PM last Wednesday, May 13, to officially break ground on a new multi-purpose building, the first building on their new campus on North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

The celebration began with the Rev. Kevin Kissel, pastor of Faith, welcoming the crowd and thanking God for bringing the people of Faith to that point. Kevin also prayed for God’s continued blessings on the project, and for blessings on the ministries to come that will change lives for Jesus Christ. Later in the celebration Kevin reminded the group that even though they have experienced some delays along the way, each time – by the grace of God – things worked out better than expected. And with great confidence he proclaimed that the new building will be built in God’s time.

Mayor Brown Claybar then spoke, sharing his excitement about the new facility and what it means to Orange. Mayor Claybar thanked the people of Faith for their faith and for their commitment to the community.

District Superintendent, Dr. Richard Burnham, spoke about the importance of this church to the next generation. He explained that when you plant a tree, you plant it for future generations. In the same way, when you build a new church, you build it for future generations. You build it so others will come to know the saving love of Jesus Christ. 

The crowd listened intently to each speaker, savoring every moment. They were especially moved when Marie Sanders began singing “It Took a Miracle” and “Amazing Grace.” Her musical selections touched the hearts of everyone present.

When the time came for the ceremonial ground-breaking, people of all ages were involved. Chunks of heavy black soil were scooped up, turned over, and dropped with a thud. After much laughter and ceremonial scooping, everyone praised God by singing, “In His Time” and “We Are Standing on Holy Ground.”

Reverend Carolyn McCall, pastor of Salem UMC, brought the ceremony to a close with some inspiring words of encouragement and a very moving and powerful prayer.

Faith’s new multipurpose facility, designed by architect Mark Magnuson, is phase one of their new church campus.

The people of Faith UMC have visions of beginning new ministries to reach new people for Christ, and invite anyone looking for a new church home to join them on this journey. They would love to welcome you on Sunday mornings at The Little Cypress Intermediate School on Allie Payne Road. Worship begins at 10:50 a.m. and Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.

You can learn more about Faith UMC and see the plans for the new building by visiting their Web site at http://www.faithumc-orange.org.