Richmond Road Blog & Events

Steel is going up at the new campus and should be completed by mid-November. Things will accelerate quite a bit after that, on all fronts. Behind the scenes we’ve been making decisions on staffing and the budget for opening the campus in January 2013. I’ve visited several multisite campuses and consulted with a number of campus leaders around the country. Currently I’m meeting with our Division Leaders to discuss programming and processes for the new campus. It’s a treat to get to work with these high caliber guys!

Key areas we’re discussing are: 
• Identifying people who will “transfer” to the new campus 
• Recruiting and training volunteers 
• Community outreach from Richmond Road 
• Advertising and publicity 
• Inter-campus communications 
• Delivering care and assistance 
• Managing property and facilities 

We plan to have a comprehensive plan and timeline in place by mid-December. You’ll hear much more after the first of the year.

As we pointed out, way back when we start this journey five years ago, our multisite strategy gives us an opportunity to reach thousands of people for Christ, in Lexington, Danville, and beyond, so let’s be prayerful.

In fact, let’s re-center our prayer. Let’s be especially vigilant and diligent. The enemy has already thrown several curve balls our way…and frankly, we expect more. At the end of the day, we’re advancing on our knees…. or not at all. I don’t know if you know this, but God the Father…. will always answer in the affirmative…every prayer that God the Holy Spirit prompts you to pray. So when you feel the prompting…. PRAY!

- Gary Black

Well, the crane has made it on campus and we've got it busy setting the steel.

Get comfy, Steel. You're going to be here for a while.

As always, keep the construction in your prayers. We're on schedule and we continue to get excited about how this building will be used.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey. The crowds cheered and shouted praises to Him. They lopped off palm fronds and laid them on the ground for the donkey to walk on. When they ran out of palm branches they gladly laid their cloaks on the ground and, walking ahead of Jesus and the donkey, shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David.  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:9)

As I read that I wonder if perhaps, for a moment, the donkey might’ve thought it was about him. I mean, he was doing all the work that morning! Or so he may have reflected. But it wasn’t about him at all; he was simply carrying the message.

I view the Richmond Road Campus as a good donkey commissioned to take Jesus into some places where He hasn’t always been present or welcomed. The new campus is just the donkey. Everything is still all about Jesus. It always has been and always will be. That’s the way Southland operates. We will continue to do so. I'm glad you’re considering joining us on this journey. People are going to be rescued from the enemy’s camp. We will bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives. It’s going to be a great ride!

-Gary Black