Overflow Center is official and Our New Home
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
We truly serve a very BIG God that has a plan for each of our lives and our region! See below for a press release and FAQ regarding the transition of the former Sears building in Benton Harbor to the Overflow Center. We look forward to sharing this facility with our community and those of you who pray for us and support us from a distance!
December 30, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Rose A. Hunt, Board President, OCCDA, (269) 277-7286
Brian Bennett, Lead Pastor, Overflow Church, (269) 861-4497
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Former Sears Building to Become Overflow Center
Overflow Christian Community Development Association (OCCDA) new owners of the Sears Building
Benton Harbor, Michigan— The Overflow Christian Community Development Association (OCCA), a 501 (c3) non-profit organization, and Overflow Church, has been given the former Sears facility, 1860 Pipestone Rd, Benton Harbor, Michigan, by a generous, anonymous donor to further the work of the OCCDA. The OCCDA is incredibly humbled by the opportunity and potential of the “Overflow Center” to assist in the fulfillment of their mission to “seek the peace and prosperity of our region through transformational initiatives and partnerships that encourages, equips, and empowers our community to reach its greatest potential.” Rose A. Hunt, Board President for the OCCDA, says “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our area. It is my hope and dream to witness the emergence of the vast, untapped potential of our communities to unprecedented levels of productivity and prosperity. God continues to smile on us!”
The Overflow Center will be a mixed-use facility, housing the OCCDA and Overflow Church (www.overflowchurch.org) with multiple tenants in the years to come. “We have believed that the God-given vision of Overflow would someday lead to these kinds of transformational partnerships, and we are humbled and in awe of what God has done with the Overflow Center and the OCCDA,” says Brian Bennett, Lead Pastor of Overflow Church. “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to move our Worship Celebrations to the new facility in 2010 and provide a great environment for all people from all walks of life to come together. Truly with God all things are possible!”
The OCCDA is a non-denominational, faith-based organization committed to partnerships in the community, the region and beyond that help generate resources and best practices to help people move forward in life. The OCCDA’s philosophy is centered on the belief that all people are created with a plan and a purpose and are valuable. We believe that lasting change happens through people that have been reconciled to themselves (emotionally/forgiveness), God (spiritual balance), and each other (socially) and that a community can be transformed through the rebuilding of relationships, leading to the equipping and empowering of all people. Overflow’s belief is that the community of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, and the surrounding county, holds within itself incredible people and potential. As the people of this region are shown true hope and a love that transcends all perceived boundaries, we believe that the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph community will become a model for change, reconciliation, and healing for other parts of the world. We look forward to the years ahead and seeing our community change one life at a time as the bridges of division are overcome and the disadvantaged are empowered to live their life with hope, dignity, safety, and financial security.
For more information, please see www.overflowchurch.org, www.overflowccda.org or www.overflowccda.blogspot.com.
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Frequently Asked Questions – The Overflow Center
(former Sears Facility @ 1860 Pipe Stone Rd., Benton Harbor, MI)
1. Why is Overflow doing this?
a. Answer: God has provided this “Overflow Center” as a donation from a very generous donor. As we have done all the proper inspections it has become clear that God’s hand is on this and it will be an incredible tool to help us fulfill our vision and mission in our region and beyond.
2. How did this get started?
a. Answer: We truly believe that this is God’s plan and not ours (His Story, for His Glory). Our leadership team was not planning for a facility, but had through prayer sensed that God was asking us to talk with the owner’s of the Sears facility as it was closing. The rest of the story has been one of seeing God’s hand continually putting the pieces in place for this incredible donation to happen. The initial conversation between Overflow and the owner’s occurred in late August of this year.
3. Is the Overflow Center (former Sears Facility) a part of the Orchards Mall?
a. Answer: The Sears Facility has been privately owned for more than 31 years and is not owned by Orchards Mall. The Overflow Center is adjacent to Orchards Mall and will work in partnership with the mall in as many ways as possible to help benefit the community and the region.
4. What role has prayer played in this decision?
a. Answer: Overflow is a prayer saturated movement and church. We have been and will continue to make prayer part of what we do every day, every where, and in every place. Our leadership team has been continually praying, and even fasting, over this incredible opportunity and invites you to join us this January to start the new year with a church wide 21-day time of prayer and fasting.
5. When will the building be open? And what will be in it at first?
a. Answer: The Overflow Center is in excellent shape , but will require interior adjustments in order to accommodate Overflow Church, Mosaic, and other tenants in the near future. We will begin work projects immediately and hope to have Overflow Church and Mosaic operational in the Overflow Center by Spring 2010.
6. Where will the church offices and prayer room be?
a. Answer: Offices and Prayer Room will continue to be housed in the Overflow Warehouse (behind the Overflow Coffee Café) @ Orchards Mall at this time.
7. What exactly will be in the Overflow Center?
a. Answer: Overflow Church, Splash Children Ministries, OCCDA Offices, Mosaic, Harbor Shine, All Youth Center, and other possible partnerships and tenants to be named in the future.
8. What is the timeline for Overflow’s Worship Celebrations Moving to the Overflow Center?
a. Answer: Spring 2010.
9. Will the Overflow Coffee Café remain in the spot it is in now?
a. Answer: Yes, Overflow Coffee Café was placed where it is today due to its strategic location for outreach. It will remain there with a possible smaller extension in the Overflow Center.
10. How can I get involved with the Overflow Center?
a. Answer:
i. Prayer: Please praise God with us and ask for His guidance and provision as we move forward.
ii. Financial Support: Chairs, Tables, Projectors, Screens, Doors, Walls, Etc. are needed and will have to be purchased or donated. Your support (above and beyond normal tithes/offerings) is greatly appreciated.
iii. Volunteer Support: Many projects will need to be completed to transition Overflow Church to the Overflow Center and to open Mosaic . Please sign-up today to be on a projects team!
Still have questions? Feel free to see any of the Overflow staff or leaders or call 269.861.4497
Media: A Press release & this document is available at: www.overflowcommunity.blogspot.com
posted by Brian @ 4:54 PM,
