PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
July 1, 2019
Cranberry Township, PA- The Greeting Area as you come into the main entrance and the Fellowship Hall were decorated in festive party style with helium filled “Make Room” themed balloons rising from the table centerpieces and tied to the back of chairs. On this Kick-Off Sunday, the 9:30 AM and 11 AM Services would be joined together for a time of celebration. The service began as an old-fashioned revival would, singing the old-time hymns “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Saw the Light.” The excitement and presence of the Lord was in the sanctuary as the congregants clapped their hands and rejoiced in worship. Pastor Tom Parkinson was in his second week of a 3-week sermon series on “Make Room.” Make Room for God, Make Room for Others and Make Room for Service.
Thirty-three years ago (1986), Dutilh Church was destroyed by an arsonist who set fire to the church and burned it to the ground. The congregation had a choice to make. Do we rebuild the same or do we “Build Bigger?” They chose to build a church 3-times the size to MAKE ROOM for a growing Cranberry Community.
It’s 33-years later and the church is out of room and bursting at the seams. On May 19th the congregation voted to proceed with the implementation of the “Master Facility Plan” and add an additional 27,000 square feet onto to the existing church facility and refresh the older parts of the building, including the sanctuary. All of this is being done so Dutilh Church has room for current and future ministries. Pastor Tom said, “It’s our turn to ‘MAKE ROOM’ for those who will come through our doors.”
The service concluded with singing “How Great Thou Art.” Immediately afterward, the Steering Committee members were introduced by Alan Montgomery, Chair of the “Make Room” Steering Committee. Pastor Tom announced and explained our goal is to visit all 339 households and encouraged all the members to accept their invitation for a visit. The Advanced Visitation resulted in 42 visits, 30 Pledges with 12 households still in prayerful consideration for their gift. The 30 pledges received thus far totaled $1,142,600. A huge round of applause rose as the total was announced to the congregation. The congregation was dismissed for food and fellowship.
Greg Holt, James D. Klote & Associates (JDK&A) Campaign Director, said the level of excitement could be seen on the faces of the members. 23 households signed up to request an immediate visit from the trained volunteer visitors. This is testimony to the congregation’s commitment and passion toward a successful campaign.
The campaign will be directed by James D. Klote & Associates, Inc. JDK&A, a full-time, on-site capital stewardship consulting firm based in Falls Church, Virginia, recently ranked the #1 church consulting firm in the United States by Volkart, a market research firm in Minnesota. Greg Holt is the consultant assigned to Dutilh Church.
With offices in Falls Church, Virginia; Dallas, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada, James D. Klote & Associates is the largest full-time, on-site stewardship consulting firm in North America. For additional information, please contact the firm at www.jdklote.com or (800)-360-2315.