It was a sunny day on Sunday, Sept. 14, for the groundbreaking ceremony for the North View Seventh-day Adventist Church plant in Mead, Wash. Church members came out to enjoy both the historical event and a corn roast following the ceremony.
Among some of the distinguished guests were Ozzie Knezovich, Spokane County sheriff; Gerald Haeger, Upper Columbia Conference (UCC) ministerial director; Fire Department District 9 representatives; and Rhonda Whitney, UCC urban ministries coordinator.
“The Mead area really needs the hand of God to bless it and heal it,” said Knezovich. “At the end of the day our mission is to redeem the lost so we all will hear the words ‘welcome home.’”
Haeger affirmed the church members for their mission and determination to reach out to the Mead community. The mission statement of the church is “to reveal Jesus Christ to the world around us.”
Carl Eckler presented a history of the church. During its three years in operation the church has grown from 13 charter members who met for the first time January 2011 to a current membership of 62, with 22 non-member guests and community members attending. The amount of outreach, evangelism, Vacation Bible Schools, and health and financial seminars they have held since their beginnings is commendable. Wayne Kablanow, North View Church pastor, said, “Reviewing the history of the church makes me tired.”
Those who shoveled the sandy earth were Ken Iblings, building coordinator; Louanna Henderson, charter member; Lili Mackin, representing the youth; and Samuel Cromwell, representing the children of the church.
The church is located at 12405 N. Wilson St., Mead, WA 99021.