NEHEMIAH TEAM

The people at Friendship Community Baptist Church are in the middle of a building campaign to expand their facilities. The project is being led by the Nehemiah Team, whose name is derived from the servant of God, Nehemiah, as found in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.  The church's current facilities at the corner of MD Hwy 2 (Solomon's Island RD)  and Jewel RD is a great facility and has served the church body well over the last 25+ years.  However, the needs of the church body have recently expanded beyond the capabilities of the current building.  As such, plans are in place to meet these new needs.  The plans include a new church facility on new property.

The new facility will be built on property currently owned by the church and located on MD Hwy 256, just east of MD Hwy 2.  It is located right across the street from Tracy's Elementary School near Deale, MD, two miles north on Highway 2 from the current church location.  This is approximately a 15 acre parcel that will allow considerable room for the church to expand and grow, while still leaving a significant "green area" for undeveloped land.

This is a multi-year project.  We are currently in the funding raising stage, our first year.  Pledges that have been made are currently being fulfilled. 
This picture shows the sign at the entrance of the property.  The property extends to the other side of the trees seen.  The property also extends off to the right of the picture a considerable amount.  Highway 256 is just to the left of the bushes on the left side of the picture.

Below is an artist's conceptual drawing of the planned facility. This is the same floor plan used by another church in Illinois.  Below the conceptual drawing are pictures of a church in Illinois that uses the same floor plan.  These pictures give an idea what the church can possibly look like once we take occupancy.

The following artist renderings are drawings of what the new facility could look like.  Keep in mind that the rendering drawings are shown on a fictitious lot, and not on our actual lot.  Also keep in mind that the coloring and final finish may differ from the drawing.  But at least you can have a general idea of what the facility could look like, and the general ground plans, including parking area, near the building.

Artist's Rendering #1 - East Face View

Artist's Rendering #2 - West Face View

Below are pictures taken at an identical church building in Illinois.  These pictures give you one idea of what the facility could possible look like, inside and out.  Borrowing from the phrase "your mileage may vary", things could look quite differently, depending on the final colors chosen, the wall hangings, the carpet type/shade, the seating fixtures selected, and...  well...  you get the idea.

Outside Photo #1

Outside Photo #2

As can be seen in the left photograph the sanctuary of the church in Illinois that uses the same floor plan has an open layout.  The ceiling is vaulted and spacious.  The stage is open and welcoming.  Lighting is both focused and plentiful.  The pews in this sanctuary have backs designed to cut down on sound reflection, thus improving the overall acoustics within the sanctuary.
 
The view to the right gives a better idea of the layout of the stage area.  The left side of the picture is the pulpit with microphone stand.  The right side of the picture, against the wall, can be seen part of the choir area.

In general, the color mixes are well balanced, with no one single color tone over-riding the ambiance.  It is pleasing to the eye and should aid int he worship mood of the congregation.  

The photo below is a Google Earth plot showing the property location, and where the building is expected to be situated on the property.  With the new church facility being located just off of Highway 2 (Solomons Island RD), it will be easily accessed by all attendees.  Also, as an added bonus, the church property will be safer to access as compared to our current facility location.  The rational is that the entrance/exit to/from Highway 2 at Highway 256 has much more adequate turn lanes from both north and south.  Also, the roadway on Highway 2 is much wider at this intersection than at Jewel Rd.  All of this adds to what is expected to be a safer access to the church than the current location.

There will be more pictures and information to follow.  But this gives one an idea of the scope of the project, and the final "product" expected after the Nehemiah teams is finished.

A special thanks goes to all of the members of the Nehemiah Team for their effort and willingness to allow God to work through them.  We pray God's blessings upon this church body as it strives to better equip the saints in their service to God.