It has taken thousands of hours over nine years to plan, design, develop, construct, furnish and raise funds for the new Student Life Center at Petra Church, New Holland, but the building is now complete. The official occupancy permit was granted by Earl Township on April 20. The doors will open for ministry on Sunday, May 29.
Petra will celebrate the construction of its Student Life Center through a Dedication Service on Sunday, May 22, from 6 to 7 p.m. in Petra’s Sanctuary. Guided tours will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m. and an open house from 7 to 8 p.m. Guests from the community are cordially invited.
The Student Life Center, built at a cost of approximately $7 million, was designed to meet the ministry needs of the next generation of children and youth.
“About nine years ago, as we were assessing our growth needs, we determined that due to the increasing number of children and youth within our congregation, we needed larger and more secure space for them to flourish,” said Ken Reinford, who serves as Petra’s Executive Pastor of Ministries. “We envisioned an environment where we could pass on our faith, strengthen our families and reach out to our friends and neighbors who do not yet know Jesus.”
The two-story Student Life Center adds approximately 56,000 square feet to the Petra campus. It is attached to the existing building near the Sanctuary. The first floor holds an atrium, a large concourse with a centralized check-in for children, an auditorium for youth and young adults, six classrooms, two kitchenettes, restrooms and an indoor playroom.
The second floor holds a children’s auditorium, seven classrooms, restrooms and a kitchenette. Children will be able to use a sliding board to exit from the second floor to the first.
“There is now plenty of good, safe space for children and youth to worship, receive training, learn creatively and interact with peers,” said Pastor Reinford.
The two auditoriums are equipped with the latest in audio/video/lighting technology from CTS Audio in Nashville, Tennessee.
In addition to children and youth ministry, the space during the week will be used for adult education and various meetings. The renovated gym will provide greater flexibility and space for activities and exercise, and the auditoriums will be conducive to weddings and other celebrations.
The Student Life Center will benefit the community as well.
“We have created a playroom with kitchen and tables for the community to use for birthday parties and special events,” said Senior Pastor Lester Zimmerman. “Also, as part of the land development, we have created a mile-long walking path around the perimeter of the property for community use.”
The contractor for the Student Life Center was Ames Construction; the engineering firm was Larson Design Firm; the architect was Cornerstone Design Architects; and the interior design company was GDI Designs.
“This project was massive, and it took many committed people,” said Pastor Reinford. “Our partnership with Earl and East Earl Township, the community, land engineers, architects, designers and general contractors and sub-contractors has been an amazing demonstration of teamwork. Ames Construction did a great job at staying focused and goal-driven, producing a quality product. We also benefitted from weeks and weeks of favorable weather through December, which helped us reach our goal early, for which we are grateful.”
The Student Life Center has been funded through a three-year “Building for the Generations” capital campaign, which formally concluded in April 2015. Petra has so far received more than $2.5 million toward the construction of the Student Life Center. In addition, the church has tithed $141,600 from the Building Fund toward the building of churches in Colombia, Poland and Haiti. A loan for the remaining cost has been secured through Eastern Mennonite Missions.
Petra was birthed in 1983, when about 40 people gathered to worship at Liberty Fire Hall in New Holland. Now, approximately 1,400 people gather weekly for two Sunday services at 565 Airport Road, New Holland. Approximately one-third of the congregation is under the age of 18.
“The building of the Student Life Center has been a very positive experience for us,” said Pastor Zimmerman. “God has given us both a tremendous blessing and a great responsibility.”
