Week of November 6 - 12
We are getting close to finishing the Remodel phase:
West side upstairs windows were installed Friday.
Design and Build Team had their update meeting today (Saturday at 9 AM). The team, under the leadership of Gurn Kelly, will begin to finalize the next steps of the building addition and financing by the end of the year.
Exterior updates on the west side of the Ministry Center are scheduled to be accomplished in November.
Final "Punch List" of clean up work inside the Ministry Center has been compiled, and will be addressed each week through the end of the year until all tasks have been completed.
Thanks to the hard work of Gurn Kelly, the two smaller storage pods on the west side have been cleared out. We will look to have those two pods removed next week.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18 after the Worship Service: We invite all Bridge family to stay after to help empty the last storage pod at the base of the north side stairs. This pod is full of children's ministry furniture, toys, craft items and costumes from previous outreach events. Some items will stay at the Ministry Center, some items will be free for the taking and some items will be thrown away. We are anticipating this project to take about one hour...and we could use your help. :)
Week of October 30 - November 5
This week:
Welcome, Gurn Kelly, to the Design and Build Team. Gurn has accepted the position of Owner Representative, as we move from the Remodel Phase to the Build Phase. The role of the Owner Representative is to represent The Bridge Church NW as we work with the City of Tualatin, our General Contractor, the finance company and other entities. Gurn's years of leadership, organization and managing of large scale projects suits him perfectly for this vital role with the church family. We are excited to move forward as we stay committed to creating a Ministry Center that is well suited for God's Kingdom expansion work!
Remodel completion date is coming soon! This includes the install of new west side windows above the awning and completion of west side siding and entrance decor.
Meetings are now being organized with the Build and Design Team and Finance Team as we work through:
Build options
Capital Giving Campaign timelines
Financing options
Week of October 23 - 29
This Week:
Flooring and baseboards were completed in Tech Room and stair entryway
Climate Control system was installed and works beautifully!
Final bills are coming in. Remodel Phase will total just over $300,000.
Remodel completion date has been set, which includes install of new west side windows above the awning and completion of west side siding and entrance decor. - Week of November 13-17
Meetings will now be organized with the Build and Design Team and Finance Team as we work through:
Financing options
Capital Giving Campaign timelines
Build options from here
Week of October 16 - 22
This Week:
The interior of the Worship Center experienced a big boost this week! Painting has been completed and the floor has been put into place.
The semi-permanent set up of the Worship Center was completed Friday evening, in preparation for a wonderful Sunday morning of worship!
Next week we will update the church family on the financial plan moving forward and what the updated exterior of the the Worship Center entry will look like.
Week of October 9 - 15
This Week:
The interior of the Worship Center received it's facelift with drywall being completed.
Painting has begun in the Worship Center...and flooring will be installed next week.
Property surveying began this week as we prep for meetings with the City of Tualatin.
Week of October 2 - 8:
It has been another week of movement:
Heaters are up and running in our offices and classrooms.
TV's are up and running in our offices and classrooms.
The Church Office, Meeting Room, Toddlers Room and Youth Room are all set up. We have our Elementary Room and Prayer Room still to finish.
The new store front/entry on the west side has been installed.
The new awning has been installed on the west side.
Interior finishes are almost completed in the Worship Center.
Painting and the Worship Center floor is scheduled to go in next week!
Week of September 25 - October 1:
Quick Update:
Some movement took place this week as drywall, mudding, sanding and priming has been completed in the Worship Center.
Minor demo has begin on the outside entry.
This upcoming week ought to be a big week as we see:
Worship Center interior painted
Complete demo of outside entry
Installation of new windows on west side of Ministry Center
Installation of new glass entryway for west side of Ministry Center
Installation of new wood awning for west side of Ministry Center
To God Be ALL of the Glory!
Week of September 18 - 24:
So much good news...it's hard to contain all of the excitement:
Permits have all been approved for this remodel phase...as of THIS Saturday morning!
Fiber Optic line has been reinstalled as of Friday afternoon. As of THIS Saturday afternoon, WIFI has been restored to the building. This week our tech team will focus on marrying all aspects of technology and communication in the building.
Renderings of the Build phase have been delivered. Above, you will see a visualization of the Ministry Center and property, focused on the NW entry. This is not a final drawing, but more of a conceptual look at what has been discussed over the last several months. More information will be coming out very soon. In the meantime, please be praying over these next steps as we simultaneously finish the remodel of the current building AND work with the City of Tualatin, Solomon Foundation and our Bridge family to navigate each exciting next step. One thing we have undoubtably noticed is that God's timing has been perfect in every circumstance.
Successful Blood Drive - WOW! Again, so many thanks goes out to Evolve Remodel for preparing the Worship Center to be used in it's basic form to meet a community need this last Tuesday...and goodness, did the Bridge family step up! The Red Cross collected 25 units of blood (7 over their stated goal). We had 22 blood donors, with 2 first time donors. The Red Cross was so impressed with the love and care of the Bridge family, that they will be increasing the size of this drive as we become one of the most impactful blood drives in the local area. Next Blood Drive is scheduled for Tuesday, December 19
Beginning THIS Tuesday, the Ministry Center will be hosting Rooted! See this eNewsletter for more information about this impactful ministry opportunity.
Prayer Request: The lead architect for The Bridge Church NW Build and Design project is facing some concerning moments with his family. While working diligently yesterday with the City of Tualatin to get our permits finalized, he was at the ER with his daughter, who has now been admitted to the hospital as she struggles to battle a very bad case of pneumonia. Please be praying for complete healing and that he will see God move miraculously in this very scary moment.
*Side note: it shouldn't be lost on us as a church family how much Satan is fighting to slow or even stop this remodel and build project. We have seen our General Contactor admitted to the ER multiple times with complications from back surgery that took place when we started this project; We have now seen our lead architect fight the arrows of the evil one with the illness of his daughter that has now turned serious; We have seen one of our Partnership Team members, Sean Thome, wrestle with significant back problems that now will lead him into back fusion surgery during October; We have seen lengthy delays in permitting due to major illnesses and complications within the offices of The City of Tualatin; We have seen fiber optic lines inadvertently ripped out of the ground by construction work not affiliated with us. YET, in all of it, we have seen God move. We have seen His mighty healing hand. We have seen His timing be perfect. We have watched His ministry impact grow through The Bridge Church NW. We MUST choose to be bold and courageous for His Kingdom expansion sake. Satan is attacking (and he will continue to)...but we know that God wins. This is such an impactful time for His work through each of us, that our prayer continues to be that you don't give up...but instead you double down and recommit to serving well, worshipping well and growing intentionally well in Him.
To God Be ALL of the Glory!
Week of September 11 - 17:
This week, there are three quick categories of updates:
Praise the Lord...Our Mechanical Permit was approved and we passed inspection this week. This allows for us to begin finishing the ceiling with insulation/soundproofing and drywall. We are still waiting for the building permit to be approved so that we can begin the remaining work on the Worship Center.
We are still in a holding pattern with Internet. There has been debate with the firber optic company concerning where to run the new line. Prayerfully this topic has been resolved and work will begin next week. In the meantime, we have been utilizing home offices to accomplish the needs of The Bridge Church NW.
Thank you to Nick and Bonnie Parsons! They have worked hard this week prepping the yard for our outdoor Worship Gathering.
Week of September 4 - 10:
This week, there are three quick categories of updates:
The upstairs classrooms and office space is virtually finished. Now the set up begins of each of these rooms this week.
We are still waiting on 2 of 3 permits (Mechanical and Building). Due to the extensive delay, the Worship Center is in a holding pattern until the permits are approved by the City of Tualatin.
Tech Update: Due to the heroic efforts of Peter Shearer, Ethan Uebel and Cade Johnson, the entire Ministry Center is wired up! We have tech and cabling in every room and space needed to teach and share the good news of Jesus. :) On the flip side of that coin...we are waiting for the repairs to the fiber optic lines for the Ministry Center. We have come to find out that during the road construction the City of Tualatin was engaged in on SW Boones Ferry Road, in front of the property, they ripped out the fiber optic lines to the Ministry Center. :( Ziply has been informed and will be looking to reroute new lines in the next week or so.
Week of August 28 - September 3:
Week of August 21 - 27:
Suffice to say...God REALLY moved this week!
We not only packed up the entire Wilsonville Ministry Center, but we also moved everything! Unbelievable what can be done in 4 days of work with SO MANY of you coming out to serve. It is a testament to your heart and how God is working in you and through you. Well done Bridge Family.
We do have a few odds and ends left over that we will not need at the Tualatin Ministry Center. Some items include: sounds system equipment, lighting, refrigerator, wood, etc. We will be sending an email out in the next day or so inviting you, or someone you know, to come and peruse the pile. This will take place on Tuesday at the Wilsonville Ministry Center from 4 PM - 7 PM.
It has also been a productive week at the Tualatin Ministry Center:
Lighting has been installed upstairs in the hallways, classrooms and office spaces
Lighting has been installed in the Worship Center
Flooring has been installed upstairs
Stairwell handrail has been installed
Wainscoting is being installed in stairwell area
Electrical Permit has been granted and we passed our inspection
An 8'x40' storage container was delivered on property for us to store stage, lighting, furniture and chairs.
We are now waiting for 2 other permits pending, which effect the install of the HVAC system and the buildout of the new store front. Please be praying that these permits are granted first of the week!
This week the work upstairs wraps up in the office spaces and classrooms.
This week in the Worship Center, soundproofing in the ceiling and the ceiling itself get installed.
This week, install of communication cabling begins.
Week of August 14 - 20:
I was going back through the calendar over the last couple of years...what an amazing two years God has blessed The Bridge Church NW with. Even with that being said, it feels like we are just beginning and on the cusp of remarkable, Kingdom moving moments.
Two years ago this week, we moved into our current Wilsonville property as we began to navigate our way out of the Covid pandemic. It was a massive leap of faith for a very young church plant that really had less than a year under our belts with in-person gatherings of any kind! At the same time, Stephanie and I mourned the loss of our bother-in-law from Covid and walked with my family through memorial and graveside services.
One year ago this week, Stephanie, myself and The Bridge Family engaged in our first Prayer Walk in Springfield, MA with The Gathering (our first church plant) as they began putting the pieces together that will lead to their launch this October!
This week, we hosted our next set of church planters, the Ziolkowski's, who are looking to plant in the Portland Metro area. Suffice to say...the second week in August is turning out to be a powerful week in Kingdom work here at The Bridge Church NW!
Tomorrow, Sunday, August 20, is our last In-Person Worship Gathering at the Wilsonville Ministry Center. Our hope and prayer is that you come celebrate with us one last time at 10:30 AM as we remember many of the great moments God has allowed us to be a part of.
And now comes another pivotal moment for The Bridge Church NW Family...packing and moving weeks! This is an "all-hands-on-deck" moment. I have been blessed to hear from so many of you who have said..."we are all in and want to help". That is so exciting...AND WE COULD USE YOUR HELP! The focus of this week: August 21 - 26 is packing and staging to move. We have 4 packing times to choose from:
Monday, August 21: 6 PM - 9 PM
Wednesday. August 23: 6 PM - 9 PM
Friday, August 25: 6 PM - 9 PM
Saturday, August 26: 9 AM - 3 PM
Sunday, August 27, we will not be meeting In-Person at the Wilsonville Ministry Center. We will however be meeting at our regular worship time of 10:30 AM at the Tualatin Property. We will engage in a time of devotion and prayer, and then navigate as "called out people" to walk the surrounding neighborhoods and pray.
The week of August 28 - September 1, we will coordinate the BIG MOVE. Watch for more details in the eNewsletter next Saturday!
Week of August 7 - 13:
Phase 1 documents have been submitted to the City of Tualatin for the Build updates. The city has requested additional documentation, which we have addressed through our architect. Additional plans are being submitted at the end of next week.
The permit for the west store front update and awning is still in review. Pray for that to be permitted next week and work can begin on the new store front.
Electricians have been setting in new lighting in the Worship Center and creating space in our breaker panel. Electrician inspection is set for 8-17. New lights for upstairs, sound room and stairwell are due in next week and will be installed when they arrive.
Upstairs walls and ceilings have been painted.
This upcoming week: Flooring, wainscoting in the stairwell and installation of the new handrail will take place.
July 31 - August 6:
Waiting on permit from City of Tualatin
HVAC tubing installed
Taping and mudding of walls continued
Downstairs ceiling being installed with sound proofing
Updated electrical circuits
Stay tuned for updated time periods for tear down of Wilsonville property as well as potential move dates. This will be an "all hands on deck" opportunity for The Bridge Family. We are praying that you will be able to find time to engage and help in many of these next steps as we prepare for September.
July 24 - 30:
With about 5 weeks remaining before the move, Evolve Remodel continues to make great progress. Below you will see some of the work inside the building, as well as the work the City of Tualatin is performing in front of the Tualatin property.
This week these projects have been tackled:
Removal of all fluorescent lighting
Installation of sheetrock as well as mudding and taping of walls and ceilings
Installation of new hand rails for inside stairway
Wiring conduit set in place
Weeding of beds, trimming of hedges and clean up work outside (*grateful for all who are volunteering this morning at the Tualatin property)
July 17 - 23:
Our General Contractor and his team have been hard at work this week with:
Final clean up
Removing popcorn ceilings
Prepping walls and floor
Installing a large beam for new entry header
Securing initial designs
Submitting for necessary permits as we look to refurbish the front entry of the Ministry Center and make the downstairs bathroom ADA compliant.
Please keep in prayer the permitting process with the City of Tualatin that there are not too many "asks" of us in this remodel process and that we can continue to move forward in a timely manner.
July 10 - 16:
Update from our General Contractor:
Where we stand eight weeks out on remodel portion:
Complete demo of all areas affected
Open area created for children’s check and parent connect
Large window framed in new wall
Cannot cost effectively install windows next to doors(tons of electrical in conduit which makes moving it out of the way a huge chore). Will work on other solutions.
Pods loaded with items being saved from church
Electrical relocated into new wall upstairs
Beam installed over entry for new store front glass.
New handrail's being fabricated and hopefully installed next week.
This coming week we will be working on drywall, cleaning up some of the walls and ceilings. Electrical moving forward for lighting and access.
Working to submit for plans on remodel items needing permitting this week.
Update on Phase One for addition:
We're moving along through the process with the city quite nicely other than they were closed two days last week. I should have some solid answers this week in wrapping up Phase One and being able to dig into what we're really going to be able to accomplish in the end.
Matt Post
Evolve Remodel
JULY 3 - 9:
God is surely on the move. Over the next few weeks, we are excited to share with you the movements of God as it pertains to the Ministry Center remodel in Tualatin through picture and word. However, even during this very busy moment of working on a physical budling...our focus at The Bridge Church NW is to partner with Jesus in His Kingdom expansion work. Those incredible moments will also be shared over the next few weeks in this eNewsletter as we celebrate God's Wins!
Below you will find various snapshots of information. All are designed to give you a better framework of how this ministry project is moving forward. Over the last few months, we knew that we had some deadlines in front of us:
Current Lease at the Wilsonville property ends August 31, 2023
Design, Build & Move in next two years.
Knowing those two deadlines, we focused on both simultaneously. Negotiating an extension to the current lease that would afford us two more years at the current Wilsonville property, all the while engaging in the process of hiring a General Contractor and begin conversations with the City of Tualatin. Hiring a General Contractor came easy to us as we have been blessed to have Matt Post and his family as a part of The Bridge family for the last couple of years. His company, Evolve Remodel, has led the task of some construction work in our current location and they are known for their excellent work in refurbishing church properties. With the recommendation of our Design & Build Team, our Partnership Team (official Bridge Leadership Team) approved the hiring of Evolve Remodel and Matt Post as the GC.
Now came the task of negotiating an extension to the current lease that would provide us a home base during the 2 year construction phase. Those negotiations ended Friday, June 23 when LBA (the company that owns the Wilsonville property) submitted their final lease extension proposal, which was a 3-year extension and a 30% increase in base rent. In the end, we believed this would not be good stewards of the resources God is blessing The Bridge with, so we denied the extension proposal and pivoted.
That pivot had to come quickly! A new plan had to be developed within the week. At this same time, Evolve Remodel had submitted their 10 Phase/2-Year Plan for the Design & Build of the Tualatin property. Phase 1 could begin immediately, which encompasses property studies, hiring of an architect and formal meetings with the City of Tualatin and the community at large. This Phase 1 would take up to 4 weeks. BUT, now we needed to add the potential of some sort of remodel to help us move back into the Tualatin property by September 1! Evolve said they were up to the task and would work with us to make this happen. We contacted Solomon Foundation (our Financial/Investment Resource) and they too noted they will work with us to make this happen. Side note, you will have the opportunity to learn more about Solomon Foundation on Sunday, August 20 during our Worship Gathering. :)
In the end, even though this is a great endeavor, we are seeing so many positives. One of them being the financial savings of $8,000 - $9,000 per month beginning September 1. No more lease payment, no more double bills (utilities, garbage, insurance, internet, etc). All of these savings can be used for the current work taking place and Kingdom expansion projects that are coming down the pipe in the near future.
Speaking of finances, there is a great financial cost to this project. This 60-Day remodel will cost around $260,000. These ARE expenses we would have incurred in the Build Phase, but have now come a lot faster. We do have resources set aside ($100k private donation to The Bridge; $150k of THCC undesignated funds that have been designated for the Build Project) that have been invested at Solomon Foundation. Solomon Foundation is now working with us to help free up those resources and more if needed to move this project forward.
So, what is being done at the Tualatin Property:
The entire inside of the building is getting a facelift: new flooring, lighting, technology, ceilings, and paint.
The exterior will be transformed in phases as we progress through the 2-Year Build, but in the next 60-Days we will be updating the front entrance (west side) with new doors, windows, overhang, etc.
Landscaping will be addressed as we clean, update and replant as needed.
New signage
As we progress though this remodel, please feel free to reach out to Bob Johnson, Lead Pastor, if you have any questions. Also (and most imporantly), please keep in prayer all of the movement that is taking place at The Bridge Church NW. We know that we are in God's hands. We are truly being bold and courageous. And we cannot wait to see God perform great signs, miracles and wonders through this process, especially as our neighbors watch the progress and become intrigued!
Below you will find a Timline of Events, Quick Facts and those who are leading various teams vital in this Design & Build.
Recent Timeline:
March 21: Began Design & Build Discussions / Formed D & B Team
March 25: First meeting with Solomon Foundation (Financial/Investment Resource for Restoration Movement Churches)
April 2: Legacy Sunday
April 9: Easter Sunday - New Life Celebration
April 18: Financial Application process started with Solomon Foundation
April/May/June: Background studies & research / Initial meetings with D & B Team and City of Tualatin / Organization of 10 phases / On-sight meeting with Solomon Foundation
June: Investment of $100,000 (personal gift to The Bridge) in Solomon Foundation Savings Account / Investment of $150k (undesignated resources from THCC) in Solomon Foundation 6-Month CD
June 22: Hired General Contractor & signed initial contract for Phases 1 & 2
June 23: Lease Negotiations with LBA (leasing company of Wilsonville space) ended
June 26: Began engineering studies of Tualatin property - Phase 1
June 30: Began 60 Day Remodel (due to current lease ending August 31, 2023)
July 2: Announcement to Bridge Family
August: Designs of building addition being worked on
Quick Facts:
Phase 1 of 10 - $21,000 (paid) / We are currently in Phase 1 of the D & B
60-Day Remodel - $260,000 / Not orginally part of the "10 Phases"
Church Picnic @ Tualatin Property - Sunday, August 13
Last Worship Gathering @ Wilsonville Property - Sunday, August 20
No In-Person Worship Gathering: Sunday, August 27 & Sunday, September 3
Grand Opening: Sunday, September 10
Design & Build Team:
Matt Post (Evolve Remodeling) - General Contractor
Jana Anderson - Children's & Classrooms
Stephanie Johnson - Children's, Youth, First Impressions
Jim Forsyth - Electrician
Peter Shearer - Worship & Technology
Steve Lee
Mike Whited
Cade Johnson
Finance Team:
Nick Parsons
Narciso Ramirez
Ian Campbell
May we also give a shout out to some who have been working hard behind the scenes this week: LaCinda Kelly, Bonnie Parsons, Stephanie Johnson, Gurn Kelly & Nick Parsons. They have spent numerous hours over on the Tualatin Property going through all of the contents of the building. Thank you so much for dedicating so much time and energy in helping move this remodel forward.
Lastly, what has been so exciting, is watching the giftedness of so many rise to the occasion. Whether it is in this building project, or leading Life Groups, or setting out signage, or cleaning the current Ministry Center, or teaching youth classes, or taking us to the throne of God in worship, or engaging in our Bridge Moblize opportunities in the community, or...the list goes on and on...you have heard the call, met the need and are actively participating in driving this ministry forward. It is so good!
Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord, give praise, O servants of the Lord,
2 who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant! - Psalm 135:1-3
We cannot wait to worship again, or for the first time, at the Tualatin Property in Septemeber. There are amazing people here at The Bridge driving this forward. Please, please pray! Please be an encourager. Please don't keep this silent...we are so excited to share this place with a broken and busy world, who need to know Jesus!
