Mennonite Weekly Review

ELKHART, Ind. — Approval to proceed with construction of a Mennonite Church USA office building in Elkhart came Feb. 20 with $2.15 million still needed to fully fund construction.

Three MC USA boards — the Executive Board, the Mennonite Education Agency board and the Mennonite Mission Network board — affirmed proceeding with construction adjacent to the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary campus.

Since September 2006, supporters have given $10.3 million to the campaign. Mission Network ministries received $5.35 million of that amount.

The $10.3 million includes $4.5 million toward the capital goal of $6.65 million. Campaign staff and volunteers are seeking support from congregations and members to meet this goal.

The recommendation presented to the boards concluded that there is a need for less expensive and more functional office space for staff in Elkhart and that the plan to build a new facility adjacent to the AMBS campus is a logical solution.

While the number of offices needed in the future is uncertain, the new facility would meet current needs with flexibility and capacity for expansion.

Other economic realities factored into the decision. Award-ing construction contracts in the current economic climate will be less costly than initially expected.

Although the potential to raise the additional $2.15 million needed to fully fund the project exists, MC USA will borrow $1.5 million if needed.

If the loan were repaid from operating funds over 10 years, the cost of the new building would still be less per year than current facility payments.

MC USA anticipates continued improvement in the ability to work with dispersed staff, but it is still less costly to keep core support and leadership functions in a centralized location.

Mission Network and Executive Leadership staff are currently located in dozens of communities across the United States and around the world. Continuing a combination of fixed support centers and dispersed staff is an effective model for the future, church leaders believe.

Construction is set to begin after a June 15 ceremony to bless the ground.