Groundbreaking ushers in new era in Georgia Baptist ministry

DULUTH — Georgia Baptists gathered in the heart of one of the state’s fastest growing counties on March 16 to break ground for a new Baptist Center.

But the emphasis was less on the raising of a new structure and more on the ministries that would flow out of the building to more effectively win the state and, ultimately, the world to faith in Christ.

The groundbreaking near the Sugarloaf Interchange at Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County came one day after four Southern Baptist workers were gunned down in a drive-by shooting in Mosul, Iraq. The individuals, two from North Carolina, one from California, and one from Texas, were providing humanitarian aid to the war-torn nation.

Observers at the ceremony remarked that the killings underscored the need for an even stronger Christian presence in the world. That presence will be strengthened by individuals who come to faith in Christ and are called to take their place alongside missionaries worldwide – including those who have fallen as martyrs.

The new Baptist Center will play a crucial role in the calling out of those individuals and helping churches and associations to equip them for a lifetime of service in Georgia and on mission fields around the world.

“God has blessed us”

GBC Executive Director J. Robert White, in making his report to members of the Executive Committee gathered at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, repeated a litany of ways God intervened to provide the land and up to one-half of the funds for construction against staggering odds.

“God has blessed us in numerous ways, including allowing this to occur in a business environment which has brought about historically low interest rates. The business climate could not be better for Georgia Baptists than at this hour,” he told the crowded room.

“It’s truly a time for rejoicing.”

White set the tone for the meeting by stating “What we’re building here with bricks and mortar is not as important as the ministries which will come out of this physical structure. Because of the more efficient manner in which we will be able to operate, even greater numbers of men and women, boys and girls, will come to faith in Christ in the coming years.”

White said four years ago to the month, in March 2000 when the relocation study committee began to consider sites for the new building, the idea of moving to the fast-growing Sugarloaf Parkway area was out of the question due to high costs and limited availability of land. But after 200 sites were considered, God intervened to allow the various parcels, totaling 38.8 acres, to be purchased at highly favorable rates.

James Siebert of Siebert & Son, relocation project developer, echoed White’s statement about the location of the new building at the corner of Satellite Boulevard and Sugarloaf Parkway at what has become known as Gwinnett Center.

“This site is located at the epicenter of what will occur in Gwinnett County for the next 30-40 years. The growth in this area is phenomenal and shows no sign of slowing down,” he told Executive Committee members.

White said the Convention has nearly half of the funds to begin construction on the facility, which will cost about $30,000,000. Siebert said the cost is hoped to be reduced through gifts-in-kind donations of plumbing, carpeting, or other construction materials.

The Convention raised $12,000,000 of the cost from the sale of the current Baptist Center to Mercer University in August 2003. White mentioned that the relocation has progressed without expending any Cooperative Program funds.

The five-story structure, whose new address will be 6455 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth, will house 180 Atlanta-based employees in 150,000-square-feet when it is completed in early 2006. The current five-story building at 2930 Flowers Rd. South in Atlanta houses a similar number of employees. The 144,000 square-foot building on 26 acres was occupied in October 1975.

The first floor of the new building will house common areas including an auditorium seating 205 which can be expanded to accommodate 250 individuals, conference rooms, a cafeteria that can seat 300, and a museum. The exterior of the structure will be primarily red brick with cut stone accents.

White said construction is expected to begin in the Fall and will take about 18 months. The building is hoped to be occupied in the Spring of 2006 with an open house scheduled for November when the GBC hosts the annual state convention meeting across the street at the Gwinnett Arena.

“More than just an office building”

“This will be more than just an office building,” White continued. “We want people who visit the Baptist Center to sense the presence of the Lord as soon as they set foot on the property. That impression will be strengthened as they enter the front door and see the Christian symbolism and imagery throughout the lobby area.

“The first floor will have two lobbies, one at the front and the second directly across the hall overlooking the lake. The first lobby will symbolize the Old Covenant and will have a dome painted to depict the creation of the world and the separation between day and night. We hope to have a Ten Commandments monument on permanent display, symbolizing the Law as given to Moses.

“Looking just beyond that area, visitors will see a beautiful life-size sculpture of Jesus seated with children on his lap, symbolizing the amazing love and grace of our Lord. The sculpture will reside in the Acts 1:8 lobby, with its theme of the New Covenant and its emphasis on missions and the carrying of the gospel throughout the world.

The state executive also referred to the prophecy in Jer. 31:31-34 which distinguishes the difference between the Old and New Covenants which is represented in the two lobbies.

White said the state-of-the-art building will enable employees to perform their jobs more effectively as they work to provide Georgia Baptist churches with the resources and training to reach their communities for Christ.

In addition to sharing a neighborhood with a variety of new high-profile office buildings and hotels, the new Baptist Center will be adjacent to Cross Pointe, the Church at Gwinnett Center, founded former SBC president and Snellville First Church pastor James Merritt.

Joe Westbury

GBC Executive Director J. Robert White raises a shovel to signify the groundbreaking that was about to begin for the new Baptist Center in Gwinnett County. White termed the historic event “a time for rejoicing.”

The five-story Baptist Center, seen from the lakeside, will feature a primarily brick exterior with cut stone accents. Twelve columns will represent the Twelve Apostles and will be the first of several spiritual images incorporated into the structure. The building, similar in size to the current structure, is expected to be ready for occupancy in the Spring of 2006.

Joe Westbury

“What we’re building here with bricks and mortar is not as important as the ministries which will come out of this physical structure. Because of the more efficient manner in which we will be able to operate, even greater numbers ... will come to faith in Christ in the coming years.”

Joe Westbury

Before the day was over, more than 24 officials had broken ground at the site. Shown at the second ceremony are, left to right, Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Jim Maran; GBC Fourth Vice President Gary Morton, minister of music at Second Baptist Church of Warner Robins; GBC Third Vice President Don Hattaway, pastor of Tabernacle Church of Cartersville; GBC First Vice President and West Metro Associational Missionary Terry Braswell Sr. of Austell; GBC Second Vice President Jerry Speer, pastor of Northside Church of Columbus; GBC President Tony Dickerson, pastor of Pinehurst Church in Columbus; First Lady Mary Perdue; GBC Executive Director J. Robert White; GBC Executive Committee Chairman Danny Watters, pastor of Beulah Church in Douglasville; Robert Anderson, consultant with Church-Minister Relations for the GBC; Lucy Henry, administrative secretary with Sunday School/Open Group Ministries of the GBC; and GBC Attorney Tom Duvall.

Joe Westbury

Robert Anderson, representing GBC specialists and consultants, said “May the Lord prepare us as He prepares this building for His glory, encouraging healthy kingdom churches to help bring in His kingdom.”

Joe Westbury

“In a day of darkness the light needs to be set on a hill. In a time of decadence and proliferation of sin, in a time when same sex marriages are being debated, God has chosen to take a prime location in this high profile state to make a significant statement. ‘I am going to place my light on the hill that cannot be hidden.’"

Joe Westbury

Georgia First Lady Mary Perdue, center, visits with Janice White, right, wife of GBC Executive Director J. Robert White, prior to addressing the crowd at the groundbreaking. Perdue, representing Georgia Baptists, said the new site will provide a beacon of light to a state beset with problems which only Christ can solve. She briefly detailed a new partnership between Georgia Woman’s Missionary Union and Women’s Enrichment Minsitries, and the Minister’s Wives fellowship, to provide support for the state’s abused and neglected children. Named “Our Children Campaign,” the effort is enlisting the help of faith-based and other community groups to come to the aid of children throughout Georgia. For more information individuals can call 1 (866) 786-6661 or visit the Web site at www.gov.state.ga.us and click on the link to “First Lady’s Our Children Campaign.”

Joe Westbury

Lucy Henry, representing GBC support staff, said she has observed much change in her 15 years with the state convention. But such change is good because of the new perspective it gives as employees reevaluate their ministries. “We are up to the challenges which God has for each of us,” she added.

Joe Westbury

“I’m proud to be a Georgia Baptist and I’m thankful to God for His leading the Study Committee to this wonderful spot to continue His ministry.”