DULUTH - Georgia Baptist Convention employees joined with workers constructing the new Baptist Center in a show of appreciation at a Topping Out ceremony and luncheon held on site July 22.

One show of gratitude came when GBC employees handed out Bibles to construction workers. Copies of the Holman Christian Standard Bible were passed out to English-speaking workers while Bibles in Spanish were presented to Hispanics.

The state headquarters, which will be located near the Sugarloaf Parkway Interchange at Interstate 85 in Gwinnett County, is slated to be completed in April 2006.

"The Topping Out ceremony - held when the top of the building is completed - was for recognizing God's blessing in that not a single injury has occurred during construction," said GBC Executive Director J. Robert White.

The five-story structure, constructed by the firm Seibert and Son, will house 180 Atlanta-based employees in 150,000 square feet.

At the event, GBC employees and construction workers enjoyed a cookout inside the structure, which still lacks interior walls. After eating, GBC staff were allowed to tour the building.

The new location will be about seven miles north of the Baptist Center's current site near the Interstate 85 and 285 interchange in north Atlanta.

Lowery Farley of Seibert and Son said construction is on schedule to complete curbs, gutters, paving, sidewalks and the parking deck by the end of the month. Dry-in of the windows, roof and brick should be finished by October.