Storm clouds threatened to delay what volunteers hoped to accomplish the first day of the Princeton Project—building a new church in just 21 days for a small congregation 90 miles west of Chicago.
Although it rained all around the church property that day, it did not rain on the project until workers were finished for the day! Even visitors present that day realized how miraculous it was for rain to pour all around the construction site. This was just one more miracle in a series of miracles for this small group in their quest for a new church building.
Other miracles followed. Just a couple of days later the kitchen crew had special prayer, concerned for the safety of men working on the rafters. Their prayers were answered and the wind calmed, keeping the volunteers safe.
Fred Miller, an Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) member from Madison, Wisconsin, and Andy Peterson, a Maranatha volunteer and member from Hinsdale, Illinois, organized and coordinated the project. Their wives, Sandy and Bunny, served three meals a day for all the volunteers at the work site for more than 21 days.
Walter Wright, Lake Union Conference president, said, "I wanted to participate in the Princeton Project because I needed to see, hear, and experience first-hand the excitement of a new church building under construction. It took me back to some wonderful memories of building our church in Columbus, Ohio. I knew there would be a 'can-do' attitude, and I wanted to be a part of it." He added, "It was a joy to be part of a crew where no one had status, position, or title."
Students and Pathfinders from a number of church schools and churches in Illinois came to help build the new church. They also went into the community to distribute thousands of Ten Commandments Twice Removed books.
Church members did not wait until their new building was done to begin to witness in their community. On May 2, they started an evangelistic series. Their pastor, Mike Weakley, and a Bible worker provided by ASI, Katrina Lubinski, took turns presenting the nightly messages.
After three very busy weeks, the first service was held in the new church building. A special communion service was conducted for the members and volunteers. On Sabbath, May 20, there were more than 80 people who attended the first church service in the new building.
For a number of years, a little white church was passed around to the members each Sabbath to collect funds for a new church. It was passed around one more time at that service. The offering collected that Sabbath totaled a little more than $600. At the fellowship potluck following the service, guests donated additional money to bring the total amount raised that day to $1,000.
Princeton members continue to put on the finishing touches of their new church, i.e., paint, trim, steps, and siding. They are also following up on the Bible studies started during the series of meetings.
On June 17, upon the completion of their baptistry, two people were baptized into this new church (see page four). It was appropriate that the miracle of spiritual birth took place at the end of their project, a miracle that will happen again and again as they "Touch Every One for Jesus" in Princeton.
As all building projects go, expenses seem to take on their own momentum. After the volunteers packed up their tools and equipment and headed home, there was still some work to do. Members were concerned about how they were going to handle the payments on funds borrowed for the project. Hang on for one more miracle! At a meeting in mid-July, Sandy Miller, Lake Union ASI president, ASI officers, along with Viorel Catarama, Illinois member and former Lake Union ASI president, delivered a check to the church members for $31,000!
Members are thankful for the blessings they received from ASI, Maranatha, the Illinois Conference, and each person who gave their time, talents, and resources to make their dream of a new church in Princeton come true.
Rachel Terwillegar is the Illinois Conference assistant to the president for communication.
