Wisconsin—The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., was held Apr. 27. David Guerrero, pastor, offered opening prayer and spoke a few words. He said, "We need to keep our focus on God so that we do not labor in vain as we build this house of God, which will be for all people to worship in. I want all the people of this community to feel embraced."

Don Corkum, Wisconsin Conference president, added, "We want this to be a ministry base for all in the community and an outreach for many."

Also in attendance was the Wisconsin Rapids mayor, Mary Jo Carson; Roger Driver, Wisconsin Conference secretary/treasurer; Darwin Dittburner and Fred Miller, church members with construction companies who are heading up the project; Darrell Kasner, Building Committee chairperson; Ben and Shirley Moore, who donated the land; several church members and others involved in the project.

The old church was listed and sold within 12 days, and things moved along quickly. An interim church was needed and provided by members Fred and Sandy Miller, who had a large, new building on their property in Nekoosa where we now worship every Sabbath morning.

About 70 percent of the total construction cost has been donated, according to Fred Miller. Clearing for the parking lot and the church continues, and the foundation will be started soon. "June 26, we plan to start the framing. We expect to be in the church by the end of October," said Fred Miller.

Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries (ASI) is sending representatives to prepare the area before the church opens so we can launch right into community outreach as soon as possible. We will offer a variety of programs: cooking classes, health and wellness seminars, counseling, Bible studies, and an evangelistic series, etc.

Our old church was not handicap accessible and was too small to accommodate large programs. With 10,000 square feet, the new church will give us the room we need to develop any programs we wish. The church will be located at 611 24th Street No., Wisconsin Rapids.

Rhonda Whetstone Neibauer, Wisconsin Rapids Church communications secretary