Article Archive

OFFICE MOVE UPDATE #2

Since our last update on TTW's office move much has happened, and much remains to be done. What follows is an update, from our grateful hearts, on what the Lord has done and is doing.

 

April 14, 2021

Dear Friends,

Since our last update on TTW's office move much has happened, and much remains to be done. What follows is an update, from our grateful hearts, on what the Lord has done and is doing.

God's Providence on Moving Day

The move of our office furniture, equipment, and contents occurred safely on Tuesday, March 30. Thank you for praying about this. Once again, the Lord's hand was clearly evident. The City of Westminster government, the largest tenant in our former building, had been scheduled to completely move out on the Thursday and Friday before our move. On the following Monday (the 29th) we saw that the city's move was far from complete. I mentioned to one of the city office workers that TTW would be moving the next day - fully taking up the parking lot with moving vans.

About an hour later the city manager (head of the city government) came into my office. She said that the city was also planning to complete its move the next day - and they would also have moving vans in the parking lot! We both realized this would not work. All those trucks could not fit in the lot at the same time, and both moving companies would be competing for the same single stairway and elevator. Without hesitation, the city manager said, "Let me call our moving company and see if they can postpone our move by one day. I do not want to interfere with what you have planned. I want your move to have the priority."

Rescheduling a major move on just a few hours' notice is almost unheard of. If we had to reschedule our move, the moving company would charge us a penalty for cancellation. We quickly prayed that the Lord would work this out for His glory, and for our best. About an hour later the city manager called me to say she had made all the arrangements to postpone the city's move by one day. The city, not TTW, would bear the expense of a delayed moved. "And," she said, "I've already told the police department to put 'no parking' signs throughout the parking lot so that nothing will interfere with your movers." I thanked her - and told her what an answer to prayer this was. 

 Office Move 01Office Move 02Office Move 03

Renovations Underway

Contracts for needed demolition and renovation work were signed last week, and the work began on Friday the 9th. This is a later start than we had hoped for, but God willing, all should be finished by the end of April. Contractors are compressing schedules as much as they can to help us - painting beginning in one renovated area while construction and electrical work proceed in the next, and flooring work scheduled as tightly as possible behind those operations.

  Manchester Renovation 01Manchester Renovation 02Manchester Renovation 03

New Maryland building code and fire code requirements, and some unexpected discoveries during demolition in two areas, are adding to the costs. The building owner is covering some of those costs, such as replacing failed hot water heaters, but the rest will fall on TTW.

The Lord has marvelously provided for the financial needs of this move through the kindness and generosity of you, His people. We originally estimated the total cost at $22,000. The final figure, based on actual contracts and purchase orders, will be $23,900. To date the Lord has provided $21,570 through gifts from 37 individuals and churches in four countries - the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Korea. By faith we rest in His provision for the remainder, in His time and in His way.

If the Lord leads, we would be grateful for your gifts toward the remaining need. You can give online by credit card or PayPal via this link. If you prefer, our mailing address is P. O. Box 2533, Westminster, Maryland 21158 USA. Or you can call us toll-free in the U.S. and Canada at 888-804-9655.

The Chimes

From the time we first visited what is now our new "wilderness encampment" we were delighted to enjoy chimes sounding forth from somewhere in the town of Manchester, playing the great hymns of the faith. One evening after we closed for the night we drove through the town with car windows down, to try to pinpoint the source. We found that the hymns emanate from the bell tower of a very old, and very liberal, Lutheran church less than half a mile away.Manchester Bell Tower 01

It is ironic that this church sounds forth great hymns that are all too rare in Bible-believing churches today - those of Isaac Watts, the Wesleys, John Newton, Samuel Davies, William Cowper, Augustus Toplady, and many others. Yesterday morning as I moved furniture and boxes I heard, in succession, "Great God of Wonders" - "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" - and, "I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me". 

What a great encouragement this has been. And what a great irony that these hymns of Biblical truth should sound forth from the bell tower of a church in a liberal denomination where many of those great doctrines - including the virgin birth of Christ, His substitutionary atonement as full and final payment for sin, justification by faith alone apart from works, and Christ's sovereign rule over all things - are commonly denied. This great dichotomy is convicting: TeachingTheWord's testimony "for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ" is a grave responsibility, and we pray that we may never fail in it. Your flood of prayer and outpouring of financial support also remind us of the depth of our responsibility to remain faithful in the work of this worldwide ministry. 

Our Deep Gratitude

Once again, let me emphasize how grateful we are for continued prayer! It has been evident to us that the events of the past five weeks have been bathed in the effectual, fervent prayers of God's people. Please continue to pray for us as renovations progress and we prepare to move everything into place. Please also pray for the work of the ministry which goes on in temporary quarters amidst stacks of shipping cartons. Our folks have put in some extraordinary hours these last several weeks to continue the work of "Equipping the Scripture-Driven Church." I am grateful for them, and for each of you. May the Lord continue to bless your personal walk in the light of His inspired, infallible, inerrant Word.

Rejoicing in Christ,
Dr. Paul M. Elliott
President

 

nu_2121_03


Copyright 1998-2024

TeachingtheWord Ministriesmmmmmwww.teachingtheword.org

All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced in its entirety only,
for non-commercial purposes, provided that this copyright notice is included.

We also suggest that you include a direct hyperlink to this article
for the convenience of your readers.

Copyright 1998-2024 TeachingTheWord Ministries