Our new Worship Center!

Pressing On!
Author: Hugh Griffith
May, 2010

The 2009-2010 school year just ended, and with our new Worship Center finished and fully functional, we experienced the largest number of students to participate in this ministry in its history.  Equipped with a spacious, new facility, we saw more than 700 students attend at least once, with an average weekly attendance of 175-200!  Compared to figures from 2008-09, total student participation increased by more than 200, and the average weekly attendance increased by 50!

On October 20, 2009, a crowd of students and supporters gathered for the dedication of the new facility.  The prayer of dedication expressed our hope for this facility: "We dedication this building as a place devoted to Your worship and service.  By the power of Your Holy Spirit, make it a place that is holy for all and may it be a place of prayer for all people."

The new Worship Center proved to be a great venue for concerts as we brought in Kristian Stanfill, Shane and Shane, and Phil Wickham for worship concerts. Attendance ranged from 350 to 450 for these concerts.

The Worship Center is a 6,500 square foot facility with seating capacity of 400, restrooms, and a kitchen.  The Worship Center is located in the back of the original Student Center. 

On September 6, 2008, we celebrated the start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony at the building site.  July 24, 2008, was a historic day for the Mississippi State University Wesley Foundation.  On this day, we signed a contract for $874,695 with Weathers Construction of Columbus to build our facility for the future!  Work on the project began the last week of July. 

 
Over the course of the campaign, more than 300 donors contributed to the success of our project.  We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our supporters who have given their resources to turn our dream of more ministry into reality. Thanks to those who believed in this project, the Worship Center is paid for in full!  Gifts and pledges to our Pressing On Capital Campaign have surpassed the $1.1 million mark!

Nine years ago, Wesley's Vision Team dreamed of an expanded ministry at MSU -- Mississippi's largest university.  Meetings, exploration, and more visioning soon made it apparent that in order to increase ministry to MSU students, the facility at the current Wesley Foundation Center must be addressed.

The dream grew and now includes the renovation and expansion of the current facility, which was built in 1963 to serve a student body of 7,000.

Following extensive work with architect Chris Cosper and contractor Weathers Construction, we are thrilled to occupy our new building which more than triples our capacity to reach students with the ministry of Wesley Foundation.

Our first leadership gift came from the Johnny Crane Family of Fulton.  The Cranes generously donated $100,000 to the Wesley Building Fund.  Additional leadership gifts ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 by Mr. and Mrs. Bryce Griffis, Mr. Leo Seal, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. James Bagley, Mrs. Agnes Griffith, and The Cornerstone Society pushed the building fund total upward.  Major gifts from churches, including $100,000 from Starkville First UMC and $35,000 from Longview UMC, pushed the current campaign total upward. 

Having reached one goal, we give thanks and we continue to press on, straining to reach the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!