New Delmarva-DC Offices
The Delmarva-DC region of the Church of God recently dedicated a resource and training center at the site of the previous offices near Columbia, Md.
By Phillip C. Morris, Sr.
The service took place on December 13, 2010 and several outstanding features highlighted the occasion. Delmarva-DC Administrative Bishop Dr. Ronald Martin led the service of dedication and recounted the historical development of the property from its purchase and first office in 1957, through extensive enlargement and renovation in 1992 to the current new edifice.
Three members of the International Executive Committee of the Church of God participated in this important event. Presiding Bishop of the Church of God Dr. Raymonf F. Culpepper gave the dedication address. The 200 leaders and guests were reminded of God’s building programs, from the Garden of Eden through the Ark, the Tabernacle and the Temple. Culpepper’s concluding challenge affirmed that, “God’s most important building program is summarized in His message in 1 Corinthians 3:16: “Know ye not that you are the temple of God.” Dr. Mark Williams, second assistant general overseer, gave the prayer of dedication, and Dr. Wallace Sibley, secretary general, gave the benediction.
Other features of the service included, “Our Foundation” given by Lynda Martin, women’s discipleship director for the region, who explained that a Bible had been placed in the foundation of each corner of the building, and the Church of God General Assembly MINUTES was inserted in the foundation of the front entrance. Interior designer Becki McDermott explained the spiritual symbolism of the décor used throughout the facility. Jerri, chairman of the music board, led the congregation in singing, “To God Be the Glory,” with featured soloist Lauren Fletcher who sang, “Great Is Thy faithfulness.”
A unique highlight of the occasion was the representation of regional ministries. Instead of a usual Litany of Dedication read by one leader, nine ministry leaders each read a phrase of the litany. Retired ministers were also represented during the ceremony. Rev. B. Lloyd Womack. A cluster elder and trustee, opened the service with prayer, while retired pastor Alberta Waples and former Church of God General Overseer Raymond Crowley, also a retired pastor from the region, closed the service with a ribbon cutting.
After the celebration guests were treated to an open house and reception. The first floor houses the resource and training center. A large room for seminars and classes extends across the east end of the building, complemented by three rooms for interviews and small groups. Across the south side of the building is a spacious room for storage.
The main entrance is on the second floor which features four columns supporting the Palladian arch behind which is a colonial Palladian window. The entrance foyer features a curved stairway to the third floor. On either side of the entrance are three-room office suites for the youth and discipleship department and USA Missions. Across the rear of the second floor is the main workroom flanked by a prayer chapel and conference room.
The third floor houses the administrative bishop’s office and regional council room, both of which overlook the entrance foyer. Adjacent to these rooms are the offices of the administrative assistant to the regional treasurer. Also on the third floor is the women’s discipleship office and another workroom.
Bishop martin voiced the thoughts of many when he said, “The long-awaited dream of a new executive office, training and resource center is now a reality. We are blessed indeed and look forward to a productive future, utilizing the functional design and state-of-the-art facility.”
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Phillip C. Morris, Sr. is a Church of God minister who lives in Salisbury, Md.