The 24,000-square-foot, three-story center at 3939 Stonebridge Road will include 13 new classrooms for children’s ministry, a large entry and lobby, an indoor and outdoor play space and a new family resource library.
The church will break ground today for the expansion.
The new center is scheduled to be completed in spring of 2020. Brumbaugh Construction Company has been awarded the project. Ruetschle Architects Inc. designed the center.
Executive Pastor Monte Torkelsen said the new center will be located on church property, connecting to the current building on the north side.
“New construction cost is estimated to be $ 6.7 million,” he said. “In addition, we are replacing mechanical systems for the entire facility at an additional cost of $1 million.”
MORE: Amazon coming to Kettering? Hundreds of jobs could start by summer
Torkelsen said the new space will allow the ministry to better serve its youth and church members.
“We look forward to the ministry potential that this new space represents,” he said. “It will open many doors of learning to the children of our community and church family.”
There are 19 million Adventists worldwide, including one million in North America. The Dayton metropolitan area has 10 churches with 2,700 members — the largest concentration of Adventist churches in the state of Ohio.
Senior Pastor, Karl Haffner, said the new space will help the church inspire Kettering youth.
“We’re excited to open the door of opportunity to inspire and educate the children of Kettering to live and love like Jesus,” Haffner said.
MORE: New family-oriented position in Kettering sheds light on everyday challenges for residents
About the Author