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The Road to
Construction – Public Hearings
After successfully
purchasing the “blessed land,” the brothers and
sisters together were all greatly motivated and
encouraged in their extraordinary hopes.
Although we still owe the landholder $270,000,
we were aiming to see that the “Golden Lampstand”
shed light in the valley.
Even beyond the questions regarding the funds
for this gigantic construction project, the
factors involving the application for a city
permit, and other obstacles, nobody knew what
other hindrances the future held. This time,
however, everybody’s faith was truly greater,
and hopes were even higher than before the
acquisition of land. Together we prayed
fervently, trusted, and sought God’s guidance.
1987 was a year of prayers, waiting, and
preparing for the construction stage. In early
1988, the preliminary building plan was carried
out, thus prompting us to apply for a building
permit from the municipality of LA.
According to law, new constructions should
comply with certain rules and regulations, but
large constructions, after going through the
process of approval by government personnel,
require a further public hearing with the city
councilman. Since America is a democratic
country, there is a strong emphasis on the
“Citizens’ will.” Consequently, neighborhoods
have the right to voice their opinion. Usually,
the opinion imposed by a neighborhood has a
great impact.
The Church Building Committee, in order to be
amicable with the neighborhood, had aside from
prayers, planned and set up numerous activities,
but neighborhood attendance was quite small.
Building an altar for God is one thing that
greatly troubles Satan. Indeed, hundreds of
obstacles are definitely to be expected in such
an endeavor. In order to defeat Satan’s attack,
our church established a 24-hour prayer line on
May 1, 1988. Brothers and sisters took turns
praying for God’s guidance and seeking His
intercession to combat Satan.
The first public hearing momentarily took place
after the middle of May at the Van Nuys Women’s
Association. It was led by the city councilman
and was met with overwhelming neighborhood
participation. Among those who attended, only
one gave us an endorsement; the rest, however,
were opposed.
The animosity of the neighborhood led, then, to
a second public hearing near the end of
September. This time, it was held at the 2nd
conference floor of Northridge Hospital, and it
was presided over by a small, four members
committee. Neighborhood again absolutely opposed
the plan.
The third public hearing was held on May 9, 1989
at the Los Angeles City Hall, and it was
attended by all of the city councilmen. The
neighborhood opposition that day was not only
was forceful but their number had multiplied.
They had organized and presented different forms
of opposing propaganda. This has become, indeed,
a tough fight!
Church members had predicted that this was going
to be a tough battle. The pressure had been
great. Thus, besides intense prayers, every
brother and sister participating in the hearing
were encouraged to attend. The hearings were
conducted during regular office hours, so many
of our brothers and sisters had actually
requested time-off from their workplace just to
be able to attend. That day, Pastor Hsu’s
parents who were here visiting also participated
in the hearing.
After everybody had voiced their opinion, the
city councilmen on May 17 finally approved the
plan by majority vote. They had come to realize
that the goal set forth for the “Blessed Land,”
indeed, had good intentions.
In order to console the neighborhood, the city
council, despite having approved our
construction plan, imposed a prohibition on
establishing a school for Chinese instructions,
etc.
We thanked God for overcoming the evil planted
by Satan in the hearts of the neighborhood. They
finally became supportive and never opposed
again.
The participation of the Chinese councilman Mr.
Michael Woo needs to be mentioned. He had
attended all three hearings, and his support and
help proved to be paramount in influencing the
other councilmen.
| The Road to
Construction - $$$ |
Two-and-a-half years after the purchase of the
land, we obtained our construction permit and
began planning for actual construction. Thank
God, He has His preparation. After 3 years, the
debt of $270,000 on the land was paid in full.
Although expensed related to the construction
had been greater than the cost of the land, God
already had a plan. Real estates in LA had
started to appreciate in early 1988. By 1990,
the value of real estate had reached its peak.
The actual purchase price of the “Blessed land”
acquire in late 1986 was $415,000. The land had
appreciated to $1,800,000 in value by 1990.
Utilizing it as collateral, the bank released a
loan to us of $1,350,000 for use in
construction.
In reality, it’s not easy for churches to obtain
loans. A church is a non-profit organization,
and, therefore it is not allowed to generate
profit. If it cannot fulfill its obligation to
pay a loan, the bank has no other recourse but
to foreclose on the land. By doing so, the bank
will feel guilt and will be in sin.
The vice-president of the bank who officiated
the loan, was also a Christian. Because of his
help, the loan was approved smoothly and we were
granted a low mortgage interest rate. Not long
after the approval of the loan, this Christian
brother had left the bank.
Like all the stories so told in the Bible, in
all difficult times, there is always someone
above who is there to help us. Were the
Christian vice-president from the bank,
councilman Woo and all other witnesses who
helped in the plan, only a mere coincidence? Or,
was God sending them as part of His plan?
Recalling life’s tragedies at times, aren’t they
similar to this? How can it be not so awesome?
All things under His will, on September 1, 1999,
the breaking of ground started. At 2:30pm that
day, thanksgiving worship was held in
commemoration of the building of the “Blessed
Land.”
The
first phase of construction went surprisingly
smooth. After a short eleven months of
construction, the church part was already
finished. On August 2nd, 1992, we began our
worship in the new sanctuary. This day we
invited a special speaker: Rev. Stephen Yik,
whose message was entitled “Joyous Worship.”
The surrounding construction continued. For
example street lights, sidewalk, sewage, etc.
all had later passed the city’s inspection. We
even experienced the nerve wracking Northridge
quake in 1994. Only until June 3rd 1994 did we
receive the official usage permit, thus finally
marking the completion of the first phase.
On October 15th, 1994, at 2:00 p.m. the church
held the dedication and thanksgiving service.
Glory to God! |
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