Many times I think we have God in a small box, looking at Him from our SMALL perspective, not from the perspective of Who HE is in the Bible. I guess it shows that we do not really know Him at all. I am so guilty of this in my daily life. I seem to think He is not able to answer prayers for the BIG things in my life.
Then my Spirit was quickened about how Big the Lord really is. And, how earlier today when we went through the Mutipurpose Building and the Support Center "SAW" HIS BIGNESS in person.
Angie Herman, who is over the the Support Center, started the tour in the lobby of the MPB. In each room, she was able to share how God worked to bring the MPB about, or a story of a miracle of how furniture was recieved or work was done.
Lobby: A couple from Washington state called the Center one day and asked if CMA was interested in having some stain glass windows there. Sure, John Sr said, but it is not in our budget. How does $ 50,000 sound to you to put them in? The couple then offered to have the stain glass windows made, bring them to the MPB, and put them in. WOW!! How amazing is that?
Front doors and other iron work around the MPB: A gentleman who is a iron worker designer in Nicaragua made the front an side door handles, and a beautfiul cross in the Chapel. All at no cost to CMA, but as donations. He trains young men in his country to do iron work and helps them open businesses so they have income. What a mighty God we serve!
About 4 years ago, the CEO, John Ogden, was in prayer one day when the Lord spoke to him. John was praying about the money coming in for the MPB. The Holy Spirit told him he had not because he asked not. In the coming weeks, he called a gentleman to help him write some letters letting folks know of the need for the MPB. Within two weeks of the letters being sent out, $ 250,000 came in for the building. I can't tell you how that speaks to me. (Oh ye of little faith. I want to believe.)
On to the tech room, where there were 10 booths set up for CMAers to go and be able to get on the internet, check mail, or sit and relax. All of the furniture in this area was donated by folks. Beautiful!!!
We went into the recording studio! Yes, I said recording studio. It is unbelievable what happened here to make it possible. The support center was praying because they knew we needed a recording studio to continue making dvds and cds. Up until this time they would have to load the equipment and go to a location to make the dvds and cds. Then load it up again and bring it back to the center. Lots of time and effort to make one dvd or cd. They began praying. They wrote an article for the Heartbeat to let folks know the need. A gentleman in New York City who was a CMA member got the Heartbeat. He was someone who was building recording studios for Samsung. After he read the article, he called up the Support Center and asked them if they would be interested if he came to the Support Center and designed the studio, helped them make the contacts to purchase the materials they needed, and then came back and helped finish the room. ALL ON HIS DIME!! It is the truth!!!!
On top of that, there are two major highways that run on either side of the MPB and a railroad track where 15 trains a day go by. Guess what? You can hear none of that in this studio!! That's right, it is totally sound proof. Praise the Lord in how HE works to bring about His work.
Upstairs were the offices of some of the Support Center executives. All the furniture up there was made and designed by a local craftsmen, here in the Hatfield area. It worked out to be a better deal than purchasing it from large furniture companies and helped a local craftsman as well. The furniture was gorgeous, and again was paid for by donations from CMAers.
In addition, there were enough tables and chairs in the middle of the upstairs for all the evangelists/their wives, the directors and their wives and the exec to sit to have their meetings they hold once a quarter. It also had projector screens for each of the 4 sides so all could see presentations being made by the speakers.
In the Support Center, we visited the brand new "CMA GOODIE STORE"!! Where folks can now stop and purchase items instead of ordering it online or having to wait for a rally. WOW!! It even includes a dressing room.
Then, on to the printshop, the banner making room and the warehouse for goodies. It is amazing to me what is being done in these areas by such a small group of people and how it spreads out touching 191 of the 196 countries in the WORLD! All in all, it was 9,000 sq feet. They send out 300 packages a week of goodies from this warehouse and screenprint 10,000 tshirts!!!!
On Iron Mountain, there is a pavilion that seats 5,000 people, a campground that can hold about 300 campers, an RV area and more.
In addition, CMA has 116 acres, of which 50 is not developed.
And, to think this started in a trailer 12 x 52 trailer in 1975.
The stories could go on and on, but I think I have made my point.
Man did not do this !!! It would not be possible for man to conjure all this up or do it on his own. Only a BIG God could provide the funds and the man power for CMA to have done the things they have done over the past since 1975.
Mt. 19:26 Jesus said, with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Is there something big you need in your life? A lost child or spouse, a health issue, a financial issue, a job issue, an emotional issue, a family situation you can't see an end to? Go to the Lord!!!!
You serve a BIG GOD!!! He is there, waiting for you to ask. Maybe you are in the same boat as John, you have not because you have asked not.
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