From Dream to Reality

Many of you already know that the Intersection Church had the special privilege to dedicate it's new playground recently. That ribbon cutting was a powerful time for Cori and I as we reflected on the process God took us through from dream to reality. Six years in the making, The STREET playground was filled with laughter for the first time because of the faithfulness of God's people to a dream that God placed in our hearts. Thank you to EVERYONE who was behind Cori and I over the last few years! 

I have included the text for that dedication service below for you to read if you did not make it.

Jesus Blesses the Children

"Jesus was always in the business of blessing children.

He valued the simplicity and whole-heartedness of their faith

He went out of His way to bless them…

He gave them value in a world that did not value them."

Matthew 19:13-15

13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

"Cori and I were a part of the last generation that grew up playing under the streetlights of our neighborhoods."

When we were children, we would play without fear of danger.

• We would create relationships with other children and families that

could strengthen us when our own family life was uncertain.

• We would pour out our youthful energy running, jumping and from place to place without a smartphone or tablet to keep us occupied.

The world has become a different place for children in so many ways…

Taking our cue from Jesus and His example of love in valuing children, we began to dream of a playground that would be like the street that Cori and I grew up playing on.

The Street playground we are dedicating today is a result of that initial dream that God placed in our hearts back in 2008.

It was a team effort through and through and we can’t thank God enough for the team of people He has given to us to make this dream a reality.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to:

Administrative Lead- Cori Herbert

Project management- Johnny Brown and his team

Family Ministries Coach- Jenn Vintigni

The staff and volunteers of the Intersection church

Austin Pritchard

Jack Godinez

Mike and Violet Reindollar

Many donors with in our church community gave gifts, large and small

Dedication

We dedicate this playground as a place where broken families will be able to mend among the laughter of their children.

We dedicate this playground as a place where children can feel safe, knowing that it may be the only safe place in their lives.

We dedicate this playground to the community of Gettysburg and the families who live here.

This will be a place where they will experience hope.

This will be a place where they will experience joy.

This will be a place where they will experience love

...in a world where love is hard to come by.

We dedicate this playground on behalf of a God who is love.

This playground is a gift to our community and we acknowledge that God is a giver.

Prayer and Dedication Given by:

Jeremiah Herbert

Playground Dedication 

August 9th, 2014