Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Call it a modern version of a barn raising. Or a "habitat" for Christian schools.
Or just call it a modern day innovation that is based on goodwill, volunteerism, a lot of coordination and prayers. Lots of prayers.
Lakeland Christian Academy officials and supporters of the school's building program heard a presentation Tuesday night by a consultant from Utah who has built a construction model for Christian schools based widely on in-kind gifts, discounted prices of materials and volunteerism.
And, like a traditional barn raising, it's the type of project that is completed so quickly it can leave a community in awe.
LCA's timeline appears to be an awesome challenge. Initial excavating at its new campus on County Road 250E was completed two months ago, and organizers hope to begin construction within a month and aim for completion by this fall.
That's a relaxed schedule compared to consultant Dan Cook's achievement in Ogden, Utah, where he and the community constructed Christian Heritage School in less than three months. Other Christian schools took note of the accomplishment and began inquiring, and after about eight completed projects, Cook has developed a prototype system he refers to as the "Affordable School Concept."
When the Ogden school was completed, the cost was estimated at about $1 million, but the appraisal was near $4 million.
That requires great cooperation from contractors and suppliers and plenty of volunteer help.
"We learned there is substantial potential with gifts in kind," Cook told about 70 people attending the meeting at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church.
"One of the things we've learned is that there is an unlimited number of jobs you'll need and you can include just about everybody," Cook said. "It will be one of the most exciting things you ever do in your life."
LCA's fund-raising efforts have resulted in commitments and cash donations of about $500,000. The school originally planned to construct a $3.6 million campus. With the new approach, organizers believe they need about $1.6 million more.
But LCA administrator Marv Retzer said that financial needs could be reduced as in-kind gifts are received.
LCA wants to construct a 58,000-square-foot facility. At first, a steel shell would be built and then construction of the interior would begin. Under the current scheme, the building would include a dozen classrooms, a cafeteria-auditorium, a gym, library, administrative offices, a kitchen and a science lab.
Organizers distributed volunteer skills surveys in hopes of getting a handle on what types of talents are available. They types of skills include about 60 categories and range from bricklaying and cabinetry to draperies, landscaping and painting.
Steve Petty, LCA's gifts in kind coordinator, said they've already received commitments of support of numerous areas in the project. They're currently working on two of the biggest aspects, steel and concrete.
Another huge aspect LCA is depending on is prayer, and hope to enlist prayer warriors who will focus their energies on working with God to ensure the project moves in the best direction possible.
The meeting opened with prayers, closed with prayers and repeatedly emphasized the importance of God's role in the project.
LCA's existing campus is largely overcrowded and the school is projecting an increase in enrollment from about 130 students this year to nearly 150 next fall.
The school touts itself as providing a Bible-based education and has produced a large number of National Merit Scholar candidates.
But above all, the school works to train young people to lead good Christian lives.
Part of the success of the affordable school concept, Cook said, is the realization by business of problems with today's youth.
"Businesses understand that," Cook said.
