I stopped by the building for a few minutes yesterday. Things continue to move forward. A big thank you to the OCA boys soccer team for the community service work yesterday. The team did a bit of hand trench work which will allow the electricians to run some necessary lines. They also hauled some construction debris to a dumpster, and took care of some clean up. Thanks to coach Larry Nilius for putting their work together on the building.
Within the next couple of weeks we will be reaching out to the neighbors near the new building. We will be doing a mailing to a number of house holds, and we hope to follow that with a personal visit at the door of those closest to the building. We need to let the people closest to our building know what education at OCA is about. If you would like to help canvas the neighborhood, please let me know. Just click comment here, or drop me an email. (My email address is on the OCA web site).
I was not able to attend the event Monday night, but I heard that it went well. The silent auction bidding on two signed prints is open until Friday. Contact the school office if you wish to place a bid.
Keep praying for OCA!
Keith
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Raising the money
The fund raising for this project has been pretty amazing. We started the calendar year 2007 with less than $100,000 for the building project. That amount was raised during 2006 as we looked at land, and considered how to move forward. During all of our fundraising we tried to make it clear that we did not yet know what property we would eventually purchase.
At a board meeting in early 2007, a friend of the school who was consulting with the board challenged the board to pledge some funds toward this issue, and several board members made pledges at that time. I extended an invitation to the rest of the school family to join with us in this pledge. The result of this pledge effort was nearly $300,000 pledged toward the property. This was an amazing result, and we praised the Lord for his provision.
in September of 2007 we announced the specifics of our property plan. After announcing this plan, people began to give and pledge. Now, about 12 months after the initial pledge, we have raised over one million in cash and pledges.
The fund raising continues regularly. Right now, our Kindergarten class is working to gather a million pennies, the proceeds will go to this project. On Monday April 28, at a fund raiser dinner, Jerry Tagge will speak, and there is a silent auction at this event to help raise funds as well. Five dollars gets you a spaghetti meal, a chance to hear Jerry, and a chance to bid on memorabilia. Call the school office if you have questions.
God bless.
Keith
At a board meeting in early 2007, a friend of the school who was consulting with the board challenged the board to pledge some funds toward this issue, and several board members made pledges at that time. I extended an invitation to the rest of the school family to join with us in this pledge. The result of this pledge effort was nearly $300,000 pledged toward the property. This was an amazing result, and we praised the Lord for his provision.
in September of 2007 we announced the specifics of our property plan. After announcing this plan, people began to give and pledge. Now, about 12 months after the initial pledge, we have raised over one million in cash and pledges.
The fund raising continues regularly. Right now, our Kindergarten class is working to gather a million pennies, the proceeds will go to this project. On Monday April 28, at a fund raiser dinner, Jerry Tagge will speak, and there is a silent auction at this event to help raise funds as well. Five dollars gets you a spaghetti meal, a chance to hear Jerry, and a chance to bid on memorabilia. Call the school office if you have questions.
God bless.
Keith
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Visible Progress
Today, I visited the building to see the progress, and I was amazed. Perhaps I should provide a little background. When we bought this building it was office space, and was actually divided into two separate office bays. A while later, we had a few work days, and a team removed the old walls, ceiling tile, and wiring. That makes it sound calm. They really ripped the guts out of the building in a few short hours.
I have been in the building a few times since then. It was really just a messy empty shell last time I was there just a few weeks ago. That is why I was amazed today. Most of the framing for walls is complete. Kim Palmer and Chuck Hooley were still at work doing some wall board installation. This building looks like a school today! What has only been a dream, then a drawing has real substance with three dimensions.
The Executive Director at OCA is Tim Thompson. He invited the employees at school to come for a tour today, so those who were available came to see. It was fun to see people respond to what has been accomplished.
The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Until today, it was only through faith that we could see that this office building could be a home for OCA. Today, we could see the walls, and have our faith in Him rewarded with visible progress.
Keith
I have been in the building a few times since then. It was really just a messy empty shell last time I was there just a few weeks ago. That is why I was amazed today. Most of the framing for walls is complete. Kim Palmer and Chuck Hooley were still at work doing some wall board installation. This building looks like a school today! What has only been a dream, then a drawing has real substance with three dimensions.
The Executive Director at OCA is Tim Thompson. He invited the employees at school to come for a tour today, so those who were available came to see. It was fun to see people respond to what has been accomplished.
The Bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1). Until today, it was only through faith that we could see that this office building could be a home for OCA. Today, we could see the walls, and have our faith in Him rewarded with visible progress.
Keith
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Geographic Irony
Earlier, I wrote that OCA never operated school in a permanent home. That is true, but there was a time when property was owned, and some construction work was even done. The location of that property was just south of Crown Point Avenue, near 83rd street. It is ironic that the property we now own is less than a block south of Crown Point Avenue, at 103rd. Thirty one years later, and 20 blocks further west.
This building used to be executive office space for a telemarketing firm, then was vacant for a number of years. One of our school board members was seeking office space for his company, and saw this space. We discussed it, and started thinking about how we could use the space for the school. After looking, thinking and praying about it for a while, we were convinced that it could be a good property for OCA. We started planning how we could buy this property, plus we had interest in some other properties in the neighborhood.
I went on vacation with my family, and checked in with another board member while away. The sellers had reduced their asking price, and OCA had made an offer, below the new asking price. This was a great answer to prayer. We were on the way toward buying a building, at a great price.
By early December, we had raised enough cash, and secured a loan to purchase our property at 10244 Wiesman Drive. God's work was evident throughout the process. We have seen many people give and pledge generously. In about one year, God has blessed our building project with gifts and pledges totalling nearly one million dollars.
God is able to provide, and has shown his blessing on us. We praise Him for sustaining us, guiding us, and showering His blessings on both this project. Perhaps I am focusing too much on this project, I wish that you could spend a day with our faculty or students. They are the people who make this building project worth doing.
Keith
This building used to be executive office space for a telemarketing firm, then was vacant for a number of years. One of our school board members was seeking office space for his company, and saw this space. We discussed it, and started thinking about how we could use the space for the school. After looking, thinking and praying about it for a while, we were convinced that it could be a good property for OCA. We started planning how we could buy this property, plus we had interest in some other properties in the neighborhood.
I went on vacation with my family, and checked in with another board member while away. The sellers had reduced their asking price, and OCA had made an offer, below the new asking price. This was a great answer to prayer. We were on the way toward buying a building, at a great price.
By early December, we had raised enough cash, and secured a loan to purchase our property at 10244 Wiesman Drive. God's work was evident throughout the process. We have seen many people give and pledge generously. In about one year, God has blessed our building project with gifts and pledges totalling nearly one million dollars.
God is able to provide, and has shown his blessing on us. We praise Him for sustaining us, guiding us, and showering His blessings on both this project. Perhaps I am focusing too much on this project, I wish that you could spend a day with our faculty or students. They are the people who make this building project worth doing.
Keith
Monday, April 21, 2008
In the beginning was the Word
Omaha Christian Academy has existed since 1972. During that time the school has been in four different locations, but has never had school in a place it could call home permanently. Over the past couple of years, the school board has been working to move the school into a permanent home.
After first looking at a large parcel of undeveloped land in 2006, we took a different approach in 2007. We located a vacant office building, on a lot with nearly 3 acres of land in northwest Omaha. The property is just a few blocks from the Fort Street exit from I-680, and we believe will be a great spot for our school.
We have purchased the property, and are already working on the renovation needed to convert the exiting office space into classrooms for preschool through 8th grade. We are also working on the plans for adding 20,000 square feet of space which will be the high school and cafeteria.
So, what about the title of this entry? Clearly, the Word is important to us in a variety of ways. The quote is from John 1, and refers to our Lord Jesus Christ. The word is also God's written word, the foundation of how we study all truth at O.C.A. Finally, this blog is written word to keep our friends up to date on the project. I will get some photos loaded soon, and hope to post updates at least once a week. Hope you enjoy reading them.
God has provided in amazing ways to get us to this point. I'll try to tell some of those stories in the future.
Take care,
Keith Strasser
After first looking at a large parcel of undeveloped land in 2006, we took a different approach in 2007. We located a vacant office building, on a lot with nearly 3 acres of land in northwest Omaha. The property is just a few blocks from the Fort Street exit from I-680, and we believe will be a great spot for our school.
We have purchased the property, and are already working on the renovation needed to convert the exiting office space into classrooms for preschool through 8th grade. We are also working on the plans for adding 20,000 square feet of space which will be the high school and cafeteria.
So, what about the title of this entry? Clearly, the Word is important to us in a variety of ways. The quote is from John 1, and refers to our Lord Jesus Christ. The word is also God's written word, the foundation of how we study all truth at O.C.A. Finally, this blog is written word to keep our friends up to date on the project. I will get some photos loaded soon, and hope to post updates at least once a week. Hope you enjoy reading them.
God has provided in amazing ways to get us to this point. I'll try to tell some of those stories in the future.
Take care,
Keith Strasser
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