Moving Forward
Expanding Opportunities to Minister to Gold Canyon

**Update on Land Status - Oct. 2007

Audio - May 14, 2006 announcement

Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes.
(John 9:6, NIV)

One of the greatest benefits of leading and encouraging people to pursue intimacy with God is that He is constantly full of surprises. Our task is to be close enough to be surprised by Him.

The disciples (those close enough to be constantly surprised by Jesus) had to wonder how Jesus was going to heal this time. Would He heal from a distance or touch a man? Will He simply command the man to have sight? Will He make him wash in some obscure place? The disciples knew a healing was coming, but how would Jesus do it? They must have been shocked!

They see Jesus kneel down; they hear the sound of God spitting; they see the One through whom the universe was created playing around in the dirt and making mud. Holy hockers, what will He do next?

Gold Canyon Community Church was planted in the Spring of 2000. After meeting in a hotel and various public schools, the leadership team recognized that if growth and stability were to occur, a "beachhead" (as Associate Pastor Chris Smith calls it) would need to be secured. However, land is hard to come by in this part of the East Valley. It is either held by the State and unavailable for purchase or way out of our price range or too small to build on. In spite of many obstacles, GCCC prayed for God's guidance as we swelled in an elementary school "cafetorium" for over a year.

Knowing that something needed to be done and not having any resources to do it, the leadership team remained proactive. A local "Elvis Chapel" (used in some movie by the "king") was looked at but deemed too small and unavailable. A developer was approached about some leftover land in a nearby community to no avail.

On a whim, I decided to drop off some information about our church to a developer known for his generosity. His secretary called and notified me about his desire to meet me and she set up a meeting. Much to my "surprise" I walked into a meeting with four Christian developers who shared their passion for Christ's bride and their desire to advance God's Kingdom in the East Valley of Phoenix.

They offered GCCC approximately 6 acres of prime land only 1 from our present rental site. The price was right: free! Our elder in charge of our building/land committee, Greg Yochim, immediately connected with the developers and has mutual clients and connections with the men. Needless to say, God's fingerprints are all over our recent acquisition.

Intimacy with God means being in a constant state of surprise. He pours out grace (when you don't deserve it); He lavishes love (when you least expect it); He mysteriously leads (to places you'd not anticipate) and He is wonderfully worthy of our worship!

Dave Abbatacola, Senior Pastor