ANTES FORT - It's beginning to look like a church.
The new Crossroads Community Church under construction near Antes Fort is changing
all the time. No longer just a mound of earth and a shell, the building in the middle of a field
along Route 44 is starting to look like the large worship facility envisioned by the congrega-
tion of more than 700 people.
"This isn't just a building - it's a congregation coming together to make this happen,"
said Bill Toner, general contracting manager.
The construction of this immense undertaking began only 11 months ago, with eight
months until scheduled completion of the 3,200-square foot main building that will contain a
sanctuary, chapel, offices, kitchen, auditorium and classrooms.
But the workers on site do not rush through their day, as everything is in Divine timing,
according to Jim Ferguson, a church member who is overseeing the project.
"God is in charge and the people just do the work," he said.
Toner said the biggest challenge for this project was definitely "the paperwork."
He said about 80 individuals from the congregation and even members from other church-
es have volunteered to work alongside the professionals to complete the church.
"We have also hired three sub-contractors. Hanna Electric from Lock Haven will be fin-
ishing the electrical components and Bechdel's Plumbing and Heating from Beech Creek will
be installing our geothermal system," Toner said.
Toner and Ferguson described the geothermal system as a tubing grid that is installed
under the indoor flooring and 10 feet into the ground outside. The geothermal heating and
cooling system uses the natural constant 55-degree temperature of the earth to heat in the
winter and cool in the summer.
The HVAC system is eco-friendly and worth the initial higher cost in the long run,
Ferguson said.
Also in the first phase of the project is a parking lot to be followed by a baseball diamond
and tennis court.
The vision for the future is continued growth with a youth and community center, a
Christian school and senior housing as possibilities in the distant future, Ferguson said.
"We hope to become a spiritual beacon for the community - open to anyone who wants to
come and meet Jesus," he said.
Being a relatively new church, the congregation has been conducting Sunday services at
the Jersey Shore YMCA for the past five years. "Crossroads" began in July of 2005 in the
home of Jim and Anna Ferguson and has grown to 750 members.
"We are an independent, non-denominational, Bible-believing church," Ferguson said.
"God is at work here in a big way!"
Ferguson is one of a group of overseers who are dedicated to "Crossroads" becoming an
established church organization. Other overseers are Willard Jones, Marc Stocum, Dore
Stout, George Morton and lead pastor John Phillips.
The church also has a new associate pastor, Jason Borowicz, who is very pleased with the
progress of the new building and all the help from the church members.
The pastor said the sanctuary will seat 586 people, but an enlargement is already planned.
The seating will be movable so the auditorium may be used for other activities.
"Everything needs to be multi-purpose - why have a building you can only use once a
week," Ferguson continued. "There will also be a corner chapel with seating for 135 to
accommodate small weddings and funerals."
Borowicz said he hopes to bring new programs on board, like his State College group
"Ironmen" which is a designated men's ministry for men to develop a closer relationship with
the Lord. Also, he said he's looking to develop a praise team with a wide range of music for
everyone, and many activities for children are planned.
"This project has truly been amazing and incredible - I didn't dream this big," Ferguson
said.
Even though everyone is excited about their first official church building, they will contin-
ue to enjoy fellowship and Sunday services at
the YMCA until project completion.
"We try to preach a practical mes-
sage, focusing on the word of God, to
reach the lost and hurting in our
community," Borowicz said.
"Everybody is brothers and
sisters in Christ."
