FLORIDA CONFERENCE: OUR MOVE FOR THE MISSION
The article below features excerpts from Florida Conference’s Grand Opening ceremony. A complete video recording of the program is also available with this link.
by Mike Cauley, D.Min.
Florida Conference President
Who would have thought a few years ago when the Florida Department of Transportation told us they were going to widen Interstate 4 and that we needed to find a new home, God would lead us in such a marvelous way.
Everything about the new facility in which the Florida Conference team now serves constituents underscores our mission—making mature disciples and preparing people for the coming of Jesus. That’s what we believe God has called us to be about. We know that God has given us a priceless opportunity to be His hands and feet—His servants.
We believe the restoration of broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships is why we’re here, extending God’s grace, mercy, hope, and wholeness to people so God can restore them. We’re seeking to be faithful to do what we are called to do—empower our churches, pastors, educational institutions, educators, and staff to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
So, for the theme of the lobby itself, and really for the whole building, we have chosen the theme of restoration. All of the beauty and all of the glory that God originally intended for mankind was taken away when Adam and Eve made that fateful mistake in the Garden of Eden. God made a way through Jesus coming as Savior and dying on the cross to not just save souls here, but to take us to heaven where everything will be restored to us in a life-giving environment.
As you walk into the lobby, you’ll see a depiction of the history of mankind in terms of the salvation story. It culminates with God’s intent to restore all that He intended us to have in the beginning. The Nathan Greene paintings on the left side of the lobby represent Jesus becoming Lord of our lives and His sacrifice which brings hope for us in the soon coming of Jesus.
The main corridors form the shape of a cross. Where they join, central to the building and to our mission, is a depiction of Jesus as the Water of Life. Each of the seven pillars surrounding the center were themed after the discipleship journey of a believer coming to Christ: being taught by Him, surrendering to His will, faithfulness in following, obedience to His call, growing in grace, communion with God, and service through ministries of compassion.
Thus, the opening of the new Florida Conference headquarters is not about us. It is about a stewardship—a privilege that God has given to us and the mission of becoming the light of the world, creating a space that will be of service to our members.
Construction Acknowledgements
- Daugherty Construction Consultants: Richard Daugherty
- UP Development: Scott Fish
- Little Diversified Architectural Consulting: Jim Hair, Frank Campbell, & Anne Briggs
- RLH Construction, LLC: Richard Haines
- Parsons Corporation: Jami Smith
- Hilldrup Moving & Storage
- Common Sense Office Furniture: Craig Caswell & Brian Mulligan
- Florida Conference: Dave Boggess, Kathy Deering, & Frank McMillan
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