By Nelda Malone, Reporter
Right after Memorial Day weekend, The Master’s Builders arrived in Fairfield, Texas, at Round Prairie Baptist Church. The Builders were there to help work on the interior of a new sanctuary. Round Prairie is the home church for two of the Master’s Builders couples — Donnie & Darlene Cockerell and Don & Pam Windham. It was such a blessing for these builders to help at their home church. Pastor Chris George and his wife, Julie, made the group feel so welcome.
The Master’s Builders framed walls that are 28 feet tall around a new sanctuary that is approximately 100’ x 100’, and it will have 650 seats. These tall walls had to be framed up on the floor before being lifted with several man lifts to be put up high. These 28-foot walls continued around the sanctuary and behind the changing rooms and closets, which were built on each side of the stage. The 50’ x 20’ stage was also built to a height of 3’, with an inside staircase on each side. Additionally, they built a 12’ x 8’ sound booth at the back of the sanctuary.
The tall walls were built in two sections. First, a 16-foot wall was built on the floor, raised and secured. Then, 12-foot walls were built on the floor, lifted and placed on top of the 16-foot walls! To place these walls, the Builders had to use a 40-foot man lift and a 20-foot scissor lift. It was very interesting watching these walls go up!
Much praise and thankfulness were “lifted up” for these lifts each day! Thank you, Lord! It is difficult to describe this process, but if you see the pictures and videos on Facebook, you will see how amazing this work was! Thank you again, Lord, for helping The Master’s Builders men through their daily work at Round Prairie and protecting them. Thankfully, only a few band-aids were issued from the first aid kit on this job!
This is the third visit to Round Prairie Baptist Church for the Master’s Builders! In 2006, the Builders were called to build a family life center for the church. Then, in 2008, the Builders returned to transform that same family life center into a sanctuary, as the church had outgrown the old sanctuary. Now, they have outgrown it again! Praise God! A big thank you to all the help from the Round Prairie church members, as this work was being done. Many members came to help when they could. One member, Jack Carroll, worked alongside the builders each day. It is such a blessing to The Master’s Builders when they can work alongside folks from the church they are helping.
The Master’s Builders’ next job is scheduled to be at Daniel Springs Encampment in Gary, Texas, Sept. 8-19. The Builders will work on whatever Camp Director Jason Prewitt needs done around the camp, including repairs and new construction. Some builders will stay in the dorms, and others bring RVs as eight “hook-ups” were put in several years ago. The Master’s Builders always enjoy their time at the camp, and several of the group can include the camp in their salvation stories! If you’re in the area, please stop by and visit. The Builders would love to meet you and tell you more about this ministry! If this job changes, we will post it on Facebook.
As always, The Master’s Builders would encourage you to follow them on Facebook at “The Master’s Builders” (arbor logo). Pray for this ministry, follow the jobs and pray with them each day as they work. You will enjoy it! Rose Bittner does a wonderful job keeping it up-to-date and informative. “Like” the page and follow. That way, you’ll see the schedule of jobs and opportunities to visit. If you have questions about the Master’s Builders ministry or if your church has building needs, contact Mike Green at (972) 935-3877, David Axe at (903) 918-0702 or Eddie Sikes at (479) 462-1675.
