Mennonite Church USA Blesses Ground for New Office Building

(June 24, 2010) Mennonite Church USA and DJ Construction are excited to announce the beginning of construction of a new office building for Mennonite Church USA.  The project will target LEED certification.

According to a Mennonite Church USA news release, on June 15, approximately 200 people gathered on the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary (AMBS) campus in Elkhart to bless the ground that is to be the site for the denomination's new office building.  The building, which will be located adjacent to the campus, will house offices for staff of Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership, Mennonite Education Agency, Mennonite Mission Network and other organizations.

Ervin Stutzman, executive director of Mennonite Church USA, spoke about the decision to build the facility on the AMBS campus.  "We believe that a new facility will enable us to strengthen our mission while practicing sound stewardship," he said, noting that savings from the energy-efficient building will allow for additional funds to be redirected to the ministries of Mennonite Mission Network and other agencies of Mennonite Church USA.  "We also hope that this location will help create synergies across the church by being located near the AMBS community."

DJ began construction on the new building June 16.  "They have been very accomodating of our sometimes unusual needs, including our plans to work with gifts of construction material and volunteer labor," said Campaign Director Peter Graber.

Pictured in the photo are representatives from Mennonite Church USA and DJ Construction on signing day earlier in June.  The photo is courtesy of Mennonite Mission Network.