Groundbreaking at ABWE International Administration & Training Center

Missionaries, Board members, and Harrisburg staff gathered in bright sunshine on Tuesday, April 13,1999 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the International Training Center. E.C. Haskell led the group in singing "Oh Zion Haste," and Dr. Wendell Kempton remarked, "That is what it is all about: 'Publish glad tidings' as the chorus of the song says."

This was not the first ground-breaking at the 522 Lewisberry Road property. Five years ago a group prayed for God to be glorified in the lives of personnel who would work in the building about to be built.

During construction of the existing facility, 1,120 men and women from 27 states and eight foreign countries donated their labor and expertise. A local merchant was quoted as saying, "You attract some of the most qualified craftsmen as volunteers." Once again volunteers are needed to construct the second phase of the building.

The people responsible for the new construction explained their aspect of the work. ABWE Corporate Counsel, Don Davis, told how each department in the mission presented its suggestions and requirements, and Don assimilated those ideas. He also represents ABWE at the local Zoning Board. Mark Nelson, whose company provided all the components for the electrical system of the current building, is the Project Manager for the new facility. Dave Purrington is the project supervisor; Dick Mitchell the Volunteer co-ordinator, and his wife Chloe the administrative assistant.

Two Board members, Dr. Joseph Stowell with 58 years of service, and Rev. Bill Parmerlee with 22, wielded the spade and turned the soil. Rev. Bob Austin, of First Baptist Church in Hackensack, New Jersey, spoke of the new page being turned at ABWE, as he prayed for safety for the workers, and provision of the remaining funds.

In June things began to boom-literally-as the parking area behind the loading dock was blasted in preparation for the three-story expansion.

ABWE is a service agency for local churches. Men and women, whom God has called into missionary service, and whose churches have entrusted them to the mission's care, will study at the training center, enhancing their skills and spiritual lives in order to better carry out the Lord's Great Commission:

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

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