Skyline Church Starts Construction on New Worship Center

Skyline Church, whose almost 3,000-member congregation has made it one of the largest churches in San Diego County, held a press conference Wednesday to announce that it has started construction on a brand new 58,700-square-foot worship center complex.

Amid the cacophony of noise created by backhoes digging, wheel loaders hauling mounds of dirt, and and landscape loaders clearing space, senior pastor Jim Garlow was joined by the church's other pastors, local politicians and community leaders in a celebration of the new facility.

Jacob congratulated Garlow on the project, and praised the church as a focal point of leadership and service in East County. From the church's numerous outreach ministries to its willingness to partner with governmental agencies to establish positive change, "Skyline understands that serving the community is a major priority."

"Time and time again, Skyline has been there for this community, quietly and humbly going about the business of lifting people up.

"In big ways and small ways, Skyline helps those who are broken, who are desperate, who are frustrated and hopeless… our friends and our neighbors in need," she said.

The facility will be a worship center that will feature a 2,500-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art lighting, audio and video; a large stage for performing arts and productions; a multipurpose room or gymnasium, which will be named after former pastor John Maxwell; a large foyer called "The Atrium," that will be used for small concerts; a cafe; and a 200-seat traditional chapel named the "Pastor Butcher Chapel," in honor of Orval Butcher, the church's first pastor.

Garlow said that the new facility will be used as a weekly worship center for the church. Additionally, it is hoped that it will also become a versatile community focal point—a place for local events, concerts and theatrical productions, and an evacuation center for emergencies.

The cost of the construction is about $10.8 million. According to Dan Grant, executive pastor of operations and staff development, about 80 percent of that cost was comprised of donations from the church's congregation. The remainder was made up from a loan from the denominational lender of the Wesleyan Church.

Grant added that construction actually began in late November, and that the projected completion date is January or February of 2012.

"It's very gratifying to see the community come out to join hands with us," Grant said. "The church is here to serve the community. The ability for us to do what we might not otherwise be able to do would not be possible without the support of so many local agencies. We are appreciative of that support."

Some of the agencies and representatives that were on hand in support of the church and the project included San Miguel Fire Chief Augie Ghio, Lemon Grove Sheriff's Station Captain Gigi McCalla, Ellen Malin of Congressman Duncan Hunter's office, La Mesa City Councilman David Allan, Grossmont Union High School District Superintendent Ralf Swenson, and San Diego County Assessor Recorder/Clerk Ernie Dronenburg.

McCalla told those in attendance that plans for the new San Diego County Sheriff's substation that will be on land adjacent to the church is moving forward. That project is being put out to bid, and construction on the substation, which will house about 100 deputies, will begin in spring of 2011.

Dr. David Jeremiah, pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, kidded with Garlow, saying, "I think there is no doubt that God has ordained this project, by making sure the Sheriff's Department will be on campus where Jim Garlow holds forth."

He said that he can't imagine the joy that is going to be on this campus when the project is finally completed, and thanked Garlow and his staff for their patience and commitment to the community.