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Dear Tree of Life Family,
I hope your summer has been full of blessings from our Lord. Life at the school is busy as we prepare for welcoming new and returning staff and students.
In recent months, we have been seeking the will of God for Tree of Life’s future facilities. As you know, we are excited about the former AOL opportunity in Upper Arlington. Have you ever noticed how the Lord keeps us near to Him and dependent on Him as we pursue His will? Frequently He does so by revealing His plan only ONE STEP AT A TIME. In April 2010, the school’s leadership team met to discuss the AOL opportunity. It became clear that we should pursue a lease on the data center (on the existing AOL property) and that the Lord could use that as an indicator to the school as to His desire. Thus, the lease became our fleece (see Gideon in Judges 6 and 7).
With three months left on our purchase contract with Time Warner (AOL’s former owner/building owner), real estate experts told us it would be miraculous to get a lease deal in the current economy in that time period. However, within two weeks we were in negotiations for a lease and that lease contract was signed last week. Because of this answer to prayer Tree of Life closed on the AOL building August 11, 2010 (please see attached media release).
First Step: WE ARE EXCITED AND CELEBRATING
- The Lord has clearly answered prayer.
- The Lord has done “exceedingly abundantly beyond all we could ask, think, or imagine.” The lease goes a long way toward the building purchase costs.
- Tree of Life has received a $1.3 million dollar gift, a first installment toward commitments announced previously. We have received $700,000 toward $1.2 million committed by many in the school community.
- We own the former AOL building. We will be calling it the Tree of Life Ministry Center.
- Tree of Life Christian Ministries (an umbrella organization whose sole owner is the school) owns the building to be used as Tree of Life Christian Schools.
Join us in celebrating God’s direction and provision. God is so good and faithful. Praise His Name!
Next Steps: WE ARE EAGER AND ANTICIPATING
- Please pray that the Lord will continue to open doors as clearly as He has done with the purchase.
- Pray for Upper Arlington leaders that they would agree with our use of the building we own (next appeal is August 16th).
- Pray for legal proceedings to result in open doors for school use.
- We will begin using our new Ministry Center right away. Existing office space will be utilized by our business personnel (Development, Business Manager, etc.) as well conferences, retreats, meetings, and other events consistent with current zoning.
- The Ministry Center will be opened to others in the body of Christ for similar uses.
More information and answers to questions will be forthcoming. For now, celebrate the Lord with us.
Making a Joyful Noise,
Todd R. Marrah, Ed.D
Superintendent
