While you were sleeping last night…
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR NEW WORSHIP CENTER WAS POURED!!!!
(Yes, this is going a long update. Might as well grab a bowl of ice cream and settle in—we’ve got stories to tell.)
After months of waiting—through rain delays, mud puddles, and endless weather apps—it finally happened. The slab is in.
As a staff, we’ve been watching and praying, but even we didn’t know exactly when it would come. And then… just like that, it was go time.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s rewind and walk through how it all came together…
Saturday, June 14
Last Saturday, the staff and elders got an email with the best kind of news:
The Scripture burial would happen Tuesday.
And the concrete pour was officially scheduled for next week.
(And, yes, I got that email AFTER I sent last week’s construction update—so if you’re thinking, “Krista, WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US?!”—I promise, I share everything I can with my fellow construction groupies. You know I live for this. ????)
Monday, June 16
The crew was out spraying for bugs. Termites, I think. So our new Worship Center doesn’t turn into a fine dining destination for unwelcome guests.
Fun fact: the spray is tinted blue on purpose so they can see exactly where it’s been applied.
Apparently, artificial coloring isn’t just for cereal anymore.
(Photo courtesy of Pastor Eric—because he’s officially all in on the construction updates now.????)
Tuesday, June 17
This was Tuesday at 9:00 AM.
The crew was already hard at work laying what I now confidently call the “rebar mat.”
Yes, I learned that term this morning.
Just a little pre-burial fun. Pastor Eric introduced our friends from JRJ Construction, and everyone was smiling.
Well… almost everyone. Pastor Mark’s deep in thought. Maybe he’s praying. Maybe he’s mentally reviewing the rebar layout. Maybe he’s wondering if we remembered to call it “The Worship Center” and not “The Sanctuary.”
Great. Now I’M wondering why it’s called a worship center and not a sanctuary??? And if, 20 years from now, we’ll still be calling this the “New Worship Center”… and the other one the “Old Worship Center.” ????
In the photo above, we’re all gathered as Pastor Eric praises God for this project and declares our prayer: that God would use this space to grow our faith and make His name known throughout Parker County. ????
That’s why we buried a Bible.
A few months ago, many of you sent in your favorite verses. We printed them, tucked them inside the Bible, sealed it up, and placed it beneath the future stage—a symbol and reminder that God’s Word is our foundation. Not just for this building, but for our lives.
Mrs. Anita Dougherty had the honor of placing God’s Word into the foundation of our new Worship Center.
It was her idea—and a beautiful one. A quiet, faithful gesture that will remain under our feet for generations to come.
And she prayed over our church, this new Worship Center, and that God’s great name would be glorified.
Eric gave thanks for those who came before us—the men and women who planted a church in Parker County and remained faithful
He prayed that God’s Word would shape the men, women, and children who gather here.
That this space would reach the lost, build His Kingdom, and increase our faith.
He also prayed for protection over every worker, for generosity to grow, and against the enemy’s schemes to disrupt what God is doing.
And above all—that the name of Jesus would be known in Parker County.
To Him be all glory, honor, power, and praise.
Our Senior Pastor (who apparently has very flexible knees) has led our team with vision, humility, and deep love for Jesus.
He’s a pretty great person to work for—and to walk the foundation with.
And in case we ever forget…
“X” marks the spot.
Any takers on a treasure/Bible hunt once the Worship Center is done?? ????
Thursday, June 19 (at the unreasonable hour of 1:00 AM)
1:00 AM. The field lights were blazing, the boom truck was staged, and a few brave souls were roaming the site in the dark—because yes, this is actually happening.
(Photo credit: Thomas Vanover, who volunteered to be there at 1:00 AM… for reasons still unknown.)
Thomas, we know you didn’t do it for the credit—but some people just raise the bar for the rest of us. Thanks for catching the moments the rest of us slept through.
Just in case you thought we weren’t being thorough… here’s the guy from Construction Materials Testing, mid-stride and slightly blurry—because he’s working, and because that slab under your feet needs to be more than “probably” solid.
(Photo credit: Max, Construction Supervisor Extraordinaire)
Please tell me I’m not the only one who sees it…
Giant alien bug. About to crawl up on our foundation.
I saw Men In Black. I know how this goes.
(Photo credit: Thomas Vanover. He sees things the rest of us miss. Like aliens. At 1 a.m.)
The first splash of concrete hitting the ground.No turning back now.
(Video credit: Thomas Vanover—because some people film history while the rest of us are sleeping.)
They started pouring at the Preschool corner…
…and held up a tarp to protect the walls from concrete splatter.
Because even during a 1 a.m. pour, the Preschool entrance deserves red carpet treatment.
(Photo credit: Max, tarp deployment strategist.)
Zoomed-out view of that first pour.
We watched it go down with our own eyes. Real concrete. Real progress. Possibly 2 or 3 a.m.—I don’t know, I wasn’t there.
(Photo credit: Thomas Vanover, who absolutely was.)
And just like that—smooth, solid, and level.
No more walking on dirt. No more sinking into mud. Just beautiful, honest concrete.
(Photo credit: Max, who has truly seen it all.)
Let’s hear it for Thomas Vanover—on-site, middle of the night, capturing the moment and giving us a thumbs up. What a legend.
(Photo credit: Also Thomas, obviously.)
It’s still dark outside, and they’ve already poured this much.
What time is it by now—4:00 AM? 5:00? Who knows. All I know is I was definitely not awake.
(Photo credit: Max, clearly awake and crushing it.)
Ever tried guiding concrete into place with a flashlight and a shovel?
Yeah… me neither. But it’s oddly mesmerizing to watch.
(Video credit: Thomas Vanover—official Documenter of the Impossible.)
By the time most of us were pouring our cereal, they’d already finished pouring the slab.
(Photo credit: Max, who somehow stayed awake through all of this.)
Thursday, June 19 (part two… the version where normal people are awake)
(Later that same day, when the rest of us showed up…)
I have never wanted to work in construction SO BADLY as when I walked up on this scene. Three guys, three bumper cars, three perfectly synchronized moves—like a concrete ballet.
(Meanwhile, I’m holding a Starbucks and a danish, well-rested and completely useless.)
(Video credit: Me, living my best observer life.)
There it is.
The entire foundation—finished, smooth, and finally real.
After all the delays, all the mud, all the waiting… this is worth celebrating. Thank you, Jesus!
That shine on the left? Totally on purpose.
This section will be polished concrete in the new lobby—aka the part where your shoes will squeak if you’re late to service.
When you don’t own PPE (Personal Protection Equipment??) but still need to walk the construction site… you get the special loaner set.
This hot pink gear is what Max makes the crew wear if they forget their PPE. They get two options: wear this, or go to Home Depot and buy some.
Max says they only forget once. ????
Personally? I think it’s fabulous.
Meanwhile, at the Student Ministry Building side.
Looks like this’ll be the next zone to prep and pour… unless it rains again. Let’s not talk about it. Too soon. Too soon.
Once the concrete cures and gets the green light, it’s steel time.
The best part? Now that we have a slab, weather delays shouldn’t slow us down too much.
Bring on the rain. (Though of course, now there’s none in the forecast.)
This strip of concrete outlines the future stage, and that giant pile of dirt? That’s where it’ll rise.
They’ll pour retaining walls and build a raised concrete platform—with a hidden front section for cords, cables, equipment… and maybe a preacher’s kid or two.
(PKs know all the best hiding spots.)
My shadow is pointing to the stall I’ve claimed. Dibs!
(Though knowing my luck, this’ll turn out to be the sink area.)
This guy was doing detailed edge work while the bumper-car crew made circles around him.
Someone give this man a turn. Or at least a coffee.
Should’ve let that guy take a turn on the bumper car.
See that orange paint? That’s construction code for: oops, we need to fix this pipe now.
Look at it. Just look at it.
The whole foundation—poured, solid, and ready. All that waiting (and mud!) finally gave way to this.
We’re thanking God for His faithfulness every step of the way.
This is just concrete, yes—but it’s also a visible reminder of what He’s building in and through His people.
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
—Psalm 127:1
About These Updates
This is a casual, behind-the-scenes look at the Worship Center construction at Trinity. I’m Krista Gordon, Communications Director, armed with a phone camera and curiosity, a pretty consistent track record of confusing water pipes with electrical things, and an AI buddy who helps turn my construction confusion into comedy.
I may not know much about construction, but here’s one thing I do know: as Pastor Eric often reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1). Watching this Worship Center rise right outside our offices is a tangible reminder that our true foundation is built on Christ alone.
To Him be all the glory!
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