What better way to celebrate a new foundation than to celebrate with the next generation?!
On Thursday, we invited the preschool and elementary crowd to a very special Meet the Contractor Day—aka: the morning we let small humans climb large machines, eat hot dogs for second breakfast, and live out their construction dreams.
Families started in the Connection Center, then made their way to the fenced-off wonderland of skid steers and excavators, where the JRJ crew welcomed them like VIPs on a job site tour.
It was hot. It was joyful. It was slightly chaotic.
And it was exactly the kind of day that reminds us: this building isn’t just for us. It’s for the next generation.
Here’s a look at all the fun…
Thursday, June 26 – AKA: Meet the Contractor Day!!!!!
There’s our fearless JRJ crew (and I do mean fearless—they’re about to be swarmed by a preschooler stampede, and they ain’t skeerd).
Max, Scott, Marty, Jackie, and Jason rolled up with a food truck full of hot dogs, chips, and icy drinks—and a verse from Philippians 2:3 right across the top.
Pretty fitting for a group of adults who spent their morning joyfully serving a whole bunch of excited kids.
The crowd came ready.
Kids lined up for the machines, parents armed with iced drinks and sunscreen, and JRJ staff looking like the coolest camp counselors on earth.
That’s Jackie from JRJ in the black hat—she casually raised the bar forever by showing up with mini matchbox diggers and full-on LEGO sets!!!
Not to be dramatic, but she became a legend in under three minutes.
She’s basically a celebrity in the under-10 crowd now.
Normally, the pink vest is what JRJ workers have to wear when they forget their safety gear.
… but on her? It’s The Pink Vest of Power.
Add a candy necklace and a confident grin, and suddenly she’s the unofficial forewoman of Meet the Contractor Day.
Marty from JRJ, seen here negotiating a very serious job contract with a future operator.
Terms include:
– unlimited access to the excavator,
– daily ice cream breaks, and
– Fridays off for LEGO builds and video game tournaments.
This is Pastor Eric.
No, he’s not stealing a kid’s toy. ????
(Gah!! Why would you even think that??!!)
We thought this little guy was proudly showing off his new excavator…but really, he was handing it over like:
“Here, you look like a guy with strong thumbs who can open this.”
When your whole body says, “I was born for this job,”
…but your legs are still technically not long enough to reach the pedals.
This kid climbed into the driver’s seat like he’d done it a hundred times.
The look says, “Don’t worry, Max—I’ve got this.”
Hehehe. Okay… this button starts the engine. That one plays Baby Shark.
And that one orders backup hot dogs just in case things get wild.
Jackie’s pointing out the actual construction site—because when you’re wearing the vest, you get the insider tour.
Meanwhile, he’s still trying to decide if he wants the dump truck or the LEGO steamroller.
Tough day at the office.Â
Oh, the joy of Meet the Contractor Day.
Excavators, popsicles, and spontaneous hugs—what more could you want from a Thursday morning?
But really—our JRJ crew is full of good people who show up early, work hard, and treat this project with care.
Will you pray for them and their families as they keep building?
And while you’re at it, pray that God would use our church to help the next generation find the kind of joy that doesn’t melt or break or get outgrown.
Because at the end of the day, what are we really building this for?
(Spoiler: it’s Jesus. Yes, that’s the Sunday School answer. Still undefeated.)
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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