Rebuild Villas Church sanctuary, Fort Myers

Update June 9: We still need your support for Villas Wesleyan Church, thank you! As we wait on getting approvals for insurance funding and a general contractor (hopefully soon), we’ve had to do and still are doing a lot of work in the gym and fellowship hall to accommodate all the activities now occurring in there. The new sidewalk and awning covering are great (especially when it rains)! The internal buildouts have already helped, but there’s much more to be done; and the electrical and sound systems are becoming more reliable. More work is needed on the utilities, facilities and equipment. Please help our efforts by contributing or renewing your support.

Once we get going on the sanctuary rebuilding, that process is expected to take two years because the massive fire destruction that occurred Feb. 13 requires demolition of virtually everything but the walls. Then we’ll need a complete redesign with blueprints to build the new structure in line with current code and modern building requirements. (News coverage example from the destruction can be seen at https://t.co/Hh5MYfp8OE.)

Don’t forget that the good news is, all activities have resumed using the fellowship hall and gym. You’re invited to join Sunday worship at 10:30 am; Wednesday adult Bible studies 9:30 am & 6:00 pm, and Thursday youth groups at 6:00-8:00 pm. God’s gospel of love and saving grace through Jesus Christ continues!

This is a big reminder that the church of believers in Christ isn’t confused with a building. We just have to use buildings, facilities and other resources to meet and carry on with activities and missions, whether locally or globally. Learn more about us at our Facebook page (and our worship services are posted at our website www.villaswesleyan.org and at YouTube).

We know that insurance won’t cover everything, and we will need additional for things that just aren’t covered in order to keep going and recover through the months ahead. Right now aiming for $50,000 and praying for your support! We are starting to increase our capacity to handle worship services in the fellowship hall/gym, and looking at what’s needed to upgrade those utilities, bathrooms etc., accommodate office and other necessary functions. Our insurance will require work to be done by licensed, bonded, insured contractors. The demolition must be done carefully and safely - and not forgetting there’s a school across the street, and we’re surrounded by homes on the other three sides. Engineering, design, and rebuild also must be done with attention to newer codes where applicable, and with safety factors at all stages. We’re deep in prayer and preparing for this all to take a year (or maybe longer).

The consuming fire burned through the roof and ceilings of most of the sanctuary, and the resulting damage (including smoke and water damage) is so extensive, it’s looking like they’ll have to demolish it (other than maybe some exterior walls) and rebuild. We’re not sure yet about some of the area at the back by the sound booth - the equipment was all damaged, but some of the ceiling looks okay in that area, but until the workers can get to it we won’t know if that part is structurally sound. Most of that large sanctuary building is obviously not sound, or safe. We can’t allow volunteers to enter because of the safety problems, ash and pervasive smoke smell, possible chemical residues, debris all around. Work has begun ripping up carpet and tearing out drywall.

Donations are going directly from GoFundMe to the church, which is at the corner of Trailwinds Drive and Beacon Blvd. We will be using them to support all the non-covered parts of the basic needs and any aspects that turn out not to be covered as we go.

We are not abandoning or taking away any resources from our ongoing ministries or missions support. The work of reaching souls, touching lives, and helping people remains our first focus. We will keep supporting our homeless dinner-and-meetings downtown, three congregations using our facilities, the Bible studies, youth groups, special services like baptism, weddings, dedications, funeral/celebration of life, plus cancer support group meetings, missions locally and globally, and community outreach. This 60-year old church and its many ministries do so much and we are rededicating ourselves to serving God through serving people!

Thanks again and in advance so much for your contributions to help our church recover, rebuild, and carry on to comfort and support the many families in our neighborhoods and ministries around Fort Myers. God bless you!