2019 – 2024: God leads on his path
When it comes to the big decisions in life, we often wish for clear vision and a clear path. But God sometimes leads us through foggy detours to make it all the more clear that he alone has prepared the way. The good outcome is not made by man, but by God. We are experiencing this vividly in our new construction project.
2019 – A plan is made
Buying a piece of land is complicated enough. No one would have thought in 2019 how complex it could become when the idea first took shape: A growing ministry needs space. Serving the needs of the churches, counteracting the famine of God's Word, and addressing the lack of leadership now require more office space, classrooms, and storage space. Currently, the EBTC's ministry is spread across four locations in Berlin, and additional storage space at a fifth location will soon have to be rented. Having its own building would facilitate and consolidate the EBTC's ministry, making it independent of ever-increasing rents and logistical hurdles.
Through many discussions and much prayer, clarity grew: This is the path we should take. Thus began the search for a property for the future of the ministry at EBTC.
2020 – Together for the church
At the same time, the Evangelical Free Church Leuchtturm was also looking for a church building. As a Bible school from the church and for the church, it was natural to build together: a place for the church, for teaching and learning the Word of God. Two are better off than one – also when building.
2023 – The first setback
A concrete opportunity opened up and we were able to purchase a property.
The planning progressed, but the building permit was not granted despite initial prospects of success – the necessary floor space exceeded the limits desired by the municipality.
A letter ended the project before it had even begun. The property was there, but the building was not allowed to be built. Effort, plans, struggling for solutions – all seemed in vain. In such moments, we learn to trust God, who withholds no good from those who walk in integrity (Psalm 84:12).
2024 – Hope and Waiting
In the same week, another property appeared – with significantly better conditions. The combination of size, location, and surroundings promised a construction project without compromises.
After positive feedback from the city planning department and preliminary discussions with the authorities, the purchase was completed on September 24, 2024, this time with a cancellation clause in case the building permit was not granted. The application for a preliminary building permit was submitted and the waiting seemed to be over: Just one signature, then the building could be built and the move out of the cramped rooms would come within reach. The property was cleared during the autumn vacations and nothing would stand in the way of the start of construction.
But on November 28, 2024, the rejection came – the municipality wanted to keep the expansion of the neighboring school open and wait for an architectural competition for the school campus that was currently underway. Another standstill. Already the second large property – bought, but not to be built on? The construction project was presented in several political committees and was on everyone's lips.
What began as an ordinary property purchase went into a spin. It was precisely here that our faith was strengthened: not human plans decide, but God's sovereign hand. »The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.« (Prov 16:33). What would this verdict look like? The construction project was up in the air.