Social - December 2003

Hall’s ‘quick build’ completes a dream

By DIANE TURBYFILL, Staff Writer

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The construction site roars with productivity.

Volunteers direct traffic in and out of the property. Foremen direct their hard-hatted carpenters and masons.

Pieces of wood are labeled for placement, and teams work systematically to meet a quick goal — a fully functional building constructed in five days.

The final product yields different rewards for each worker. The tangible evidence is Kingdom Hall.

Jehovah’s Witnesses from the region came to the area last week to build a new center for Lincolnton’s two congregations.

Within the week, Kingdom Hall was complete. The large building sits on 6.6 acres of land on Buffalo Shoals Road. It includes various classrooms and a 200-seat auditorium.

Many volunteers say the construction is just as important as the space the hall will give its congregation.

“It’s fellowship and everybody really helps each other,” says Tom Pfahlert, elder with the local chapter.

Members from the area constructed Kingdom Hall with help from “brothers and sisters” from around North and South Carolina.

Working in the construction of the center provides volunteers with several rewards — a building for meetings, time for fellowship and ability to learn new skills.

“This is like a quick apprenticeship,” says Pfahlert. “I’ve done everything from brick masonry to security.”

Pfahlert and his wife, Sandy, also hosted a couple who came to town for the project. Many local members are asked to host their out-of-town guests during the “quick build.”

Bob Watkins, member of the regional building committee, says building the hall in five days is customary with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“We like local people to get back in their ministry as soon as possible,” he says.

He has personally been on the site of at least five sites in the past six months.

The latest site, Kingdom Hall in Lincoln County, will meet the needs of two congregations — one English and one Spanish.

The groups have been meeting in a building in Crouse. The smaller structure has been sold, making a new place of worship imperative.

While the new building is bigger, Pfahlert says it won’t be colossal.

“We want to keep it small and more personal. The elders want to give more personal attention,” he says.

The construction of Kingdom Hall will serve more than 100 members, but to Pfahlert it also marks a personal goal.

He and his wife moved to Lincolnton more than 10 years ago. Their goal was to help the congregation grow. The new building and attendance indicate success.

“It’s really like a completion of a dream,” he says.

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The Jehovah’s Witnesses hold meetings on Sundays. The English speaking congregation meets for public talk at 10 a.m. and “Watch Tower” study at 11. The Spanish speaking meeting begins at 1 p.m.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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