The Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to accept the gift of a $3.2 million office building and furnishings located in the greater Dayton area.
A Christian couple who own a growing home healthcare company approached Kettering Adventist HealthCare with an offer to donate their 29,350-square-foot building on a 2.6-acre lot valued at $3,193,000 to a not-for-profit entity. The network, recognizing that the benefit of such an offer could further the mission and ministry in the Ohio Conference, notified Dr. Ron Halvorsen Jr, Ohio Conference president.
Members of the Ohio Conference Executive Committee, Finance Committee and Properties and Trusts Committee reviewed specifics of the offer and toured the facility. The Properties and Trusts Committee voted unanimously to recommend acceptance of the offer to the Executive Committee. After prayerful consideration, the Executive Committee voted to accept this gift.
Conference officials see merit in transitioning the Ohio headquarters to this new location. Nearly $80,000 is spent annually to operate the existing conference office, and increases each year due to the age of the building. The newly acquired complex consists of two adjoining buildings with two floors each. The Ohio Conference could use one building, and Kettering Hospital has agreed to lease the second for a minimum of 10 years. Funds generated through such a lease could save the conference nearly $1 million in overhead.
“This would allow us the opportunity to own outright a building that is much newer, in far better shape and would cost our conference next to nothing to operate,” said Halvorsen. “A percentage of the monies saved could be set aside yearly to help in harder times, while most of the monthly savings could be used to help our Ohio churches and schools fulfill their vision and mission.”
In light of the potential financial and mission benefit, the Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to authorize use of the new facility. Full transition to the new building will need to be ratified at the upcoming constituency session on May 6, 2018.
The conference will schedule several opportunities for constituents to walk through the facility next spring. Meanwhile, visit www.ohioadventist.org for photos.
Walk with the King, and be a blessing.
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