RLM opens new Pinehurst building
Pastor Gene Jacobs cuts the ribbon that officially opened Real Life Ministries’ new building “The Connecting Point” in Pinehurst. Pictured from left are: Richard Jansen, John Cook, Larry Curry, Don Ferguson, Gene Jacobs, Glen Lanker, Marcus Mitzel, John Young, Jono White and Aimee Walsh. (JOSH McDONALD/Hagadone News Network)
Kootenai County’s largest church keeps growing
PINEHURST — It was with a prayer of gratitude, several rounds of applause from roughly 200 people, and the cutting of a ribbon that Real Life Ministries’ new facility “The Connecting Point” was opened recently in Pinehurst.
After breaking ground in November, it took eight short months for the new facility to be built prior to Friday’s ribbon cutting.
According to Pastor Gene Jacobs, the project was the culmination of years of planning and prayer, but it all became real when the local church purchased the land at 708 N. Division St. last spring.
They imagined a facility that could be used both indoors and outdoors with several options for children and families. They wanted it to include an indoor playground and the ability to hold large community events, such as movie nights or communal dinners.
Well — they got their wish.
Ever the jokester, Pastor Jacobs was humble as he discussed and thanked the folks who stood alongside him on the polished and ornately stamped concrete patio of the new building last week.
“I’m probably the guy on the porch who had the least amount to do with this building being built, but I have a lot of words so I get the microphone first,” Jacobs said. “There’s a lot of things you can tell about an organization who builds something by the architecture of the building. This front porch might be my favorite part of the building because it’s inviting and it’s comfortable.”
RLM is Kootenai County’s largest church, with its main headquarters in Post Falls, where it offers three Sunday services and many ministries for children and adults. It has a church in Coeur d’Alene and services are held at Timberlake High School in Spirit Lake. The church is also planning to expand and build on a 19-acre site in Spirit Lake. More than 5,000 people attend its weekly services countywide.
From accessibility to the welcoming atmosphere, the Pinehurst facility, which boasts the aforementioned indoor playground, several classrooms, a sanctuary area that rivals any in the area, as well as a lobby that invites visitors to relax, is easy to marvel at.
The playground was designed to allow families an option during the colder months, which will allow them to stay local instead of having to go over the hill.
“We’ve got the toys for the kids, so our families don’t have to drive over to Coeur d’Alene to have fun in the winter,” Jacobs said to a rousing cheer.
Jacobs’ wife, Christy, is excited about the new children’s facilities, highlighting the motto that they had painted on the walls near the indoor playground.
“We make a big deal about kids because kids are a big deal,” she said enthusiastically.
After spending their first 12 years in a much smaller facility just down the street, the church body outgrew its physical housing and required more space if they were going to continue to serve their members, as well as the community.
“We want it to be a place where we can worship Jesus together, but we also want it to be a launching pad for outreach and service to our community,” Jacobs said in a previous interview.
The facility sits on 9.5 acres and has an outdoor stage off the back of the building where outdoor church services and events will be held.