MACC Opens Doors

From the Capital-Gazette Online:

    For years, 90 to 100 volunteers with the Mid-Atlantic Community Church had been setting up and taking down its operations at the Crofton Middle School. But this past week, the church opened its brand-new 44,000-square-foot facility a little more than a mile down the road.

    "They finally have a home," said Bowie resident Deborah Yardy, an occasional visitor of the church. Yardy was one of an estimated 615 people that came out for MACC's second service and dedication of the new building at 2485 Davidsonville Road. About 420 people came for the first service.

    "It's been a long time coming," said Millersville resident Richard Jackson, who has been coming to MACC services for the past three years. "It's been exciting to get updates about the funding and building process and then to be here now to finally see it in person."

    The Rev. Lew Schrumm, who started the MACC services on Easter 2004, bought the new location's 42 acres of property back in 2005 with the help from the congregation. "The goal was to pay off the property before we started building our new home, which is pretty much what we did," Schrumm said in an interview before the grand opening.

    The new MACC building will offer community and religious services seven days a week, Schrumm said. "Years ago, a lot of community activities were centered on churches. I feel like it hasn't been that way in recent years."

    The new building is sports centered, with a gymnasium serving as the main worship center. Schrumm says the design reflects MACC's focus on fitness ministry, which combines physical fitness with Christian-based spiritual and emotional wellness. "My administrative staff calls it the 'praise-nasium," he joked. Additionally, the MACC building features classrooms and showers for people who come for morning workouts.

    The next phase of expansion will likely include a glass atrium with an educational wing and preschool, Schrumm said. "We also have plans for putting in a commercial kitchen so that we can offer family dinners."

    First-time visitor Karrie Sangster of Millersville said she was impressed with the building's layout. "I think it's awesome they have speakers everywhere except in the quiet room," Sangster said, adding "there's a lot of good energy and excitement in here."

    Learn more about the MACC at http://www.themacc.org.