On Sunday, November 18th, leadership and partners of Faith Christian Family Church in Clovis, NM had a dedication ceremony on the land that is to become their Portales Campus. The land is located on West 18th Street, between South Avenue G and South Avenue H. The vacant six acres will soon be the construction site for a main auditorium and offices. The property will include children’s classrooms and outdoor play spaces that will also become “Kidzo,” a new licensed childcare center operating during the week.
The expansion of the Clovis-based church to Portales has been the dream of lead pastors David and Roxanne Swann for quite some time. They founded the Clovis church in 1980, moving to their current location on the corner of Llano Estacado and Norris Street from the corner of Main Street and 7th Street in 2000. It is estimated that the Portales location would open sometime in 2020.
According to Pastor Swann, they have gained a vision “to reach the students at Eastern New Mexico University, many who are here from all over the world, right in our own backyard.” The new campus would also serve their current families residing in Portales, that have extended family members and friends that cannot commute to Clovis for services each week.
“There are so many of us that have attended ENMU, we know it’s time for a massive move of God there,” Pastor Jason Swann explained. “We know it’s going to change the college and the entire community of Portales.” Pastor Jason Swann is the Executive Pastor at FCFC and will be alternating speaking at the Portales campus with Pastor David Swann. Pastor Hadley and Jocelyn Howe will be installed as the campus pastors when the facility opens.
After a couple of songs, the attendees of the dedication walked the property praying in groups and individually, then regathered for a final word. For the finale, a large billboard marking the spot was raised by the people, “We’re so excited for this next step for Faith Christian and for Portales!”
This is the prayer that FCFC prayed:
Lord, You’re the God of this city! We declare this land and the people of Faith Christian to be tools in Your hands that will reach deep into the heart of Portales and Eastern New Mexico University to unveil truth and restoration where deceit and weariness have tried to reside. We declare favor with city officials, contractors, and neighboring churches. Let our hearts for Kingdom expansion be unmistakable and any thought of competition be cast down. Let this be a place for students to feel welcome and accepted. As each of them steps foot on this campus, let their hearts become softened, and their destinies revealed to them. God, let this be a place where lives are reborn, rediscovered, and repositioned for growth. Let this be a training ground for world changers! As a church, help us to steward well the responsibility you have given us.
