We got a letter from VF today stating that their headquarters in TX is about to be declared imminent domain to turn into a fire house. Sounds like there is not anything that can actually be done about it... Just wondering what anyone else thought, or if there is any more info out there.

Yep, I heard this first hand a few months ago.  Scary thing is that little part in the letter that says that Vision Forum as we know it will cease to function.

All we can do is pray.  Earnestly.
 

 Hmmmm..... *wonders why she didn't get that letter* I would like to read it if someone is willing to send it to me.

Same here, Abbie.

Why can't I find this anywhere on the web? I've searched everything related to property and eminent domain in San Antonio and can't find a thing.

We heard the same thing. :/ We are praying, and waiting to see how things develop.

If anyone hears anything more, please post it! :)

 

~Sarah~

OK guys - is this a joke???

No- no joke. It's a pretty long letter and I don't have a scanner...

To our loved ones in Christ- I never saw it coming. When you lead a ministry which is dedicated to defending the Christian family, you expect battles. But sometimes the battles can be surprising. After years of teaching students about the abuses of the eminent domain clause of the 5ht ammend. to the U.S. Constitution, VF Ministries is learning first hand what it means for government officials to confiscate private property. The city of San Antonio has recently declared their intention to seize our national HQs by condemning the property through eminent domain. It is their intention to demolish out bldg. and replace it with a fire station.(More to follow... I'll break it up into multiple posts)

The targeting of VFM HQ for seizure by the city gov. came about a half year after members of our staff attended a city council meeting and appealed to our Mayor and City Council to reconsider their radical pro-homosexual agenda which manifest in leading city officials participating in "gay-pride" parades. We do not know if there is any connection between our appeal and the city's decision to seize out building, but we do know that the city has communicated to us their decision to take it. Consequently, we now face one of the most significant crises in the history of this ministry- the loss of our home....

Just under 10 yrs ago, the Lord provided us with our ministry HQ debt-free. A converted bowling alley, this modest 32,000 sf facility has been a daily, precious reminder of His remarkable provision. Our HQ is home to our staff and serves as the base of operations for the ministry to which the Lord has called us. In addition to meeting our staff needs, the VFM HQ has been a location where we have been able to reach out to thousands through special events, activities and one-on-one ministry. The simple truth is that, without this home (or one similar to it that could serve as a base of operations), VFM as we currently know it would cease to be functional. That is why we are fighting for our lives. At stake is the future of our work.

And that is why our strategy now is to cry out to the Lord for help, to share our needs with our loved ones in Christ, to take all wise actions to mitigate the crisis caused by the eminent domain confiscation, and to look for practical solutions that will lay a foundation for the future of this ministry. Based on the info presently before us, we do not believe that the City of San Antonio intends to compensate us appropriately for the building in a manner that "makes us whole" and provides us with the means to acquire debt-free a bldg. that is similarly suited for our needs. This being said, we praise the Lord for the challenges before us because we firmly believe that, though they may mean this for evil, God means it for good. It is my intention to keep you informed every step of the way, specifically, when we have more details on the confiscation and on new oppertunities to procure a national HQ for VFM.

(whew... fingers getting tired!!!!) In the meantime, here is how you can stand with us in our hour of need: First, I would be deeply grateful if you would purpose as a family to commit this matter to prayer. Pray that the Lord would provide us a solution to the state seizure that allows us to have a "permanent" national HQ in a facility that meets the growing needs of our work. Please also pray that any new location for VFM will not be overly disruptive to the family lives of the precious Christians who make up our staff. Second, It would mean a great deal to all of us if you would consider including... annual giving budget some provision to help us secure a new home, should the need present itself several months from now. Toward this end, I would like to have the ability to bring our specific building needs to you in the future, when more details are available. Third, in the meantime, we need your immediate help. THe battle over VFs home has been costly. We are a debt-free ministry that attempts to accomplish big things on a modest budget with a small staff. This year has been unusually difficult for ministries in America. Especially during these summer months, giving on the part of the Body of Christ has tapered off significantly, and many are feeling the pinch. Our own basic needs for help are compounded by the present eminent domain crisis- a crisis which has required that we invest many tens of thousands of dollars and significant staff resources just to fight for an equitable solution to the city's demands.

As I write, I can tell you that we have depleted out financial reserves and are thus in the position of needing to ask out friends for substantial help to continue with our work in the midst of this gov. seizure. If you believe that it is important to fight for the Christian family, and if you have been blessed by the message of VFM, I would ask you to consider generously making a tax-deductible gift to the ministry at this time. In the past, Gad has been pleased to surprise us with remarkable and providential solutions to very real challenges. I have every reason to hope that He will do so again. We are at peace in the midst of this storm, and our confidence and trust in Him is stronger than ever. We certainly would have never wished for our building to be confiscated by the local civil authorities, but we are convinced that the Lord is at work here. We know that He will receive the glory from this hardship, and we want to be faithful to Him every step of the way. Praises to the Lord! I am deeply grateful... Persevero, DP (Formerly known as the frozen head)

 Wow!  How...  _______  .   (The right word escapes me).

We'll definitely keep them in prayer!

 Thanks, Fluffy!