M.O. OWENS JR. WORSHIP AND FINE ARTS CENTER
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Dear Friends, With all the building and advancements on the campus at Gaston Christian School, the one remaining project from the original site plan has been the construction of a worship and fine arts center. Choral students have had to help with cleanup as a part of using the lunchroom for the daily class. Art classes have had to meet in rooms designed and used for science labs. Band students have had to arrive on campus at 7:00 in the morning just to be able to find a space in which their class can meet. Drama productions have been delivered in the cramped quarters of the gymnasium with inadequate sound and lighting. And weekly chapel services have been restricted both because of logistics and gym seating. That is about to change.
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The new building will be a central gathering place for plays, programs, worship services, etc. in a more formal, appropriate, and comfortable setting.” Nicole Anderson
With the construction of the M.O. Owens Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center, all students of GCS will benefit from this $4 million facility designed to meet every worship and fine arts need of the school, with the exception of high school graduation.
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The Lord has richly blessed the growth of GCS, and this building will help to alleviate stress put on staff and programs due to limited space.” Virginia Conover
In the late 1970s, Dr. M. O. Owens Jr. led a group of parents, grandparents, and others in the community interested in starting a nondenominational Christian school. Twenty years later, in the early 2000’s, school supporters again rallied financially when the opportunity became available to move GCS from three leased facilities and borrowed athletic fields to purchase 56+ acres of land and construct a gymnasium, followed by academic buildings and additional athletic fields.
Now, in 2018, it is our turn to rally in financially supporting the construction of the M.O. Owens Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center. Thank you for your prayerful consideration as the Lord leads you in support of this project that will mean so much to our students and community. Humbly,
Marc Stout GCS Head of School
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Costuming Room Teach layout and sewing
Tech Drama
A woodworking shop to teach set design
Chorus
Restrooms
Band Room
More than 1000 square feet dedicated to chorus with risers located inside the room
More than 1200 square feet for band classes with ample storage for all equipment
Girls dressing room
Boys dressing room
Auditorium
A 520-seat auditorium with advanced sound and lighting systems for chapel, chorus, band, and classroom programs, along with drama productions
Restrooms Dance Studio
A 1000-square-foot dance studio to teach ballet and other forms of dance
Concessions Main Entrance
Art Classroom
Two spacious art classrooms
Features a gallery of student and community artwork
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LEGACY OF OUR FOUNDER
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n the 1970s, Parkwood Baptist Church Pastor M.O Owens felt the call to start a non-denominational Christian school based on the Word of God and committed to academic excellence. After several years of prayer, organizational meetings, and the faithful response of those who felt the call to join him in this mission, Gaston Christian School opened its doors in 1980. Through the years, Dr. Owens has been a guiding force, sounding board, prayer partner and a mentor to those who have been responsible for the leadership of the school. To preserve the legacy of Dr. Owens’ lifetime of commitment to the Faith and the concept of Christian education, Gaston Christian School has announced that the latest building in the school’s long-range plan for its 56+ acre campus will be named The M.O. Owens Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center. Dr. Owens, who recently celebrated his 104th birthday, is known as a “Champion of the Faith,” “Humble Servant,” and “Inspirational Role Model.” Don Warren, retired textile executive, community leader and member of the GCS Advisory Committee describes Dr. Owens by saying, “When I think of M.O. Owens, I think of a man who lives his Christian life by not compromising before God and man. People see that in him and recognize that he is a follower of Jesus Christ.” Jeff Long, pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church adds this: “The way Dr. Owens treats people, the way he preaches the Word, the way he approaches life with grace and dignity, he truly is a Godly man.” As a band and choral GCS Head of School Marc Stout commented that “M.O. Owens is one of the student in junior high finest Christian men I have ever known. It is an honor to have our worship and and high school, I fine arts center named after Dr. Owens.” After graduating from Furman University and Southern know the importance Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Owens served as the and the benefits of the pastor for churches in South Carolina and Florida before arts programs. These coming to North Carolina to pastor churches in Marion programs have enriched and Lenoir, North Carolina. my life and opened doors He moved to Gastonia to become pastor of East Baptist Church in 1960. In 1963, when that church for me. I’m excited about decided to start a mission church in another part this opportunity at Gaston of town, Dr. Owens helped to found and became Christian.” Katie Goforth pastor of that mission church: Parkwood Baptist Church. He faithfully served as pastor at Parkwood until the early 1980s. In retirement, Dr. Owens served as interim pastor at 15 other churches and returned to Parkwood as pastor emeritus and to serve as the minister of one of the church’s services before retiring again from the pulpit in 2015. In addition to founding GCS, Dr. Owens also helped to establish the Gaston County Crisis Pregnancy Center. Dr. Owens has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, served on the Baptist State Convention Board of Directors and as President of the Pastors’ Conference. He has been active on the Sunday School Board, the Home Mission Board, and the Education Commission Board. In 2013, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary created the M.O. Owens Chair of New Testament Studies in recognition of his life of service and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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In this 2003 photo, Dr. M.O. Owens Jr. looked over plans for the just-completed gym while he sat between Knox Gibson, Class of 2012, and Lindsey Mackey, Class of 2013.
WAYS TO GIVE TO GIVE CASH PLEDGE SECURITIES
DO THIS Give by check or other means of giving cash. Complete a pledge card and return it to the GCS Business Office. Payments can be made monthly, quarterly or annually. Contact your broker with the number of shares you want to transfer. The GCS account information is as follows: Gaston Christian School Edward Jones Account # 287-14980-1-6 942 East Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054 704-861-9216 - Contact: Michael Roman You will then call the GCS Business Office to let us know that the transaction has taken place, and we will work with our broker to sell your stock. GCS Business office 704-349-5025 or klowe@gastonchristian.org
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 919.814.5400. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
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The Cochran family: Nicholas, Melissa (Matulis), Zachary, Sophia, and Steve.
CAMPAIGN CHAIR
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The building can be used for worship, art, and educational programming for students,, family, and hopefully the community. GCS can be a leader of the arts for the community, to promote God-honoring principles through the arts.” Tawnya Kuhn
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Our experience at Gaston Christian School has been truly exceptional. Our children have been attending GCS for 10+ years and have enjoyed tremendous growth spiritually and educationally during these formative years. The campus has grown immensely, and now the addition of a beautiful worship and fine arts building will bring a focus to yet another dimension of the experience at GCS. Our oldest son, Nicholas, participates in the high school band, our middle son, Zachary, is engaged in the chorus, and our daughter, Sophia, is active in gymnastics. All are eager to perform in their own capacities on stage at GCS in the upcoming years. Because of what GCS has meant to our family, we are dedicated to ensuring the success of this endeavor by our prayers, our time, and our finances. I cannot imagine a better cause to which to endear ourselves, and we welcome any who want to join with us to ensure the success of the M.O. Owens Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center. Dr. Steve Cochran, GCS Campaign Chair
PRAYER CHAIR
I truly believe in the power of prayer and that any undertaking dedicated to the glory of God (as this facility is) can only be achieved by remaining focused on Him. We do that by prayer. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Praying for the purposes, needs and concerns of this phase of the building campaign dedicated to the glory of God will keep us focused on His purposes, His wisdom, His provision and His protection. It will be exciting to see how God works through us all to accomplish His purposes as we abide in Him. Elaine Benjamin GCS grandparent and Chair of the Capital Campaign Prayer Committee
MARKETING CHAIR
As Pete’s parents, we could not be more blessed than we are to be able to send him to a Christ-centered school like Gaston Christian School. Gaston Christian School offers our son the opportunity to build lasting friendships with others who share in a divine love for Christ. Gaston Christian School offers a curriculum that prepares Pete for independence, growth and superb educational attributes that will sustain him later in adult life. We believe The M.O. Owen Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center will allow Pete to reach his fullest potential in his natural, God-given gift for music. Sing praise to the Lord for his love endures forever! Tim Henderson GCS parent and Chair of the Capital Campaign Marketing & Branding Committee
Tim and Joy Henderson with their son, Pete. 7
Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord. Psalm 150
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