In my desire to complete the Cross, we chose several months ago to try to have it completed for this year at Christmas. However, we did not get it done. We want you to know that we did everything possible to get this project to at least the end of phase two.
The first phase was to build the cross, which we got completed! The second phase was:
1. To pour the concrete walks
2. Pour the concrete circle around the base of the cross
3. Prepare and put our New Creations sign back up
4. Install the engraved pavers with the names indicated by those who have given so generously to help us to this project
5. Do final excavating work around the cross
6. Grade and blacktop a road into the cross
7. Do minor landscaping to hold us over until we could do phase three.
We believed the funds would be there to do all the projects and a Step of Faith that was taken. As you know, things have to have a commitment months in advance, so a project can be completed in a proper way. So we did just that and made a commitment to the excavating, blacktop contractor, cement company, cement contractor, and set out to work on phase two of the Cross Miracle Project.
All my life, I have never had things go easy when it comes to doing the things of Christ. I have had to take steps of faith by closing my eyes as a business man and jump into the calling. In every step of faith, there has been such big battles, and I can’t tell you that I have always handled them in the right way.
This cross project has been no exception. Every step of faith has brought on new and harder challenges, but, as Luke 1:37-38 says: “For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary say, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.”
I, again, had said to the Lord that I will build this Miracle Cross as a Step of Faith that you called me to in the 70′s. I, like Mary, did it believing nothing shall be impossible for God, but the challenges have been great since the project started in October 2008.
I have had people get upset at me, because of the cross project. It is just like the Bible says in I Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.”
Many believe that the cost and effort that we have put in this project has been foolish, but to us it has been the power of God to see people saved, healed, and delivered!
Many would say, “with all the problems, maybe you are out of the will of the Father.” I have never had the Father be so close and so real in my life as I went through seeing my family attacked, starting with my grandson who I was told would not live, not make it, or be like a baby and start all over at first grade if he did make it. I want you to know his brain surgery (done in July of 2010) went well, and he continues to be well and is doing great! To God be the glory.
Then the fight we had for my wife, Bonnie, during the building of this cross. I would never, never put her in harm’s way, but the thief just would not stop attacking her. She’s been in the hospital three times with two major operations, and I want to tell you that she is healed and is doing great! To God be the glory. It would take me pages to tell this whole story, but what counts is that our Lord Jesus has, again, done the miracle.
I could go on and on how the thief has attacked my family, my life, and our ministry. I continue to cry for joy of the many miracles God has done in the middle of every attack, because we will not give in, give up, surrender, be bound, stopped, or quit the call.
As I said above, I have not handled all of this massive attack as well as I should have (yet I am weaker in self, but stronger in God), but I still have my faith that God is the One that leads us to do the projects and that God must speak to you, our friends, supporters, and fellow servants in the call that God has called us to.
I restate my position on this cross that I will not give in, give up, stop, or quit, until this project is completed. We will in Jesus’ Name have a Cross with a prayer center under it, a place to drive up and park to pray, a prayer and welcome center, and a place that is easily accessible that you can come and pray through problems, troubles, difficulties, and burdens.
There have been so many reasons why I know that God has called us to this project. Just yesterday afternoon, a man and woman sat under the cross in their truck, because of our step of faith and paved the area. A Pastor went up around it to pray. Many have stopped to view the cross. Since the building of the cross, we have had a phone call from a lady saying it’s changed the atmosphere of our area, a trucker said it brought him peace after his wife’s death, a lady said she gets her direction home from it, and so much more that it would take me pages to tell of people who have said, “thanks for building the cross.”
I have taken the step of faith; we must pay the black top bill of $12,500.00, the cement bill of $10,000.00, the bricks and labor bill of $10,000.00. The bricks have been ordered, the sign is $3,500.00, and other costs for phase two are over $10,000.00! Will you help us complete phase II of this cross project and not forget the youth cost during this Christmas season?
If you will help us, we will again extend to anyone who gives us $150.00 an engraved brick to put any name on it you desire that honors Christ.
Bishop Timothy W. Cummings
