Why this property? Why not another, less expensive property? This is the only property that is already zoned for church use in the area. Real estate values have gone up in the last few years in East San Gabriel Valley. The property’s size (about 5 acres) and location (situated on a hill inside the city line of Walnut that borders West Covina, with no potential of development on the adjoining land) is truly ideal for Gospel Life’s vision of a 21st Century Christian community church located in a residential area. From the start, Gospel Life’s vision for its ministry required not only facilities for worship and children/youth ministries, but also a multi-purpose building for community use (cultural events, programs, concerts, seminars, conferences, sports, exercise/physical conditioning classes, social events–anniversaries, weddings, etc., and community services such as food distribution, etc.).

With this kind of facility on a strategically located property, Gospel Life intends to be one of the community centers that will serve the surrounding neighborhoods and cities. Once on the property, they will be able to expand their social, educational and charitable programs in the community.

Two weeks after John and Jessie started praying, there was a fire in the church building, badly damaging it. This was discouraging to them, but they continued praying for the property. Sometime in May, John was impressed to share their "Faith Dream" with the other leaders of the church. The other leaders were also impressed that God would give the property to Gospel Life, and realizing the impossibilities, they, too, wanted to pray for the "Faith Dream." A week of praying and fasting after their annual retreat was planned for early September. After the week of prayer and fasting, we planned to write to the owner (whose address we did not know), offering to purchase the property (which was NOT for sale). However, things were moving faster than they realized.

On July 31, 2003, after 130 days of prayer, John and Jessie RECEIVED a Fax from Ming Deh Development Society (the property owner), advising that they were NOW SELLING the property for $2.5 million. They were dumbfounded and amazed. The impossible had happened! The property was for sale now. They did not have to contact the owner to persuade them to sell. The owners have contacted them! Besides, they did not know how to contact the owner. The owner’s name and address had been lost since they were sent a letter a few years back. But the owner had kept their letter and had contacted them instead. IMPOSSIBILITY No. 1 happened! God was definitely moving, and He was ahead of their schedule!

The following Monday, John and Jessie learned from the owner what had transpired behind the scenes. In early March, about the same time they were impressed to start praying for the property, the owner received two offers for the property, without solicitation, both at the price of $2.5 million. The owner’s board DID NOT want to sell the property. Their plans for a large temple had been approved by the City several years ago. Although construction had been delayed and the permit had expired, they were NOT ready to sell yet. What made them change their minds? According to the owner, several factors contributed to their decision to sell. However, one major deciding factor was the FIRE that discouraged John and Jessie!

Why did they contact Gospel Life? They could have just selected either of the two offers. But the owner’s board members wanted to be fair to all of the parties that expressed interest in the property. So, they sent letters to all of the parties who sent them letters. And instead of increasing their profit by getting the buyers to outbid each other in an auction-like process, they just asked interested parties to make an offer at the same price. Gospel Life was asked to submit an offer and background information on the church and its intentions on the use of the property. The owner’s board would decide on their August 24 meeting who the buyer would be.

Within the same week, Gospel Life members voted to move forward in faith by submitting an offer to purchase the property for $2.5 million, cash, with a 60-day closing! No loans, no contingencies. The members had no idea where such a large sum would come from. All they knew was that there was nothing impossible with God, and when He directs them, they are only here to obey and trust Him. God had already caused the owners to abandon their project and decide to sell the property; why wouldn’t He take care of the money?

On August 12, 2003, the offer was mailed to the owner. The next day the owner telephoned John, wanting to know more about their fund-raising strategy (which they did NOT have). John informed him that Gospel Life only had $100,000 in cash currently. The owner indicated that while he understood that the church members were trusting God to help, he pointed out that the two other offers are quite solid and it would not be easy to persuade the other board members to sell to Gospel Life, instead of selling to either of the two interested parties. In spite of this, he encouraged John to go ahead and draft a Purchase Agreement, giving him the names of the title company and escrow officer and dictating some of the terms.

John sensed that the owner’s CEO was very sympathetic to Gospel Life and what it wants to do with the property. During their conversation, the CEO indicated that he was no stranger to faith ventures. He stated that they also believe in God and Jesus, even though they are not Christians. According to him, they also want to live like Jesus. At the end of their conversation, he encouraged John and Gospel Life to do their best and then "leave it in the hands of God."

We had to cross the Jordan! We could do no less! We had to obey God’s call and step into the water!

When their offer was mailed, Gospel Life members did not know how the purchase money would be raised. They had no plan. They only believed that God would come up with His own plan. But John knew that he would get a telephone call from owner’s CEO, to ask about their fund-raising strategy. And they didn’t have a plan. At least, not until the next morning.

As soon as she awoke, Jessie told John, "I know how the money would come, we’re going to use the e-mail." That was it. For days, Jessie had been talking to John about how Jesus instructed Peter to cast a line into the lake, and the first fish he would catch would have the temple tax money in its mouth. They didn’t know what it meant. Now they knew. In this age, the internet is the "lake," thousands of lines are to be cast in it (to e-mail addresses) and God would move many, many people to provide what they needed for the church property.

That evening, during their midweek prayer meeting, the members were informed about the plan to ask for small gifts from thousands of people through the internet. The members felt that this was from the Lord and were very thankful. The members also decided to advance the week of praying and fasting that was planned for September to the following week. They started making their own commitments and signing up for ministries that were needed at the new church property. They also participated in a 48-hour prayer vigil over the weekend, praying that God would influence the owner’s board during their meeting in North Carolina.

On September 3, John received the long-awaited phone call from the owner, to inform him about the owner’s decision. They had voted to sell the property to Gospel Life (although there were three other cash offers for the same price), opening the way for Gospel Life to experience a MODERN-DAY MIRACLE from God! Another unbelievable thing had happened. The offer of the least qualified of the buyers was accepted by the seller and escrow was opened with a closing date of November 4, 2003. For Gospel Life members, there was only one explanation: GOD DID IT! As God had planned it, IMPOSSIBILITY No. 2, again, actually happened!

On November 4, 2003, the day the sale was supposed to close, we still did not have full amount for the purchase. That same day Johnny Mohr telephoned John to inquire about our ability to close the sale. After being informed that we didn’t have the funds, he asked John if we wanted to have an extension. During their conversation, he also informed John that if we didn’t proceed with the purchase, their board might decide not to sell the property to another party, even though there are three back-up offers.

In spite of the Lord’s blessings, with $250,000 collected from the emails, letters, and members within only two months, we were disappointed because we expected the whole amount of $2.5m! During the Prayer Session that evening it seemed that doubt and unbelief crept in and the evening was a disaster. But God was teaching us that His ways are different from our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts! We found ourselves looking closely into our hearts.

The Sellers granted us an extension to December 15, 2003 so we could plan for another strategy in raising the needed funds. The Seller suggested going for a $1.5m bank loan and maybe, the Sellers might carry $500,000 loan, with a $500,000 down.

When the new deadline came, we still were unable to close. John mailed a cancellation letter to the escrow company, instructing them to pay the $75,000-deposit to the Sellers as penalty. The Seller’s CEO telephoned John immediately, shocked that we have cancelled the escrow, he said "I’ve worked hard for you, we will not sell to anyone else," and proposed an extension to February 4, 2004, with new terms: $500,000 down payment, 6% interest, $250,000 annual payments, 36 months to pay, sellers will carry loan. GLC REJECTED this proposal - GLC did not want monthly principal payments.

Mr. Mohr called John again, saying that they will not let us cancel because they really want to see GLC have this property. A new proposal was offered by the Sellers: $500,000 down payment, monthly interest payment only, $2 mil due end of 3 years. GLC accepts.

On February 4, 2004, we still did not raise the required down payment. We only had $375,000 on hand. The Sellers asked us to bring our down payment up to $400,000 and they will agree to close escrow as soon as possible. We immediately accepted the proposal. That weekend, our members went to the property to praise the Lord and to pray for His provision. We marched around the church seven times, claiming the property for God’s kingdom.

The following weekend, on February 13, 2004 (Friday), we were able to close escrow. The Sellers ended up carrying the loan, which they did not want in the beginning. Additionally, they carried the loan, without asking for any financial statement from GLC, nor any credit record of any of the pastors or members!

By HIS WORD, God brings into existence what did not exist before! We had nothing–we have nothing, BUT He always makes something out of nothing! How did it happen that we were OUTSIDE THE GATE praying, and now we are INSIDE THE GATE giving thanksgiving and praise to the God who is faithful and whose promises are true! It was BY HIS WORD!

On February 15, 2004, we began the work of restoring the building, with very little money. All of our funds had been used for the down payment. The building had been declared substandard and it could not be used until major repairs were made. But we knew we were moving in obedience to God. Through the following months, God was faithful, providing the necessary funds on time.

On November 20, 2004, nine months after taking possession of the property, we celebrated the inauguration of the restored building. We have many, many stories to tell about God’s miracles. This has been truly a year of miracles, a year of God’s favor.