DCCMF History
As the undergraduate ministry began to grow in the Blue Hens for Christ club,
the issue regarding the location of the church as related to the campus really
became an a serious problem if we were to grow the ministry. Like it or not
students prefer not to have to travel great distances for meeting places or
activities, or there is a transportation problem. Consequently a solution for
how to over come that issue had to be faced.
In the fall of 2002, the active
supporters of the ministry began to look into a way to provide a student center
near campus that our church could not afford by itself. What emerged from those
meetings was a decision to build a foundation could serve to raise and disburse
funds. Our foundation was loosely based on an existing one at Auburn University
in Birmingham, AL. It was organized, blessed by the IRS, and incorporated in the
state of Delaware in the spring of 2003. Originally there 9
board members
but soon added 4 more. All are volunteer and there are no paid positions.
In May 2003 we held a kickoff meeting for supporters and donors with the
goal of purchasing a facility on or near campus. To
find out more about
us visit our website at www.dccmf.org where you can find our mission,
governance, accounting standards, and
other useful information. We are
supported by churches and individual donors. Please check out our brochure
and newsletter
for how to contribute to this work.
A house came on the market in late 2003, near the main library, within
blocks of two very large student centers, student rental
properties, and
academic buildings. We believed God wanted us to have it, even though we had
no funds. We made an offer, began a campaign to raise funds and by April
2004 we closed on the purchase of the home to be used as a student center
and immediately made it available to the Blue Hens for Christ. City and
state ordinances and regulations delayed the full use of the house. We had
renovations that included compliance for
ADA regulations for ramps, and
restrooms. We had to install a sprinkler system. We had to install a
stormwater management system for our parking lot. And on and on. The city
permitted us, conditionally, to use some of the facility during the interim
and the Blue Hens has grown substantially.
Finally over 4 years later, In December 2008 we were given a Certificate
of Occupancy and use by the city. We continue fundraising effort for
operating expenses, financial support for mission service, and look to
provide funds for interns, retreats and seminars. We just opened a student
designed coffee shop that we estimate 10 to 20 students per day
utilize.
