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 Emerald Hills can be summed up in 3 main verbs:
pray.retreat.learn In keeping with the first verb, plans are now underway to begin the first Prayer Pavilion. One of our major goals is to place the worshipper in the middle of God's beautiful creation -- allow him/her to feel the breeze, smell the fresh air and flowers, and experience first hand the grandeur of God's amazing earth.
(Above, worshippers gather under a rental tent at Emerald Hills for prayer and singing. We had to blur the face of the worshipper 2nd from the left since she's already at work in a very sensitive country.) Without a pavilion, tents are the only option if we want to stage an outdoor gathering that can happen in any weather. These tents require many man-hours to set up in advance and tear down afterward. In addition, they are costly and they have a circus-like appearance. Thus our quest: the first prayer pavilion at Emerald Hills.  This first pavilion will be built just south of the Meadow Parking Area, near the back of the non-wooded part of the property, not all that far from the Freedom Barn. In the photo at left, you can see the Meadow Parking Area (in its final stages of construction). The first Prayer Pavilion is slated to be located in the grassy area in the left of the photo. For those more "plan-oriented", download the site plan in pdf form immediately below:
Pavilion site plan (PDF: 169K) So what will this pavilion look like? In "Scenario A", it would feature lots of cedar, thus setting the tone for the future World Harvest Center (see the articles under "The News|Dreams to Build"). Current planning projects it at 24' x 36', with an 8' extension on the backside to allow for construction of a large fieldstone fireplace. (Jefferson County fire codes do not permit open fires; fires in a fireplace with a chimney are, however, allowed.) This would allow overnight work teams and other groups to enjoy a rousing campfire, s'mores, and good fellowship in the peaceful setting of Emerald Hills. Following the "rousing" part, worshippers could look into the glowing coals to see what God is teaching them under a gorgeous Emerald Hills starry sky.  The pavilion should break down like this:
- Green metal (rust-proof aluminum, exactly like the barn roof -- forest or fern green): $3000
- Cedar trusses (low-pitch beams, kiln-dried, glu-lam southern yellow pine, sealed): $5500
- Columns (Glu-lam Port Orford Cedar): $2500
- Roof decking (#1 2" x 6" S.Y. pine tongue & groove with v-grooves on finish face) $3000
- Fascia (1" x 8" S4S D & Better Cedar): $250
- Engineering, drawings, permits: $250
- All hardware, fasteners, etc.: $500
- Transportation from factory (in Polo, IL): $1000
- Concrete pad package (24' x 36', with 8' additional feet extension on one end for fireplace, 8'x5' extension on the other end for walkway to the Meadow Parking Area, 6" thick concrete with mesh): $2,800
- Exhibits that teach/model prayer, along with signage, etc. - $1200
- Fireplace (stone) package (depending on how fancy): $1,000 - $5,000
- Costs of erecting the pre-cut kit at Emerald Hills: $10,000 (Note: We hope God will raise up volunteers to cover this cost, so it will be a non-factor.)
- Cupola, lightning protection, etc., and other options as decided by Fern Creek leadership.
Total: About $25,000 An earlier version of this article asked for prayer that a church or group would step forward and "adopt" this cause. After intensive praying and planning sessions by its missions committee, elders, and finally its entire board, Fern Creek Christian Church in Louisville, KY decided on the evening of February 15, 2006, to embrace this project in its entirety. By doing so, they not only provide an exemplary gift at Emerald Hills, but also signal to their congregation that prayer is a critical part of Fern Creek's long-term vision and they say to their membership that they want to see greater integration between missions in prayer at a personal and corporate level. Now they anticipate involving various groups within the congregation in the process of construction at every phase. The moment Fern Creek Christian Church Prayer Pavilion is in place, we can use it 8 months/year for... Prayer gatherings Worship Picnics Break-out groups during training sessions Campfires Start/Finish point for tours & prayer walks, hikes and Discovery Treks Rentals to weddings, receptions, family reunions, and tons of other outdoor events. In this way, the pavilion can possibly even someday become a contributor toward the costs of the World Harvest Center in the future. Water & electricity are already at the building site.
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