"This church believes in prayer,” said Mitch Williams, pastor of the Downey Church, as he recounted God’s leading in an extensive renovation program funded by a prayer-based development program called, “No Sarah Laughing.”

In 1997, the local elders were asked how much could be raised to refurbish the church plant. They gathered their courage and said around $60,000. At the same meeting, they learned $250,000 would be required.

With memories of a once-prosperous church, many members simply smiled in unbelief when the pastor announced the formidable scope of the project and the goal to raise $100,000 and simply pray for God’s guidance. The phrase, “No Sarah Laughing,” became the fund-development slogan—a reminder of the familiar question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18:14).

Seven years later, after receiving more than $300,000 in donations and in-kind services used to complete the exterior and interior renovations of the church buildings, there is no more “Sarah Laughing.” The believers at the Downey church have witnessed for themselves what the Lord can accomplish if His church will merely follow Him.

Williams said, “Now the Lord is leading us to refurbish the Sabbath school rooms, fellowship hall and kitchen. (As this goes to press, the kitchen, four bathrooms and two Sabbath school rooms are complete.) We call this fund development, 'the oil that doesn’t run out,' based on 1 Kings 17:14. The Lord has raised around $23,000 for this project and each time we move ahead with the project, the balance seems to stay the same.

“All the remodeling, though, is for the purpose of missions. The Lord has taught us to build for a harvest and configure our rooms to be inviting and accommodating to our community in the 21st century. More important than the entire refurbishing projects are the Spirit-filled believers who make the Downey fellowship inviting to the guests each Sabbath. To see additional pictures of the remodeling, visit www.downeychurch.org and click on Photo Albums.

“With an attendance of around 100, this active group supports two bands, a drama team, puppet team, an active Internet presence and a choir. The music is contemporary with the goal of connecting to first-time attendees and aiding them in their worship experience.

“We thank God for allowing us to be a part of His team and giving us the faith to follow Him.”