Note: If you missed Pastor Andrew’s message on the significance of and reason for the monument, take time to listen to the message here. If you’ve only got a few minutes, watch this brief overview.
When you walk into New Covenant, it’s hard to miss the gigantic stone monument in the middle of Main Street. At first glance, the structure might be confusing, or maybe even just look like three simple pillars of stone. But this interactive piece of art has deep symbolism and God has been using it to change people’s lives - even before it got to Main Street.
Ryan Lebeda, one of the monument's creators, shares below how this project came to be, the details of the build and how building this monument has changed his heart:
Over the past four years I feel like God has consistently challenged me to give more of myself to Him in ways that are designed to help me grow in relationship with my Savior, and as a husband and father. It has really been a journey of humility and grace, along with giving up “my time” for His will.
Creating a Plan
Midsummer Pastor Andrew brought an idea to Teeg and I, asking if we could help to create something tangible for the Hebrews series. The project concept was to create something resembling an altar upon which people could place an object that signifies something in their lives that they're placing above Jesus.
After forming a team (see names below) and brainstorming ideas, we decided to build a large square shaped stone altar using foam and concrete. Then, little by little people would complete it throughout the sermon series by placing their rocks in intentional gaps. Through research, we found that altars, like the one Abraham built, were made with unhewn stones—meaning stones not cut with human tools. This lead us to try to make stones we could find naturally in Eastern Iowa, which is why we decided on the faux-limestone look.
Facing Challenges, Rethinking the Plan
Time was the largest obstacle that we faced. Originally, we were planning to take the stones all the way to the bottom of the sign. After the second work-weekend, we realized that we'd need another couple of months in order to complete a structure that large, and it would be incredibly difficult to maneuver into place.
We were very fortunate to have many of the materials donated for this project, including the wood beams given by Nate Hoffman. Dan Sullivan came up with an excellent design revision to take the columns up the rest of the way using the same material as the beams which solved both the time and transportation issues. It was almost unrecognizable as a challenge because the group was able to shift so quickly to the new and better design that we just kept moving. And we really needed to!
Seeing God at Work
God has been working on my heart and mind to be able to see the joy available to us through service to Him. Taking a discipleship class at church and beginning a consistent prayer life, have changed the focus of my erratic mind into one that can better utilize it's spiritual gifting. Once I finally leaned into God's desires for my life, I started to see how everything I had done and gone through in my past would help me with the tasks he has laid out in front of me. Internally, I now identify those many life-events as large pillars that once frustrated me as they stood in my way. Looking back at them they were lined up like perfectly-set dominos ready to be tipped. Each has been an opportunity for the Spirit to refine my mind, heart, and talents. Each has played a part in Him building me into the lover of Jesus that I am today. I feel that God has been at work through it all. He has been generous in gifting talents to the group of people gathered, and that's second only to the eager spirits he provided us all. Throughout the project we grew together as a team as only hearts and minds united by Christ can grow. Each member poured themselves into this project. None of us had attempted anything like this before, but I could tell from the beginning that would not be an issue. Everyone's hearts were on fire to create a true monument for Jesus, and it shows in the final product. I'm incredibly blessed by God to be given the opportunity to learn from and get to know each person better throughout the course of the project.
Making God Greater Over Everything
My hope is that this structure will be a way for people to take the next step in their walk with Jesus. I hope it invites people to reflect on what they are putting above Jesus in their own lives, and encourages them to lay their burdens down at His feet. Our God does not tolerate other idols in our lives, but He is also the fullness of grace, mercy, and love and desires for each of us to see Him as GREATER!
Team members:
Stacy Nelson
Elizabeth White (*Colton)
Nate Hoffman
Dan Sullivan (*Jess, *Cici, *Josey, *Meeko)
Teeg Stouffer (*Goodie *Finn)
Andrew Boone
Ryan Lebeda (*Megan, *Bella, *Nate)
*Offered a few extra family hours when available
An extra special shout out and large thank you to our families that allowed us to leave home-life in your care throughout August while we toiled away joyfully on this project!