Colombo, Sri Lanka - A delegation from the Church of the Nazarene Canada and the Church in Sri Lanka, along with a number of members of the local community, attended the opening ceremony July 8 for the Colombo Ministry Centre, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Colombo Ministry Centre is a fulfillment of a long-time dream of the Church of the Nazarene in Sri Lanka.

The center houses a medical and dental clinic for the surrounding impoverished community, a church, a child development center, training facilities, the district offices for the Sri Lanka church and the offices for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Lanka. It also has one complete floor for rental to another Christian organization.

The building was funded in large part through generous donations from the estate of George and Phyllis Anstey in Canada.

The Canadian delegation included Clair MacMillan, Riley Coulter, Elaine Bumstead and her husband Dennis, along with two representatives of the George and Phyllis Anstey estate.

The traditional lighting of candles took place during the opening ceremony, followed by speeches from the Canadian delegation, Hermann Gschwandtner, field strategy coordinator for South Asia, and the building contractor.

“This whole experience in working with the Church of the Nazarene is unlike any previous building project I have undertaken. This project has brought me closer to my God,” the contractor said.

MacMillan said the completion of this project within such a short timeframe is nothing short of miraculous.

“It is just one year since I met with Mr. and Mrs. Craig, and Mr. and Mrs. Paddle, co-executors of the George and Phyllis Anstey estate, to discuss the possibility of creating this building as a center for medical and ministry in Colombo, Sri Lanka,” he said. “The remarkably prompt and refined completion is in large part due to the skillful activities NCM Lanka Director David George and his work with the architect and contractor.”

“I rejoice with the people of Sri Lanka and continually give praise to God for His providence in bringing the wishes of the Ansteys into reality,” he added.

Income from the rental floor will cover building maintenance and operational costs for years to come, making the project self–sustainable.

“The Ministry Centre building in Colombo is exceptionally well built and extremely functional for use as the center for ministry development in Sri Lanka,” said Coulter, acting president of Ambrose University College. “I was deeply impressed with the project, and highly commend all who were involved in its building for their thorough planning and outstanding workmanship. This building is truly a gift from God to the church of Jesus Christ in Sri Lanka.”

Prayer is requested for God to greatly use this ministry center as a tool to enhance the ministry of the church in reaching out to meet spiritual, social, emotional, mental and physical needs of the people of Sri Lanka and particularly those of the surrounding community.

Reprinted from NCNNews.com with permission.