Project Description
The Cross Timbers Hope Center project was originally scheduled to be completed in Spring 2020, but due to financial constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was delayed until October 2020. These budgeting issues not only delayed the project, but they forced the church to lay-off 10 percent of their staff and implement a pay-cut for the remaining 90 percent. The timing for the project was so unfortunate that the week after Cross Timbers signed their building contract, their funds were frozen for the entire church. In addition to the pandemic creating financial obstacles, it also forced the church to discontinue in-person services. Considering the renovations to their children’s ministry could only be appreciated once in-person services resumed, the church leaders were forced to come up with ways the new space could be utilized while they waited out the virus.
“Worlds of Wow worked with us through the year and were very gracious about the whole situation,” says Cross Timbers Children’s Pastor Mallori Gallegos. “We were in a contract with them, but they were going above and beyond to make sure that we were able to get this done.”
Despite the financial difficulties that arose with this project, Worlds of Wow understood the predicament of the Cross Timbers leaders and remained focused on finishing the installation on their schedule. The delays on the project did however present unforeseen opportunities for increased collaboration and communication between the client and Worlds of Wow. This allowed the design and installation teams to be much more thorough and meticulous with this particular project, and the Cross Timbers officials stated they could not be more happy with the finished project, all things considered. Similarly, the lack of in-person services meant the congregation would not be able to enjoy the renovations for the foreseeable future, but the church worked around that issue by turning the space into a community hub. Instead of using the children’s ministry area for traditional worship, the church has opened its doors to members of the community who want to use the space for events like birthday parties or family gatherings. The multipurpose uses of the newly renovated play environment underscores the benefits of reimagining a play area, even if the space can’t be utilized for what it was originally intended for.
“It’s less important for in-person services than it is for our community,” says Mallori. “We’ve really shifted our focus from Sunday worship to weeklong outreach, and I believe the new renovations will allow us to reach even more people than before, even if it’s not how we expected to use it.”