Steve Fowler, February 6-7

For years (literally) we have been talking about constructing a building on Broadway. When I came to Salem Alliance, I stood with Tim France (our Operations Manager) and John Stumbo (our Lead pastor at the time) on Fifth Street and listened to John bubble with anticipation about a piece of land on Broadway God graciously allowed us to have. His eyes were “alive” as he wondered what God would do on Broadway. The years have passed, and the dream transformed into a vision for the Broadway project. This is going to be a place where church, community and commerce will gather for the common good. The Broadway building will be a place for the church. It will be a place for the community. It will be a place for commerce. And, it’s all for the common good. This building is a gift to the people of Salem, Keizer and the surrounding communities.

For several years we have wondered what we should name the building. There have been countless suggestions. I have to be honest. There were plenty of names to choose from, but none felt right for whatever reason. It wasn’t that they weren’t good names, we just kept waiting for the name that would, “pop.” You know, a name that would elicit the response, “Wow.”

We have decided on a name for the building. It’s a name that I’m pretty sure won’t stun you with wonder nor will it inspire parades on Main Street. Yet, it’s a name that is true to who we are because frankly, I’m not too interested in “flash and glitz.”

The Broadway project is now officially, “Broadway Commons.” We are being true to the vision God gave to us in the beginning of this journey. This will be a place where church, community and commerce gather for the common good. Broadway Commons is for everyone; the rich and the poor, the sick and the healthy, the lost and the found. It’s for everyday people, common people. It’s for your neighbor, your co-worker, your Dad, your friend. May Jesus be honored as we faithfully listen and follow.