ORLANDO- Many hands, for many hearts the ministry slogan for Sanctuary of Praise Ministries, is taking on a brand new meaning as the church expands to make room for more hands to serve the heart and soul of Central Florida. Dr. Jonathan L. McKnight and his southwest Orlando congregation are nearing completion of the ministry’s most immediate construction project, a worship facility seating more than 1,800 parishioners. Almost exactly one year to the day, after celebrating the opening of the ministry’s multi-million dollar commercial and professional plaza, Beacon Pointe at Kirkman; Sanctuary of Praise will march into the newly constructed sanctuary located at 5600 Westgate Drive at the intersection of Kirkman Road in Orlando (directly behind the current worship facility). After a 6-month construction designed edifice is the new home for worship services, while the existing sanctuary will accommodate the Youth and Children’s ministries, the Food and Clothing Banks, as well the Ministry Training Center.

The celebrated kicked off with Family & Friends and Community Day on Sunday, June 10, at the new facility with worship services at 8am and 11am, featuring special guest, Pastor Beverly Crawford and a free concert with CeCe Winans, the Mime Boyz. That was just the beginning. The celebration continued June, 21-23, 2007 with the Traveling Prayer Conference at the newly constructed sanctuary. Services began on Thursday, June 21, at 7:30 pm with Bishop Neil C. Ellis of Nassau, Bahamas and guest psalmist, Elder William Murphy III. On Friday, June 22, at Noon, the worship continued with Dr. Jonathan L. McKnight and Elder William Murphy III. The woman whose passion is prayer, Prophetess Juanita Bynum Weeks, charged congregants on Friday, June 22, at 7:30pm, along with guest psalmist, David, Nicole, and Lisa Binion and again on Saturday at 8am with Morning Glory and Worship at Noon. Uninterrupted prayer was held after each worship service throughout the 3 day conference.

On Saturday, June 17 beginning at 11 am Dr. Jonathan L. McKnight and Sanctuary of Praise Ministries of Orlando hosted the grand opening celebration of Beacon Pointe, 805 S. Kirkman Road, adjacent to Orlando’s Metro West Community. Activities were planned for the entire family, and representatives from the plaza’s resident businesses were available to answer questions about services they are providing.

The 33,000-square-foot professional plaza began transforming the cityscape at the intersection of Kirkman Road and Westgate Boulevard in September 2004 and today stands as a 21st century architectural masterpiece. Beacon Pointe serves as home to Orlando’s premier soul food restaurant, Mama Nem’s (a classy blend of soul food and American cuisine); Sobik’s Subs; BJ Adams & Associates (accounting firm); Beacon Trust; Divine Consumer Finance; Findit Free Realty (Century 21); Anderson and Associates Law Firm; Bridge Builders; and Highest Point Interior Designs.

Project developer, entrepreneur, global philanthropist, author, motivator, mentor and prolific preacher and teacher, Dr, Jonathan L. McKnight stands firm on a foundation of commitment in caring for the Central Florida community and declares the mission of Beacon Pointe to be that which “provides the ministry and community partners with opportunities to be impacted spiritually, economically, and socially.”