A Strong Foundation: The Structure of our Worship Space

In our last update, we referenced the structural modifications that needed to be made in order to open up the worship space, as well as other additions and modifications around the facility. Harvest Engineering out of Opelika designed this scope of work, and has had a personal connection to the project as well.

Drew Eiland, principal at Harvest, and his family have been members at Grace Auburn for over a year, after moving back to the area in 2023. He and his wife Morgan have 3 boys: Athan, Brady, and Wade.

In conjunction with their move was the establishment of Harvest Engineering, a joint venture with a former coworker, Brad Harrison.

The more that Drew and Brad discussed the possibility of launching of new firm, they realized they both had the same vision: to practice structural engineering in a way that honors God, shares in his creative work, and blesses others.

“The name "Harvest Engineering" is a reference to Matthew 9:37, a reminder that our ultimate work is being sent out as laborers into the world, where the harvest is plenty and the workers are few,” said Drew. “Practicing as consulting engineers is a means to that greater end.”

Structural engineering revolves around the “bones” of a building: the floors, beams, columns, foundations, and other components that make a building safe and durable. Engineers like Drew typically work alongside architects and other engineers, and while they’ve worked on other church projects over the years, Skyway has been a unique project for Harvest.

“In order to give the proper form and function to the new worship area (which was formerly a two-story warehouse space), four interior steel columns needed to be removed,” explained Drew. “Each of those columns was originally desired to carry around 140,000 lbs.  As you could imagine, there was a bit of complexity associated with that. So the bulk of our time on the project wsa spent evaluating various options to safely and economically accomplish the vision of the architect and the Church leaders.”

Those long steel trusses that you see along the ceiling in these photos were designed by Harvest to shoulder the load the columns previously held. 

So how does it feel to practically, through his vocation, apply a whole life response of worship to Jesus? According to Drew, it’s a great honor and joy.

“I have seen the Lord do extraordinary works through ordinary people when they study his Scriptures, worship his Name, and seek his face together.  Those things are happening each day at Grace Auburn and whether seen or unseen, the Lord is constantly at work to draw near to his people and transform hearts.”

So, church, as you look out over the worship space this fall, remember that you are standing there because a strong foundation was placed ahead of time. What a powerful reminder that building on the foundation of Jesus ensures what we create—physically or spiritually—will endure."