Building a community: Help a family to build a church.
- kakhaberkheladze
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
a family's dedication to constructing a church in Eastern Washington.
our story:
Hello brothers and sisters May God Jesus Christ from Nazareth welcome you with love and peace. my name is kakhaber Kheladze. For those friends struggling with the pronunciation, I'll give you a little clue and a brief journey to my name's history and the meaning of it. ka/kha/ber it's an unpopular name from the ancient Iberian country of Georgia meaning "the one who makes", the one who makes and with the help of our brothers and sisters and the blessing of God I want to take the best of my name and build a church.
you must be wondering where my desire for building a church comes from? it just from my name? or is it a desire? no but it's a dream! a dream from God. but for you to understand I'll take you to my childhood and what I call my story. I was born in capital city of Georgia Tbilisi. surrounded by beautiful ancient orthodox churches and a deep submerged based faith tradition. Christianity is in our roots, and we have overcome so much in the name of our faith as a country. thanks, God, for his mercy. when I was a boy seven yrs old, I had this encounter where God showed me a church. beautiful, full of love and peace, surrounded by Angels that were praising his name and singing choirs of alleluia to the most high I was really amazed but frightened same time. I had never felt so loved by someone who was so kind but same time with an inexplicable power coming from within, but all love. the church was really beautiful and its surroundings I never forgot that encounter and by time it became part of me, God kept me close to the church, I used to help the church in my community and the more I was seeing the more I would fall in love with it. the beauty of the orthodox church and its architecture. our beloved icons of our devoting mother Marie. that orthodox Christians, we call them psalms and prayers, psalms and prayers from those brothers and sisters who by the grace and love towards our lord Jesus Christ and mother Mary had written love and left us that love passed through those holy icons. For orthodox Christians icons are not just images and pictures they serve as a spiritual window to heaven.
IN 2008 I left my beloved Georgia and immigrated to the United States. here my journey continued.
I left my relatives behind all I knew stayed there with them friends, family with a heart full of dreams, enthusiasm and big expectations.
this country became fascinating to me, still is! immediately I fell in love with its welcoming culture and its magnificent diversity I felt like home. throughout the years I have met wonderful people with amazing hearts. I am so grateful.
But my journey does not end there, it continues. because God never stops amazing me! In my journey of what we call life God has given me my beautiful family, my wife and my 3 beautiful kids.
my wife and I met while we were in college in New York her name is Anguy Angel.
my wife and I have so much in common but specially something that unites us with purpose, our deeply devotion for our mother marry and the dream of our church. she grew up in a catholic family, with a devoted mother who in lack of a church in her own community built one and has been serving to her community to today. Angel is not just a name; my wife has carried messages in this journey.
God given us a beautiful family through the blessing of our lord Jesus Christ. We Have been through so much together, lord in our journey always was and are present, we are raising our 3 beautiful children Emma Daniel Noah. three beautiful angels! as the father said in the bible "children are heritage from the lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them". that suite every man of God. together, we have overcome many hard things but most beautiful as well with our faith strong and keeping us united in God.
In 2021 we moved our family to the pacific northwest of the United States. long journey from the east coast to Washington state, Seattle is beautiful city, historical and very diverse with amazing opportunities, but God mysteriously managed to keep us moving forward. we found a very special place called Ephrata in the heart of Washington state, surrounded by breathtaking Landscape, where beauty of desolated dessert and open sky full of the stars takes me to my encounter with God and the church.
our mission
our mission is to build a magnificent Orthodox church that will serve the community in Eastern Washington. With your generous support and contribution, we strive to create a space that reflects our love for God and our commitment to our faith. Together, we can establish a place of worship and fellowship that honors the beautiful traditions of Orthodox architecture. Your contributions are essential to making this dream a reality.
The Magnificent Architecture of the Orthodox Church
The architecture of Orthodox churches is renowned for its beauty, symbolism, and adherence to tradition. This style reflects the rich history and spiritual significance of the Orthodox Christian faith.
Orthodox architecture is a testament to the faith and artistic expression of its builders, creating spaces that are not only functional but also deeply spiritual and visually stunning.
The magnificence of an Orthodox church goes beyond aesthetics; it significantly contributes to community life. Its architectural grandeur, spiritual leadership, cultural preservation, and social unity make the church a community cornerstone, promoting harmony and enrichment.
Orthodox Icons
Orthodox icons hold significant spiritual and cultural importance in the Eastern Orthodox Church. They are considered windows to the divine, serving as a means of connecting with God and the saints. The creation and use of icons are guided by specific theological principles and artistic traditions.
Icons link the present-day faithful with the historical and spiritual heritage of the Church. They connect believers to the communion of saints and the broader Christian community.
Each icon carries specific symbolism, often related to the attributes of the depicted figures or the events shown. This symbolism enriches the worship experience and deepens the understanding of faith. icons in the ceilings of the Orthodox Church are multifaceted elements that serve spiritual, educational, aesthetic, communal, liturgical, and symbolic purposes, making them essential to the Orthodox Christian.
orthodox church in the heart of eastern Washington
Spiritual Growth and Guidance
A church serves as a spiritual haven for individuals seeking guidance, inspiration, and a deeper understanding of their faith. It offers a space for worship, prayer, and reflection, contributing to personal and communal spiritual growth.
Join us today and be part of the journey to build the first Orthodox church in this breathtaking and unique landscape.
the kheladze family Commitment to Building the community Orthodox Church
As a Christian family, we are dedicated to completing our mission of building an Orthodox church for the community in Eastern Washington. this is our story, this is us.
Ways to Donate
Your contribution can make a significant difference. Here are some ways you can help today:
Online Donations: Visit our website to make a secure donation.
Monthly Giving: Consider setting up a recurring donation to provide ongoing support.
Corporate Matching: Check if your employer offers matching gifts to double your impact.
In-Kind Donations: Donate goods or services that can benefit our cause.
Support their Cause
If you are a fellow Christian or feel connected to this family's story, please consider making a donation to support their cause today.
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I think that's beautiful ! Your family is beautiful 😍 donated