Zerubbabel Focus: Alpen Acres–The Physical Plant
by R.M.

In the spring ’99 issue of The Intercessor Tommy Frewitt wrote about the purpose and function of our Total Living Center. Many people are involved in making the Total Living Center a place where people can come and experience the life-changing message of Christ living His life through us. I would like to describe my role in the physical elements and day-to-day operations of our facility.

Since I was a child, I have loved fixing things. God was preparing me early for the way He would use me, but I had to have my understanding adjusted to see His purposes. In the past I had believed that my responsibility was to maintain the physical plant and I would let someone else deal with the spiritual issues. Now I see that my primary responsibility is for the spiritual health of first, myself, and then my family, and all others God gives me as my extended family.

Zerubbabel’s Total Living Center utilizes the Alpen Acres Motel and house (where the Zerubbabel office is located) and Youth House (which is on the property adjacent to the motel). They overlook NC state route 321 just north of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The facility consists of 19 rooms of various sizes and a chalet. We are located on 4+ acres of gorgeous land.

We have made many improvements to the property since we purchased it in 1992. The motel rooms have been repainted, recarpeted, received new bathroom floors, mattresses, artwork and, where needed, furniture. One summer camp project was the painting of the exterior of all the motel buildings, including re-roofing one of the buildings. Over the years other summer projects have included improving the drainage, building a new deck, landscaping, and painting the interior of the Youth House. The improvements have been a combination of individual effort, group projects, and specialized contractors for projects for which we did not possess the expertise or have the time. The transformation has brought many positive comments from our guests and neighbors.

Pat and I are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility. Pat makes sure that the rooms are kept clean and up to standard for our guests. She oversees the housekeeping, linen service, carpet cleaning, advertising, pest control service, as well as paying the bills and doing the accounting for the property. She also maintains contact with other motel operators and Chambers of Commerce to which we belong.

I maintain the equipment, including electrical, plumbing, TV’s, landscaping and the pool. We get a lot of help from people in our local fellowship with specific projects like raking leaves, cleaning curtains, trimming shrubs, planting flowers, painting, and consulting in their areas of expertise. It is a team effort to keep the physical plant going so we will have a place to have our Total Living Center.

Our primary business is spreading the message of Christ in you, living His life as you. Many times people have come to stay for periods of time to receive the help they need to make this a reality. Others have joined us on a permanent basis. Last year we had two families move here [see Chris Anderson’s account in the Area Fellowship News, Fall, 1999]. We housed them until they were in their own homes.

The facility is also used in conjunction with our business meeting weekend and summer camp. The weekends before and after camp are largely centered around the motelyouth house. From the Zerubabbel office we publish The Intercessor; conduct the tape and book ministries and republish Norman Grubbs books. Z-News, our youth magazine, has recently set up a new office in the Youth House so they could have their own equipment and space.

The banner that is printed on the cover of The Intercessor quotes Col. 1:28, "Presenting every man perfect in Christ Jesus" It is my joy and privilege to play the part that I do in spreading this good news.