PROJECT EXECUTIVE FOR WORLD HEADQUARTERS
In 1989, Campus
Crusade for Christ, (CRU) an interdenominational ministry then located in
San Bernardino, California, received an offer of 275 acres in Southeast Orange
County from local landowner Charles Bradshaw who hoped the gift would draw the
ministry to Central Florida. CRU accepted the gift and in 1991 moved its world
headquarters to temporary space in Orlando, hoping to build approximately
250,000 sf of office and training space and a visitor’s center in a campus like
setting.
Initial efforts to develop plans, secure entitlements and
zoning, and raise the funds necessary to construct the new headquarters
stalled. In 1994, CRU Founder and President Dr. Bill Bright turned to Jay
Berlinsky to jump start the headquarters project and lead it to completion. Jay
accepted the challenge.
He and his development team quickly engaged architects and
engineers to create a site plan and building designs while developing a plan to
obtain the necessary zoning and entitlements. In addition to preparing the
large number of complex applications required by municipal agencies, team
members met individually with agency staff and elected officials to clarify
their plans and respond to questions. They held multiple meetings with
residents and other landowners in the area. The development team was also
actively engaged in the fundraising effort, offering assurances to potential
donors that the project was feasible and that every contributed dollar would be
spent wisely.
Ground was finally broken in 1996 and in October of 1998,
CRU’s world headquarters on the shores of Lake Hart was dedicated. Almost
twenty years later, as the landscape has matured and the buildings have aged,
the campus is home to more than 1,000
staff and volunteers.
