The "I AM" windows make abundantly clear what Jesus said, "I AM the light of the world" (John 8:12). He ascends to God "who is light; and in Him there is no darkness at all." (I John 1:5). God approved of the Son by raising Him from the dead (Acts 2:32) of which Jesus prophesied and declared to Martha, "I AM the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies." (John 11:25).

If we study the windows beginning from the left and moving left to right, we will discover in design, symbol, and depiction the other great I AM statements:

"I AM the Alpha (first) and the Omega (last)..." (Rev. 1:17-18)

"Before Abraham was, I AM..." (John 8:58)

"I AM the door; if anyone enters thru me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)

"I AM the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

"I AM the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

This significant piece of work was created by Chris Powers of Powers Illustrated Stain Glass in Scottsdale, AZ. Our committee that worked closely with him was chaired by Beth Emmons and included Maxine Conrad, Ruth Lord, Erskine Scates, Gene Carter, Don Martin, Tony Kuzdas and Jim Ayers. The project consumed five months of planning and selecting an artisan and then five months of careful selection and fabrication of the windows themselves. The work was done by Chris, his two brothers, a sister and his mother. The committee gave many hours and five or six trips to Scottsdale. We tried to be helpful and he was wonderfully patient with us. The lower windows were installed June 4, and the upper ones on July 9, 1998. The total cost was $29,730.

In Exodus 3:14 at the burning bush, Moses came to know God by His revealed name, YAHWEH (I AM). In Hebrew JESUS (Yeshuah) means "Yahweh saves." Jesus deliberately identifies Himself with Israel’s One true God…"I AM" in the statements above. He said, "When a man believes in Me, he does not believe in Me only, but in the One who sent me. When he looks at Me, He sees the One who sent Me." No wonder Thomas got the response: "I AM the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)