Title: Volunteers to build dreams into reality
Date: February 15, 1999
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
99b-8
INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The dreams of a new Columbus, Ohio, congregation's first building are almost reality. Vision Builders! Construction, the Disciples volunteer program supporting new congregations, is finalizing plans with New Fellowship Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to join construction crews that begin May 1.
Volunteers from Disciples congregations across the nation, in partnership with New Fellowship Christian Church, will help construct a ministry center that includes a multipurpose room for worship and community service, classrooms, an adult training center and day-care facilities. More than 400 volunteers will join members from the southeast Columbus church, June 1 to Sept. 1, to construct the 8,000-square-foot building on a site owned by the congregation.
Skilled and unskilled volunteers from across the denomination will provide most of the construction labor. The talents and gifts for building of members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will enhance and expand our denomination's resources and the resources of New Fellowship Christian Church, said the Rev. Lee Parker, regional minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia.
Plans for this first Vision Builders! Construction volunteer project began nearly two years ago with a search for new congregations that needed a first building. The timing was right for New Fellowship. For 10 years the congregation has met in six different locations including a funeral home, according to Nolita Squires, youth minister at New Fellowship.
Under the leadership of the Rev. David Foster, New Fellowship had grown to 80 members, purchased land and begun planning with Board of Church Extension to meet the pressing need for a new building. It was this need that ultimately led to the selection of the growing church as the first Vision Builders Construction! volunteer partner congregation.
New Fellowship Christian Church has a dream and vision of offering skill training in child care, cosmetology and food preparation. The architect's drawings and site plan include provisions for the broad variety of ministries.
Members of the congregation told Vision Builders! Construction planners of their vision, built upon God's call, and their desire to faithfully respond. Upon hearing of the national extent of the volunteer participation, New Fellowship member Ann Price, exclaimed, "I can't believe that people all over the country would care that much about us. It's a dream come true!"
Disciples are encouraged to be a part of New Fellowship's dream. Members may go to Columbus this summer to volunteer, or offer support and prayers for the project and the congregation. To apply as a volunteer, or for more information, contact the Vision Builders! office at P.O. Box 7030, Indianapolis, IN 46207. Interested persons also may call (800) 274-1883, or send electronic mail to vb@bce.disciples.org.
The Rev. Chuck Babcock (cbabcock@bce.disciples.org) is the coordinator of the Vision Builders! Construction project in Columbus.
Vision Builders! Construction is the volunteer component of Vision Builders!, the development and promotional arm of New Congregation Establishment of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Rev. Deborah R. Thompson is director of Vision Builders! The Rev. Vertie Powers is director of New Congregation Establishment.
-- end --