Chattanooga Kids: Bricks-and-Mortar Dream Is Becoming a
Reality
In God’s house, there are many rooms…a place for everyone!
—John 14:2 adapted
Let me tell you a story—a story of the marvelous journey the
Saints went on with the Chattanooga Kids. It began with a dilemma: What do you
do when you look into the soft, wide eyes of a child, gazing up at you, simply
wanting comfort, peace, and safety? What do you do when you know that drugs,
prostitution, and crime hover like a smoldering blanket that is about to smother
the life out of an entire urban neighborhood?
Answer: You provide a safe, loving environment where
children, youth, and families know they can come to experience the unconditional
love of Jesus Christ. You provide offices, classrooms, and accommodations for a
Church Planting Center. The goal: $600,000. Your response: a mind-blowing
$628,983!
You might think we’re nearing the end of the Chattanooga story,
but it is just the beginning. Because of the Saints’ overwhelming response, the
story is becoming a bricks-and-mortar reality.
Building progress continues daily. Craig Lenfestey, project
manager, relates: “Norman, our plumber, recently walked through the side door
entrance into the gym area, looked up and exclaimed, ‘Wow!’ He recounted the
times he had came to the old hardware store as a youth. He said, ‘It’s great the
church is making this kind of investment in the youth of this area. I remember
when someone was there for me as a young boy, and it has made a huge impact on
my life. You can make a difference in the lives of many.’ Norman directs a
basketball league at his church, and we have already discussed the possibilities
of being a part of a church league once our facility is complete.”
Jim, the lead subcontractor, said, “It’s been a long time since
someone invested in the community of east Chattanooga—too long! I think it is
great what the church is doing. It’s about time. Maybe others will follow.”
Regulars at the Urban Ministries Center agree. Teenager Cedric
Mckenzie thinks “it will be a great place for us to do church and praise God.”
Domiek reflects, “It will provide more space for children and teenagers. Even
the adults can find a place where they won’t be in the way. I want to tell my
parents to come here.” Dakato (age six) states, “This is awesome. I could live
in this gym!” Petey Watts (age seven) summed up his feelings when he said, “This
is our big, big house!”
Finally—room for everyone in Chattanooga. Thank you for
responding faithfully by sharing so very generously. Yo Buddy!
—Sandra Ferguson reporting
Herald, August 2008
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