A place of hope for all children

Mary Beth Sallee

Reporter, Hart County News-Herald

 

For the past few years, Jeremy Wilson has had a vision for the youth of the community.

As pastor of United Faith Independent Church in Cave City, Wilson and fellow church members are making that vision a reality with The Sanctuary Safe Haven, a community outreach center.

“The Lord had put it on my heart,” Wilson said. “…It was something I was kicking around several years ago to have a gym for our (church) kids…It’s went from a little gymnasium just for our kids to play after church or in between church to a community center (for all community children).”

Pastor Wilson explained that the goal of The Sanctuary Safe Haven is for youth to have a place to safely gather together in fun and fellowship as an alternative to destructive activities or harmful situations.

“Someone shared a story about a young person in our area that took her own life,” Wilson said. “…We don’t understand sometimes.”

“There’s so many children that when they leave the sanctity of school and their friends, they go into a place where they’re not safe,” Wilson added. “There’s got to be something in our community that can be a shelter for children, somewhere they can go after school.”

The outreach center will be constructed adjacent to the church. In March, the ground was anointed, broken, and prayed over. On April 17, dozing began.

Plans have been drawn for the layout of the facility, proposal packets have been put together, and brochures have been made. A security team will also be put in place for the protection and safety of the children.

According to Wilson, there will be at least two phases in the construction process of the facility. Phase 1 will consist of the gym which, once completed, the church plans to have open on Friday nights for youth to play basketball, listen to Christian-based music, and receive a message of ministry.

“It’s not to shove denomination,” Wilson said. “It’s to teach them about Jesus and the love of God, that there is hope and there is love because a lot of kids don’t get that.”

If all continues as planned, Phase 2 will consist of the construction of a kitchen and dining area and bathrooms with showers. Wilson said the church would also like to one day be able to open the facility to adults and youth alike who are in need of clothing and a hot meal.

“We’re going to be trusting and praying,” Wilson said. “This is much more than just our church…There’s more to it than just playing basketball.”

“You have a lot of churches…that have the facilities, but it’s just for their (church) kids,” Wilson continued. “That was my direction two or three years ago, but it’s honestly going to be now for the children of the whole community…Cave City, Glasgow, Park City, Hiseville, and even kids from Hart County…It’s not just for our church.”

Wilson stated that the hope is for Phase 1 of The Sanctuary Safe Haven to be completed in the spring of 2022. Until then, he and the church will continue to pray, work hard, and trust in the Lord to achieve this goal.

For any individual or business who would like to make a donation towards The Sanctuary Safe Haven, contact Pastor Jeremy Wilson at 270-646-8760.

United Faith Independent Church, located at 7850 N. Jackson Hwy., Cave City, will also be hosting a yard sale and breakfast on May 1 beginning at 7 a.m. All proceeds will go to benefit the construction of The Sanctuary Safe Haven.