A step of faith was first taken by First Baptist Church (FBC) to purchase an adjacent property, the former Belko store, to establish a community center for Greene County. The Way Community Center of Greene County is an independent nonprofit organization solely responsible for the daily operations and programs.
From inception, community participation and involvement has always been critical to the vision. Visioning sessions and conversations were held with churches, community organizations, educators, government leaders and members of the public. The vision of these groups initially formed the basis for ways the building would be used and later for the design of the facility.
Just as excitement for this project was about to translate into fundraising, the pandemic triggered a delay. Fundraising began in June 2021 within FBC and the community and continues due to inflation of the initial projected costs. Many within FBC and the community, including The Denny House which sponsored a fundraiser in June 2022, the First Assembly of God which donated the proceeds of its 2022 craft show, have been extremely gracious in their giving. Others have given of their time to demolish in the internal structure of the former Belko building. Thanks to the December 3 event, the demolition is all but complete. Fundraising will continue even as construction begins.
Both church and community members came together that Saturday in an impressive community effort to take the first step towards the completed community center. Folks of all generations and faiths came together to work, learn, hang out, or serve one another during the day. The community saw a need and rolled with, overcoming obstacles, and working together to fulfill a common goal. That day a much-wanted vision was being brought into fruition.
Jay Buckhalter, vice chairperson of The Way, shared the organization’s vision of reaching people, and how the group plans to be very intentional in relationship building. Whether it is with folks contributing to the project, or participating once completed, those relationships are important to The Way’s concept. They plan to provide a safe, educational, and intergenerational environment for all members of the community; this project is all about the people.
Before the work began that Saturday, there was a time of prayer. Area pastors prayed over the building, for the folks entering its doors, and the impact it will have on the community. It was touching witnessing both young and older folks working together to clean out the rubble of what is left inside the former Belko grocery store. The coming soon signs placed on the building at the project’s inception will soon be coming down as the vision of The Way grows ever closer to fulfillment.
While waiting for this phase of the project to get underway, the organization has been operating in the community. They are working with an area school district providing volunteers for a STEM project, working with students struggling with reading, and have collaborated with Greene County Memorial Hospital by management of the Cherry Door thrift shop.
When completed, The Way community center will be a multifaceted facility offering educational activities, multigenerational social activities and a cafe or community event space, among many other things.
“When people can come together with a common purpose and are willing to share their gifts and abilities great things can happen,” chairperson Jonathan Johnson said.
This is an exciting time for The Way and for the community, what a blessing this will be for years to come. Together as a community we are witnessing a vision coming to reality and are witnessing how powerful prayer and community truly are. If you are interested in more information on The Way or donating, check out their website at www.thewaygc.org.