Multipurpose facilities offer churches a variety of evangelism opportunities

Recreation facilities, child-care centers, community meeting areas, disaster relief headquarters and even voting polls — throughout the state, Alabama Baptist congregations are using their multipurpose facilities creatively to meet the needs of their congregation and community.
   
Gary Swafford, director of church planting and building services at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said this form of outreach is a reflection of change in our society. “People are seeking community in a safe environment, and this is especially true with our kids. It shows Christianity in practice because Christianity is relational.
   
“The first relationship is to Christ and the second is to people. It is loving your neighbor as yourself. Churches who open their doors to the community will reap the benefits,” he said.
   
A few months after Sweet Home Baptist Church, McKenzie, completed its multipurpose facility, the church reached out to area residents by serving as a shelter.
   
During Hurricane Ivan, the church housed about 60 people, according to church treasurer Lottie Campbell. 
   
The church plans to use the building to meet the needs of area youth  and provide room for other church and community activities, she said.
   
After building a two-story multi­purpose facility four years ago, Higher Ground Baptist Church, Irvington, began using its building for all of its office space, church programs and special events.
   
Over the years, the facility has proven to be a good investment for the church, according to Pastor Bryce Evans.
   
“This has been a real blessing,” he said. “It allows us to reach children of all ages. We have about doubled our Sunday School in the last year.”
   
Higher Ground plans to build another multipurpose facility to house the church auditorium and more Sunday School space.
   
Like Higher Ground, First Baptist Church, New Hope, began using its 12,000-square-foot multipurpose facility primarily for church programs after dedicating it less than two years ago.
   
Now, the church has opened its doors to the community for wedding receptions, a ladies conference, high school basketball practice, meals for the football team and Vacation Bible School.
   
Last June, the church held a health fair and blood drive said  Pastor Larry Bishop.
   
“[The building] has provided us with a tool to reach out to our community and minister to them in a nonthreatening environment,” he said. “People come to this facility as opposed to them coming to church on Sunday. They are less threatened with church in this arena.”
   
Although the facility of First, New Hope,  has been well used, Bishop advises churches to establish a need and purpose for the building before beginning  construction.
   
“The church has to be in full support in erecting this type of facility,” he said. “You are inviting the lost world into a Christian environment in a recreational setting and a church has got to be prepared for that. It’s a challenge.
   
“They’ve got to stand firm on their principles and beliefs and deal with the worldly mind-sets brought in during recreational activities.”
   
First Baptist Church, Montgomery, also uses its facilities as a multi­purpose ministry tool.
   
“When our pastor came here about 13 years ago, he has the mind-set that God has blessed us with the facility and we need to share it,” said Jane Ferguson, minister of community ministries. “It exposes people to our church and congregation. If they come here for some event they may decide they want to come back.”
   
With facilities that stretch over a four-block area in downtown Montgomery, three congregations meet in the church buildings.
   
In addition, the church opens its doors to the public for workshops, banquets and partnership programs including language and GED classes.
   
The church also houses the offices for Strategies to Elevate People, Crossroads to Recovery and a free teachers supply store for Montgomery County public school teachers.
   
“It opens up a lot of opportunities to share our faith and learn what we are about. I guess you could call it hospitality evangelism,” Ferguson said.