Leaders of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood, in Birmingham Baptist Association wanted to find a local missions project in which a large number of members could participate and make a difference in the lives of others in the surrounding community.
Two church members helped them find the perfect opportunity at a private inner-city Christian school in Fairfield called Restoration Academy.
Dawson Memorial Baptist missions committee Chairman Don McKenna and member Ken DiFatta have been involved with the school, serving on various boards for several years, and were quite familiar with the institution’s needs.
Last August, the school constructed a multipurpose facility but was only able to complete the first floor, which houses seventh- through 12th-grade students. Depending heavily on volunteer services and financial donations, it needed a group to finish the second floor and Dawson answered the call.
On Jan. 21, about 65 church members spent eight hours putting up steel framing for walls and painting a kitchen, coach’s office and weight room.
“This group saved us tremendously because they also bought the supplies needed for their efforts,” said Ty Williams, director of development affairs at Restoration Academy and member of NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville, in Birmingham Association.
“It was definitely an answer to prayer,” he added.
McKenna and DiFatta were equally happy that Dawson members were exposed to the school’s ministry.
“I think it was a great event for Restoration Academy, and a lot of new people got to hear about the wonderful educational programs that are happening at the school and how the Lord is working to change the lives of the students there,” McKenna said.
“It’s been a hope and prayer of ours for people to hear about and experience the school for a long time, and many people from the ‘over the mountain’ communities got to see the exciting way in which Restoration Academy is providing a Christian [school] for low-income students.”
DiFatta agreed. “When you get people from an ‘over the mountain’ church and bring them into that community and show them what God is doing, it generates excitement and support for the school.
“I hope that other church groups will find out about what needs to be done next and do something similar. Everybody that comes to work on that building is going to know why they are doing it,” he added.
“They are going to hear the story of Restoration Academy, and it’s going to expand the Restoration family.”
Although the school has been operating since 1988, many are unaware of its tremendous ministry, according to DiFatta.
“What Restoration is all about is meeting the spiritual and educational needs of at-risk kids in the Ensley, Fairfield and Midfield communities,” he said.
McKenna hopes that “because of lack of funding people will either come behind us and finish the physical work that we started or provide donations that will allow that work to be completed so the school can take in additional students.”
Currently Restoration Academy serves about 165 students from grades K4 through 12.
Its mission is to “restore a heritage of character, hope and a high regard for learning” by reaching out to “students who are most at risk and least able to afford a quality education.”
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