Gallion Baptist dedicates new facility

After months of Sunday School in areas with little or no elbowroom, Gallion Baptist Church in Hale Association recently dedicated its new 17,000-square-foot family life center and educational wing. This new facility contains offices and Sunday School rooms as well as a fellowship hall, gymnasium and large nursery for babies and toddlers.

In addition to providing Gallion with the necessary space to extend its Sunday School and discipleship programs, the center is allowing the church “the needed facilities to have fellowship and activities for our youth a kind of gathering place for our kids, youth and all organizations,” said Pastor Bobby Hopper.

Despite its relatively small size — only 400 members — Gallion had an unquestionable need for a new building. With about 40 new members joining the church since August and nine newborn babies dedicated on one day, the church was not physically able to comfortably accommodate its swelling congregation.

“The church was growing,” said Hopper. “We’ve had 40 additions since August. We were out of space and were trying to have Sunday School in a cramped space.”

Fortunately, the efforts to fulfill Gallion’s need began with an endowment left by a church member. Tithes and offerings are being utilized to satisfy the remaining debt.

With a rapidly growing church and a limited amount of space, Hopper believes the church’s expansion may not be complete. A new sanctuary may be considered in the near future.

“We need one (a sanctuary) now,” he said. “We are anticipating a 30 percent growth because of the (new) building.”

According to Hopper, a planning committee will be selected to look at the immediate need and long-range plan to build a new sanctuary. Meanwhile, other creative alternatives will be explored to accommodate the increase in attendance. One idea under consideration is to incorporate another Sunday church service.

“People are beginning to move into the area and we expect continued growth,” said Hopper. “The church is looking forward to doing great ministries in the area.”