The location has changed but the mission remains the same for Tuscaloosa Baptist Association’s Christian Ministry Center: to supply clothes and food for people in need and to present the gospel to everyone who comes to the center.
On Oct. 5, the center held an open house to show off its new facility on Watermelon Road in Northport.
The association purchased the warehouse property about a year and a half ago. The building required 10 months of renovation, but that didn’t deter the ministry center volunteers, many of whom worked long days cleaning, putting up walls, building shelves and painting. Dan Livingston, a retired contractor and member of Northport Baptist Church, organized the work.
For many years, the center was housed in the historic Southside Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa. When the church disbanded about two years ago, the building was donated to the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and the association began searching for a new location for the center. More space and easy accessibility for clients were priorities for the new building.
“We are so grateful that Southside Baptist Church so graciously afforded space for this ministry for so many years, and now we look forward to serving our clients in this new location,” said Jerry Wilkins, director of missions for Tuscaloosa Association.
The center occupies half of its new building’s 8,600 square feet. After further renovation, the remaining space will house the Good Samaritan Free Medical Clinic, another ministry of the association.
An average of 350 clients are served by the center each month. Clients must provide proof of income and a referral from a local church. They may visit the center once every 90 days, and each person may choose two outfits. Food is given according to family size.
Although it is a minor part of the ministry, the center also houses a “burn-out” room, where sheets, towels, blankets and other necessities are available to families who lose their homes to fire or weather damage. But the center exists to meet more than just physical needs. “Last year, we had more than 35 professions of faith. That’s really our main purpose,” said Mary Ray, who serves as chairwoman of the center’s board of directors and has been a volunteer for more than 10 years.
Jack Brown serves as the center chaplain and schedules local ministers to present group devotionals and a team of volunteers to speak privately with clients about their spiritual needs or questions. In addition, volunteers often help clients find churches to attend.
The center is open to clients on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
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