Exercise becomes part of church’s outreach
DESLOGE — There are 12 new basketballs in the corner, three volleyballs still in the package and Jim Rosener’s on his knees. He’s not praying, he’s cleaning. And so are dozens of other First Baptist Church members as they prepare to unveil their new Family Ministry Center Saturday.
“I think it’s great!” said Rosener as he wiped the baseboards in what will be the reception area in the center that boasts 21,000 square feet of space designed for exercise and dedicated to God. Most of the space is for the gym where basketball goals were going up Monday. A 3-lane walking track is already laid out above the gym and soon, weight-training equipment will arrive for the weight room, game tables will be carefully placed in the game room and the crowds will start to come.
The facility can be used by anyone free of charge during its hours of operation.
“This is a great opportunity for us to serve God and our community,” said Alicia Pierce, the church member who is planning Saturday’s events. “It’s an exciting time for our church.”
The dedication begins with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m. followed by a Hoop Shoot for all ages inside the new facility. An Air Evac helicopter will be there and Bonne Terre Police will conduct finger-printing for children. Free blood pressure and health screenings will also be available until 2 p.m. But the building will be open until 4 p.m. Then on Monday, the facility begins its regular operation from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. with church members signed up to work as volunteers.
“Those are our hours in the beginning, but we will be adjusting them as we see what the needs of the community are,” said Rev. Doug Elders, church pastor.
If it was a step of faith when they built the sanctuary in 1969, it may be a leap of faith that they’ve built a Family Ministry Center in 2007. Elders said it’s not just a financial leap to build the $1.7 million dollar facility.
“It’s a step of faith in what this church can do in ministry — that’s what is all about,” he said. “We hope to reach people in new and exciting ways.”
That leap first began five years ago when the congregation at First Baptist Church set up an exploratory committee to dream about ministry and a place to do it. For the last 14 months, as contractors built the Center adjacent to the church at 411 North Harding, mission teams from around the country have worked on the facility and church members have volunteered their time to help.
“I’m on maintenance and grounds and I’ve been just doing a little bit of everything to get it ready like helping to put up wall board,” said Jim Pherigo, a 20-year church member.
Rich Randall says he’s learned to do things he didn’t know he could do as he volunteered his time to help.
“I guess I’ve put in about 30 hours a week since mid-March,” said Randall, who has been a member at First Baptist for 15 years. “I just think this center is a great way to reach kids. We’ve got a lot of people in this area who can’t afford a membership in a gym and this is free.”
Down the hall, Dale Halter and Fred Elders carried in a bed frame for what will be an apartment for a missionary to use. There is a room for aerobics classes and locker rooms with showers. There’s an elevator to get from the first floor to the second.
Rick Simmons and Harold Huff surveyed the gym floor as workers prepared to install the last posts for the six basketball goals.
“I don’t know that Desloge has anything to offer to compare with this,” said Simmons. “It will be great for ministry.”
Huff said the center will be a place where parents can bring their children and know the atmosphere is right.
“They won’t have to worry and they can feel good about being here,” said Huff. “And the opportunity for older adults to come in and walk will be wonderful.”
The church’s old fellowship hall will become its new youth room. The kitchen is now a “dish room” connected to the new kitchen that will serve the new spacious fellowship hall. Norma Bailey has been giving it a workout all summer long, feeding volunteers who have worked on the building.
“This is the best kitchen anybody could want!” she said enthusiastically.
Registration is already under way for Upward Basketball and Cheerleading for children in grades kindergarten through sixth.
Upward Unlimited is a national children’s sports program designed to give kids and their families a positive sports experience by partnering with local churches to promote character, self-esteem and salvation through sports ministries.
Register by applying at the church and paying a $45 registration fee. Applications will also be distributed through area schools. Any child in kindergarten through sixth grade is eligible. Basketball practices will begin Jan. 8, 2008 and the first game will be Jan. 26.
A free Senior Adult Exercise Program sponsored by Parkland Senior Support begins at the Center Nov. 5. It will offer classes from 10-10:45 a.m. Monday and Wednesday. The center will be closed Wednesday and Saturday evenings for church activities and on Sunday.
First Baptist has about 200 people who attend on Sunday mornings. The church has a contemporary worship service at 5 p.m. on Saturdays and various Bible classes on Wednesdays and Sunday mornings. Worship is at 10:45 a.m. Sundays.
“You know, the Bible does say ‘You are God’s temple,’ so we should take care of our bodies. But, we are not doing this to provide a gym. We are doing this to introduce God to people through this church,” said Elders. “We hope this becomes something for the whole Mineral Area.”
Donna Hickman is a reporter for the Daily Journal. Contact her at 431-2010, ext. 138 or at dhickman@dailyjournalonline.com.
