
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 27, 1993                   TAG: 9305270258
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKER WANTS PARKS FOR REVIVALS

Roanoke officials have been asked to allow several parks to be used for tent revivals this summer, a request they say apparently does not violate the separation of church and state.

Allan Molina, a city resident who is in training to become a minister, wants to conduct four weekly, nondenominational revivals, beginning in July.

Molina has asked the city's Board of Zoning Appeals for a permit to install a tent that will accommodate 400 people.

The board will have a public hearing on the request on June 8 at 2 p.m. in the City Council Chambers in the Municipal Building.

Molina will have to pay all costs for putting up the tent and providing the other facilities and services that will be required.

Lynn Vernon, acting manager of parks and recreation, said Wednesday that religious groups have been permitted to use city parks in the past.

"They are treated just like anyone else who asks to use the parks for special events," Vernon said.

The city charges a rental fee if a group wants to use basketball and tennis courts or other facilities, Vernon said. But there is no rent for using land in parks where the tent will be erected.

Molina, 22-year-old founder of JC Ministries, will have to pay for electrical hookups, toilets, trash cans, security, insurance and cleanup.

Molina originally sought permission to use Fallon, Hurt, Preston and Washington parks, each for one week. But he has revised his request. He now wants to use Fallon and Washington parks, land in front of Breckinridge Middle School on Williamson Road and a fourth site still to be determined in the southwest part of the city.

Molina said he is in an intern program at Rainbow Forest Baptist Church in Botetourt County to become a minister. He also is taking correspondence courses.

Although he attends a Baptist church, he said his ministry and revivals will be nondenominational.

Molina said he became a Christian in 1990 after several years of using illegal drugs and alcohol and partying. He said he committed his life to Christ after someone invited him to the Rainbow Forest church.

by CNB