THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9505310220
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
LIBERTY BAPTIST Church in Suffolk is putting the finishing touches on a 11,000-square-foot educational facility that will more than double the church's space.
``We've needed more space for a long time,'' said the Rev. T.A. Powell, pastor at Liberty for 17 years.
Sunday school classes have outgrown space to the point that six adult classes - separated by dividers - meet in the sanctuary every Sunday.
``We really wanted a Family Life Center,'' Powell said, ``but our most pressing immediate need is educational space.''
Sunday school Director Dwane Sherrick is especially excited about the impact of the building on adult Sunday school.
``Adult classes will move from the `hospital ward' in the sanctuary to their own classrooms,'' he said. ``We've had an overwhelming response to this program; everyone's excited.''
In January 1994, architect Mike Barnes of Barnes Design Group of Virginia Beach drew up a master plan for the Liberty congregation. The first hurdle was a $600,000 price estimate. But member/contractor Kevin Yost of Kevin Yost Builders of Suffolk whittled the cost to $400,000. The church chose to pay 25 percent in cash and borrow the balance.
On April 30, the church collected a $50,000 building fund offering. The next step will be a dedication service July 2, at the 11 a.m. worship service. There also will be dinner on the grounds for church family and friends.
When the educational and administrative complex opens, the L-shaped wing will tie in to the existing facility with a covered walkway. Entrance through the left archway will take visitors into a vestibule housing a welcome center and reception area. The remainder of the new wing will house a large office complex, 14 Sunday school classrooms and restrooms. The entire facility will be handicap-accessible.
Despite excitement over completing Phase One, Liberty members will probably pack their new facility on the first Sunday of occupancy.
``Everything's exploding,'' Powell noted - 10 to 20 visitors weekly, an average of 360 in worship, a mushrooming teen program and a large increase in the number of young couples with children.
Music Director Jimmy Latham calls it ``head-over-heels'' growth. ``The power of God is working here,'' Latham said. ``It's a blessing to see the way this church is growing.''
Liberty leadership has been impacted by the philosophy of ministry at First Baptist Jacksonville, Fla., with its 9,000-member Sunday school. Ken Hemphill, former pastor of First Baptist Norfolk and author of ``The Bonsai Theory of Church Growth'' has influenced the Liberty strategy as well. Their theory is that church growth stops when a facility reaches 80 percent capacity. So Liberty planners are looking long-term to a new sanctuary and Family Life Center on its wooded, 12-acre tract, strategically located on Godwin Boulevard next to the U.S. 58 bypass.
``Our vision is still to impact our city for Christ,'' Powell said.
The next step in the Liberty growth strategy is to reduce indebtedness. ``We want to become debt-free as soon as possible so that we can channel a greater portion of our income towards mission work and our expanding ministry,'' Powell said. MEMO: Liberty Baptist Church is at 2601 Godwin Blvd. For information about the
church's ministry, call 539-3511.
ILLUSTRATION: The Rev. T.A. Powell is looking foward to the addition of an
educational facility being built for Liberty Baptist Church.
by CNB