Support sought for new Woodie W. White Worship Center

By Matthew Oates
Hoosier UM News Correspondent

The 24-month campaign for a new home for New Hope UMC and the Woodie W. White Worship Center is underway.

A resolution to conduct the conference-wide appeal was passed on June 1, 2002 at Annual Conference. The Rev. Reginald Lee and Jeffrey Johnson of New Hope UMC in Anderson are traveling to spread the word and gather pledges of $1 million from various members and churches. The total cost for the project is $2.5 million.

The group already has $86,000 in pledges: $30,000 from DelcoRemy; $25,000 from St. John's Health System; and $10,000 from Rozelle/Johnson. Anderson First UMC is one of the first churches in the conference to pledge $21,000.

New Hope UMC is a multicultural ministry in Anderson which serves those primarily from a minority background by offering not only a place of worship, but a place of hope. Plans include a health clinic, a pre-school and daycare, a family life center and several educational and vocational opportunities.

The area where the new building will be is currently in a highly urban blight zone and has been dubbed as an enterprise zone. "This project symbolizes the city and the church's commitment to an urban blighted area," said Lee.

To also seek additional funding -- especially from state and federal organizations -- the group has organized the West Side Hope Community Development Corporation.

A ground breaking ceremony is tentatively scheduled for February 23, 2003, starting at the current New Hope Church and moving to the new site by motorcade. The building is scheduled to be completed by August 2004.

For more information on the program or to arrange for a guest speaker for your congregation, please call 866/590-4673 or e-mail newhpch@aol.com.

Last updated on 01/14/2004

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