By Loretta Fulton

The timing couldn’t have been better. 

Sunday, Dec. 3, was the first Sunday in Advent, the period leading to Christmas with its theme of “hope.” On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Abilene community came together to celebrate the grand opening of the Hope Center, a project of First Baptist Church to expand its outreach ministries as a means of bringing hope to more Abilenians in need.

First Baptist bought a neighboring property, with several buildings, from First Christian Church in 2019. That sale benefited both congregations, said Phil Christopher, one of the speakers for the Dec. 5 ceremony and pastor of First Baptist at the time of the sale. Because First Christian agreed to sell its property, First Baptist was able to expand its ministries to assist more people. First Christian was able to relocate to Antilley Road and serve the people of that area.

 

Brandon Hudson, left, and Phil Christopher cut the ribbon at the grand opening center of the Hope Center on Dec. 5. Hudson is current pastor of First Baptist Church, which sponsors the Hope Center, and Christopher is the former pastor of 26 years. Photo by Loretta Fulton

“It truly represented a new beginning and symbol of hope for both of our congregations,” Christopher said at the grand opening ceremony.

The Hope Center isn’t actually open yet, despite the ribbon cutting by members of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce Redcoats. The renovation is near completion, and when it’s done, three of First Baptist’s ministries will either move into the new space or expand existing services: God’s Little Ones (GLO) child care center, Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, and City Light Community Ministries, which offers a range of services such as financial assistance, meals, showers, and a Culinary Academy. 

From the beginning, Christopher said, the Hope Center has been about partnerships with the community, other downtown churches, and the neighbors that the center will serve. Christopher quoted Old Testament prophet Jeremiah to illustrate how everyone will benefit.

“Seek the welfare of the city, and you will find welfare for yourselves.”

Becky Tucker, pastor for Children & Women’s Ministry at First Baptist Church, samples the refreshments following a grand opening ceremony Dec. 5 at the church’s Hope Center. Photo by Loretta Fulton

GLO is the oldest of the church’s ministries that will move into the Hope Center. It opened in 1968 with seven children and will be able to serve close to 200 children in its new home. The Ministry of Counseling opened in 1977 in a building on North First Street. Counseling is still offered in that building, and more offices are located in the renovated building that also houses Breakfast on Beech Street (BOBS). City Light Community Ministries opened in 1978. 

Christopher cited some of the significant people in the life of those ministries. Darlene Donald led GLO from September 1992 until December 2015, and Mike Stedham was director of the Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment for 30 years. David Leyerle was named pastor of the church’s Family Life Center in 1978 and then moved to the position of pastor for City Light Community Ministries around 1998.

City Light started that year from ministry that was happening in the Family Life Center, said John Moore, pastor for missions at First Baptist Church. A year or so later, City Light moved into a refurbished bank building near the church. Stephanie Stewart now serves as director of City Light. Steve Queen is director of the Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, and Allie Workman is director of GLO. 

The day care center at the new Hope Center will featured indoor and outdoor playgrounds, as well as plenty of toys to keep the children happy. Photos by Loretta Fulton

All of the ministries fill needs in the city, said Becky Rentz, a member of the Hope Center Building Committee and former GLO board chair. For decades, the church used its children’s Sunday School rooms to double as the GLO child care center. Because of demand and an increased need for better security, that arrangement was no longer suitable, Rentz said. 

City Light Community Ministries, too, needed more space for meals, a bigger kitchen and dining area, plus more storage space. Guests or “neighbors” served at City Light often have to stand in the cold or heat waiting to be admitted for a meal or other services. The goal of City Light is to treat guests with dignity and as a child of God, Rentz said.

“They deserve to be treated with respect and given encouragement and hope,” she said.

First Baptist Church will be gaining much-needed space when GLO and City Light Community Ministries relocate to the Hope Center. Larry Smith, chair of the building committee, said the church is studying possible uses for the current City Light building and the top floor of the building that houses BOBS.

“At this time no decision has been made,” he said.

The current GLO space will be renovated for use as a new nursery/preschool area for the church. 

Mike Greenfield, Pastor for Administration & Spiritual Development at First Baptist Church, opens the door to the freezer at the Hope Center. Photo by Loretta Fulton

Following the official opening remarks and ribbon-cutting, guests were invited to tour the Hope Center, with its large and welcoming dining room, two spacious and well-equipped kitchens for meals and for the Culinary Academy, and the new GLO center, which features indoor and outdoor playgrounds, dining area, and classrooms–all with wee furnishings, of course.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, Brandon Hudson, current pastor of First Baptist Church, said a few words and ended with a prayer. He recalled that early in the interviewing process before he was hired, he was a guest in the home of Phil and Mary Christopher. Phil retired in 2021 after serving as pastor of First Baptist Church for 26 years. 

In the meeting, the Christophers talked about the Hope Center and how it was indicative of the spirit of First Baptist Church. In his closing prayer, Hudson noted the celebration and the commitment by many to make the Hope Center a beacon of hope for the citizens of Abilene.

“Today, we celebrate the opening of this facility,” Hudson said, “and we commit to a continued effort to see the city of Abilene blessed, cared for, and nourished as we all work together for the good beyond ourselves.”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene