VALDOSTA — Despite the struggling economy, area churches are stepping out on faith and continuing their building programs.

The Valdosta Church of the Nazarene, led by Pastor Brian Sayre, is building a new facility at 4334 N. Forrest St. Ext. which they plan to be worshipping in by February. Members are currently “enjoying ministry” in a leased downtown storefront at 124 N. Patterson St. since selling their previous building on Lee Street.

The new 19,600-square-foot building will house a multi-purpose worship center with educational space surrounding it. Plans are also to launch a brand-new daycare upon moving into the new facility.

“We would love to have people drive by to see the building going up right now as one can see the red metal being erected these couple of weeks along Forrest Street Extension just south of Knights Academy,” Sayre said. “We encourage everyone to pray for us as well when you see it, as it represents our plans and goals for a great future.

“We have a vision for effective, relevant, and growing ministry happening there from day one. Our mission is quite simply to be anchored in the Word and connecting with our world. We invite our community to join us to see just how we go about doing that.”

Bible studies begin at 9:45 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m. each Sunday downtown.

“We have a unique flavor of ministry that is always energetic and sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit,” Sayre said.



Beulah Temple

Beulah Temple Ministries, 1813 Northside Drive, hosted a mortgage-burning service July 10. In addition to the mortgage burning, design and engineering are under way on the new edifice for Beulah Temple Ministries. A new sanctuary, classrooms, and administrative area are planned.

“This will accommodate the growth of the ministry and include Bread of Life Bible Institute, an educational arm of the congregation,” said Pastor Pat Miller.

“We want to build God a house in which we minister to His people in a more relative and effective way. Since we’re here, we want to enhance and strengthen our neighborhood and our wonderful city. We’re not being passive and sitting back and asking God to bless us. We want to be active in the process. We want God to bless through us, making us and our church family an instrument of hope and deliverance.”

The new facility will be built on the present site at the midway point on Northside Drive, between Forrest and Jaycee Shack Road.



Mount Calvary MBC

A groundbreaking ceremony was held May 2 for Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 3798 White Water Road.

“This was a time of dedication and prayer asking God’s blessing on the progress of construction and on the lives that will be changed within the walls of the new building and the community,” spokesman Owen Clemons said.

The construction of a new church, which will include administrative offices, classrooms, sanctuary, fellowship hall, baptistery, hospitality suite, and conference room to mention a few of the features/amenities, has begun.

Cauthan Construction Company of Valdosta is the contractor for this new project. “Walking In Our Destiny: From a Dream to a Reality” is the theme for this 12,500 square feet of new construction, which is scheduled to be completed in seven to eight months.

Mount Calvary, led by Dr. Charles Vinson Sr., pastor, celebrated the 145th anniversary of the church this year.



Crossoads Baptist

Crossoads Baptist Church held a groundbreaking ceremony June 27 for its new youth and college building, “The Connection,” according to Senior Pastor Ken Alford.



New Jerusalem MBC

New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 3448 Engberg, is planning an 8,000-square-foot addition next to its current site off Forrest Street near Inner Perimeter Road. Pastor George Blunt said the addition will include a new sanctuary to seat 290, four more classrooms and three offices.

“Hopefully, we start (construction) in the last of September or early October,” he said Thursday.

About 202 people regularly attend New Jerusalem, which  just celebrated its 136th anniversary.

Passers-by may have noticed Morningside Baptist Church’s new parking lot, which added 171 spaces to its site on Connell Road. Members began contributing toward the $400,000 project called Partners in Progress in February and will continue until Feb. 15, 2011.

Periodic updates will be given in the newspaper on churches which have launched building programs. Contact Elizabeth Butler at 375-5777 to let her know about them.