“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”
Proverbs 29:18

Vision.

Vision has been the                                 hallmark of Shalom                                Baptist Church since                                      its earliest years.

A startup church that                                      met at George                                     Washington Elementary                                  School, in Eleanor, it had the vision to launch in 2002.

About a year later, in 2003, Shalom Baptist had the vision to renovate an old, dusty barn, on Hurricane Creek Road near U.S. 35, and turn it into a charming little sanctuary. The congregation moved in, starting with a 2004 New Year's Eve service, and, with the vision of the future, has never looked back.

Five years later, despite a recession, the vision of Shalom Baptist Church is adding a new youth center/fellowship hall and classrooms as phase one of an expansion of its ministries.

"Shalom Baptist Church has seen a rapid growth in its youth department over the past two years," says member Rose Gatens. "Therefore, we are in the process of building a new youth center, which will house classrooms, junior church and fellowship hall."

The 4,800 square-foot facility will cost about $100,000, a price reduced by volunteer labor. This past week, the first bricks were laid, with completion, weather permitting, projected for this September.

"On Friday nights the youth center will be open to the youth in the community for Christian fellowship, games and fun," Gatens explains.   "Our goal is to provide a safe environment-free from drugs and alcohol. Hopefully by early fall we will have a youth rally to celebrate the opening this addition. We invite the community to come and fellowship with us."

Shalom Baptist has a pair of classrooms now, an addition to the front of the old barn. However, it has outgrown its quaint sanctuary, and is looking forward to the extra space.

Pastor Frank Lawson says that word, "vision" is the key to his church's ministry.

"Without a vision, a church will fail," says Lawson "The youth are our vision. Someone has to carry the torch on, and that’s our youth. We have to believe in them. The world doesn’t believe in them, so we believe in them."

Shalom Baptist Church meets for worship every Sunday morning at 11:00, following Sunday School at 9:45. Sunday evening worship is at 7:00 as is the Wednesday evening meeting.

If you would like to donate money for Shalom Baptist Church's new building, please telephone the church at 304-937-2213.