Go for it Roger. My prayers are with you.
Roger Gardner is praying for a miracle.
For two years, New Hope Worship Center has been caring for the homeless and drug-addicted in the Harrisburg area through its Bridge Ministry, holding religious services underneath Calhoun Expressway.
But the Rev. Gardner's prayer is that the worship center will purchase the Martha Lester School, one of seven surplus properties the Richmond County school board has up for sale.
The Rev. Gardner, the church's outreach minister, envisions a facility that will better address the needs of those who participate in the Bridge Ministry, most of whom live in Harrisburg.
The price for the property, though, is out of reach, and it will take the work of God for the church to acquire it, he said.
"We just want a place where we can really, really make a difference in a person's life other than every other Saturday," the Rev. Gardner said.
The ministry feeds about 250 people a hot meal every two weeks, providing them with praise and worship, along with a bag of toiletries and other items.
"We have a vision to take the city for Christ," the Rev. Gardner said. "We want to conquer the city."
With less than two weeks left to submit a bid, the school board is probably praying, too.
As of late Thursday, no one has submitted a bid or signed up to place one, according to board attorney Pete Fletcher's office. Bidding closes at 3 p.m. Jan. 28, and anyone interested in bidding must register by 11 a.m. Jan. 27.
Mr. Fletcher's office has been receiving several calls a week, and about 35 people have toured the surplus properties during two open houses.
The school board is selling the properties in hopes of patching a $1.5 million hole in the current year's budget. If the board receives the appraised value of each property, which has been set as the minimum bid, it will collect more than $2 million.
This is the first time the board has opened up the sale of real estate in a competitive online bidding process.
Reach Greg Gelpi at (706) 828-3851 or greg.gelpi@augustachronicle.com.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE A BID
Information on each piece of property the school board has up for auction and directions on how to bid can be found online at www.rcboe.org.
Comments
Go for it Roger. My prayers are with you.
I bet none of these properties will sell. All of the minimum bids are too high!! Don't they get someone to tell them what these properties are worth.
I have seen this group meeting under the bridge from time to time. Roger, just know that if I had the means...I would buy the building and donate it your ministry. Someone out there has a similar thought as I do...but also has the means to do so. I would encourage that person or persons to consider such a gift. Our God owns a 1000 cattle on the hill...what is a small piece of real estate to Him? Trusting alongside of you Roger! Hope to read that the building was donated to you in the coming weeks. Blessings and peace.
In fact...maybe I do the "means" Roger. What if we issued a call to every professing Christian in the CSRA and asked them to donate $5. "Sacrifice ONE Starbucks Coffee to Reach the Poor and Under-served of Augusta." I would give my portion. Even in economic hardship...most every person could give $5. If everyone came together (much like we anticipate Heaven to be like) we could see the Lord truly make a name for Himself in this community.
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