The Father's House Church, located on Waldron Road in La Vergne, is embarking on community-wide projects to raise funds for land and to pay for a new building that will be delivered in just few short months.
Dr. Bobby Howard, pastor at The Father's House, said the church is in the process of acquiring nearly 11-acres of land at 766 Waldron Road in La Vergne. They will have to make payments on the property, as soon as the sale is finalized. They've also been fortunate enough to purchase a 100-foot-by-50-foot building which needs to be constructed on the land.
Dr. Howard said the church is planning a series of events such as bake sales and a fish fry, to help raise the funds to pay for the remainder of the building cost. They have also set up a GoFundMe account.
The bake sales will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept 19 (the day of Old Timers' Day) at 5116 Murfreesboro Road. The fish fry is slated to take place Sept. 26, from 10:30 to 2 p.m. at the office of builder Jerry Butler Builders,5068 Mufreesboro Road in La Vergne . That is located across from the La Vergne Library.
Cost for the fish fry is $10. Those 10 and under are free. There will also be a silent auction, as well as live entertainment. The meal will be complete with fish, white beans, hush puppies, and slaw. Included will also be a drink and dessert.
"There are many places I could go, but I feel the need to be in La Vergne," Dr. Howard said.
The building was originally purchased by Vanderbilt University, which then decided it was too small for their needs. The church was able to purchase the building for a $7,800 down payment (which was received during one Sunday service). Another $26,960 needs to be raised in three months, before the building can be delivered at the end of November.
The GoFundMe account will help raise funds for the purchase of the land as well as the remainder owed on the actual structure, which is a metal building. The church is trying to raise $100,000 to purchase the and. For more information, or to make a donation, go to gofundme.com/2h3t5veg.
Dr. Howard believes the community can come together and support the church, which has been a fixture in La Verne for nearly 20 years. The sanctuary was originally built by The Father's House in 2003 on Waldron Road at the site of the Life of Victory Church, which burned down a few months ago. They were in that building for 11 years.
After leaving that space, they moved to a local school and held services for three years, but they couldn't store much of their items at the school. Then, they moved to a strip center across the street at 568 Waldron Road, where they've held services for the past four-and-a-half years.
Dr. Howard said he will need to talk with local builders about constructing the building's shell. He will also seek specialists in electrical, plumbing and more.
In addition to all of that, Dr. Howard said he would like to construct a "prayer garden," complete with pergola and inscribed bricks at the base of the structure.
"This could be for a family, or for those in memoriam of someone," he said. "This will just be a quiet place for people to stop by and reflect."
He also wants people to write prayers on papers that will be covered by rocks and eventually the concrete floor. Then, he will encourage the community members to write their favorite Bible verses on the concrete, which will then be covered by carpet.
"They'll literally be standing on and with the word of God," Dr. Howard said.
He said he wants the church to once again become more involved in the community and not only have services, but be available for Vacation Bible School, Boy Scouts and more.
In years past, The Father's House has been the home to a local food bank, counseling center and Bible College. Since moving into the strip mall, most of these services have had to close down or be shuttered for the time being.
"This is our opportunity to be a part of the community once again," Dr. Howard said. "It's also our chance to not only take care of ourselves as a church, but also take care of others who are needing help or hurting. I like fixing things that are broken, and this church is a way for us to help fix the broken individuals in the area. I've only bought one lawnmower in my life because I like taking those that don't work and making them work again. Making them complete. To me, this church can be like that for the residents."
Dr. Howard's wife Bernice is a trained counselor with the National Association of Christian Counselors and Dr. Howard is with the American Association of Christian Counselors. She can also restart her counseling activities once the church is built.
For more information, to volunteer, place a bid or offer to construct the building, or hosting a fundraiser, contact Dr. Howard at (615) 833-8638 or (615) 390-9505, or email him at Bobby.Howard2012@comcast.net. For more information about the church, visit www.fathershousechurch.org.
