By By Janet Little Cooper
After almost two years in the making, the congregation of First Baptist Church of Bratt dedicated their newly completed Family Life Center.
More than 175 people attended the Sunday afternoon dedication service of the new facility led by pastor Marcus Caraway.
"This is a very special day," Caraway said. "Almost two years ago the building committee brought us out on the west side of our building to show us the future sight of construction. We watched as things began to happen like a slab being poured. Then we had a couple of set backs called Hurricane Ivan and then when we were picking up again, Hurricane Dennis came. It has been a learning experience, but through it all God has been faithful."
The 8,000 square foot concrete block building houses the church office and pastors office as well as a conference room and storage area. A large kitchen anchors the end of the gymnasium, which is constructed of metal.
An upstairs loft is built above the kitchen and office area of the building for the youth department that is directed by Tim Hawsey.
"We had a lot of delays," Building committee chairman Lee Roy Wiggins said. "We had the hurricanes and then found that we were in a flood prone area, but everything finally worked itself out. I am thankful that we are finally in it and now I am looking forward to the next step, which I believe will be a new sanctuary. I look at the Family Life Center as the preliminary. My goal is to live long enough to see that. All of the experts told us to build this first and focus on the education part of the church. We had already gone to two worship services prior to the construction. Our church has doubled just since I have been a member here. We did not have 100 percent backing on this project, but everyone seems to be positive about it now and feel good about the impact it will have on the church."
The facility was partially constructed when the area was hammered by Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis last year but sustained only minimal damage according to Wiggins. He is optimistic that it will fair well in the approaching hurricane season.
Escambia County commissioner Kevin White was on hand for the dedication. He was instrumental in assisting the church throughout the building process.
"This is just wonderful," White said. "The building has turned out real well especially when you've seen it from the beginning."
The pastor acknowledged White along with numerous other guests who had a part in the construction of the facility along with the building committee.