Pray for The Outreach Center and the Drexel Town Council

We write often about The Outreach Center in Morganton, N.C. This incredibly special place assists around 1500-2000 families every week with free food, clothing, and education from a five county area and beyond. It exists because of the guiding hand of the Lord and the hundreds of volunteers that make it all happen everyday. I've been volunteering at The Outreach Center for almost four years and it has deeply blessed my life. I can think of nothing else that I could do that would be more Christ like than working at TOC. While He walked this Earth, Jesus repeatedly showed incredible passion for the poor and broken. I can't help but think that He is delighted with The Outreach Center. Now, the Lord has given The Outreach Center an unbelievable opportunity to help even more people by way of a new building and new programs. But there is opposition.

The building is the old Drexel Heritage Furniture Company corporate headquarters in downtown Drexel, N.C. The furniture company moved out a few years ago and the property is now owned by someone on the west coast. The building is six times larger than the current location housing The Outreach Center and would allow for the development of many new programs to assist those less fortunate and going through difficult times. One of those new programs would be a county wide new business incubator, which would provide space for new businesses to start and grow with low overhead. This incubator would be a new source for employment for those left jobless when the furniture factories left this area for China. The building would also house Christian Outreach Church, which is the church that started The Outreach Center eight years ago. So under one roof would be the church and The Outreach Center. It would be a place unlike any other in this state, where thousands could be fed, clothed, educated, employed, counseled, and more importantly, provided the word of God and shown Christ like love and support. It would be a place of hope in an area that has some of the states highest unemployment rates which has caused many to feel helpless.

The last major hurdle for this dream to become a reality is the Town of Drexel Aldermen. The property must be rezoned from manufacturing to business. This is where the resistance is coming from. I have heard various reasons why there is opposition. One is that the town does not want to lose the tax money on the building, which it would do. The other objection is said to be that the town wanted to buy the property, that they had plans for it. Whatever the reason is, I ask that you pray that the Lord will lead them to make the right decision when it comes time to vote on the rezoning. If the Lord wants it to be, He can change their hearts and open their eyes. Your prayers can make a difference. If you would like to contact the Town of Drexel, click here to visit their website and contact info.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40