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GALVESTON?Last year, Glenview Baptist Church in Fort Worth adopted a new mission statement with the hope it would influence the entire church, from preschoolers to senior adults.
God has called “Glenview Baptist Church to make disciples who: Love God, Love Each Other, and Serve the World,” explained Zach Zettler, Glenview’s children’s minister.
That mission statement was in mind when, over the last six months, Glenview took on a project for one of her own church members and also traveled to help Gulf Coast hurricane victims.
Last fall Zettler was approached by a parent distraught because he had recently lost his job in the trucking business and was worried how he was going to be able to put his house back together.
The rental house was recently occupied and trashed by the tenants, and the homeowner was in dire straits in needing a place to live.
Upon review from Zettler and several laymen?W.L. Fuller, David Grant, David Henn, and Butch Givens?the group decided to do an “Extreme Home Makeover: Church Edition.”
Much like on the show, the church rallied around one of its own members and sought to restore his house for his family.
During this time, they moved into an apartment complex and a team of volunteers began the rebuilding of Harlan and Vickie Atchley’s home. Working with the city of Haltom City, the first priority was to tear out all of the sheetrock and start from the studs. With a limited budget, the men and women started readjusting several of the crossbeams and wall studs in order to hang sheetrock.
“This has been a great way to see the body of Christ rally around its own membership and help one of its own out and still accomplish what God has called us to do,” Grant said.
With the help of local businesses and their donations and the church, the Atchleys are close to moving into their home, Zettler said.
“It has been really neat to watch local businesses and skills from different people all work together to accomplish one goal: getting Harlan and Vickie Atchley back in their home,” Zettler added.
During the rebuilding, donations included a new roof from G.W. Roofing; a 3-ton HV/AC unit from Arnold Stowe; plumbing from Warick Plumbing; Sixty 10-foot sheets of sheetrock from Home Depot; a discount from Perma Pier Foundation Repair; and new floors from Oak Floor Supply.
Glenview also used its new mission statement to reach out on the Texas Gulf Coast to Hurricane Ike victims. In March, 130 volunteers ages 6 to 70 helped First Baptist Church, LaMarque, Central Baptist, Galveston, and area residents in relief work and construction.
“That week allowed me to see that my daughter is capable of being a missionary, just like any other adult. She did an amazing job and I am so proud of her,” said Glenview member Jennifer Dobbins.
