Willis church celebrates July 4, new Family Life Center

A Willis church will have a double celebration on July 4 as it also hosts the official opening of a 15,000-square-foot Family Life Center.

The Light Community Fellowship of Willis will open the Family Life Center at 13145 I-45 North. The new facility boasts a gymnasium, a lobby, restrooms, four classrooms and a full commercial kitchen, church administrator Ava Bates said. The opening will coincide with the groups July 4 Family Celebration starting at 6 p.m. that day.

Were going to be utilizing all that extra space for a variety of different events and services, Ava Bates said.

The church will use the new center for outreach programs, Sunday school classes and womens and mens ministries, among others, she said.

Construction of the Family Life Center began in early 2012. Part of the reason for building the new facility has been the need for more space.

We didnt have any more room in the current youth auditorium, Ava Bates said. We want to be able to have youth nights and coed volleyball games. We want to offer more opportunities for the community to come together.

The church also is seeking to apply with the American Red Cross to become a certified emergency shelter, she said.

Along with the opening of the new center, the Light Community Fellowship will also be hosting its Fourth of July celebration. The event will feature all-American fare and fun such as apple pie, hot dogs and games, Senior Pastor Ron Bates said.

We call the celebration Dependence Day, Ron Bates said. Even though were independent, were all still dependent on God.

In all, the facility cost more than $733,000 to build, and the church was able to cover costs without going into debt, obtaining funds entirely through donations from members, Ava Bates said. Construction was completed with the help of specialists, but much of the work was completed without an outside contractor.

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Willis church celebrates July 4, new Family Life Center