God has blessed our congregation with property in Scott Depot on Teays Valley Rd. We own over 70 acres! We desire to bless our community in an intentional way with the development of the new property. For this reason, we are seeking ideas and opinions about how best to serve the community as the new property is developed. Give us your feedback. What does this Valley need most? Can we, as a church, help develop a building, a program, a facility that will help meet that need? We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Melissa Pratt
Senior Pastor
pastormelissa@comcast.net
Church plans expansion project on Teays Valley Road
Apr 28, 2008 @ 08:44 PM
By CYNTHIA SOTO
The Herald-Dispatch
TEAYS VALLEY, W.Va. -- Teays Valley Church of God has announced plans to develop a 74-acre plot of land along Teays Valley Road just east of Rocky Step Road
Now, there is a sign on what look likes a small piece of property, announcing future church construction. But don't be misled. This is just the entrance to what opens up to rolling fields and knolls that will soon become a large recreational property offered by the church for community use.
Melissa Pratt, pastor at Teays Valley, said the land was purchased by the church more than five years ago, prior to her appointment there, and at the time, equaled over 100 acres. Since then, to help finance the purchase of the property, which was paid off over a year ago, 30 acres has been resold to a residential property developer who will also be responsible for the $500,000 roadway that will roam through the property. The church paid what it owes on the property more than a year ago.
"The church has really thought about this for a long time," she said.
Three phases are anticipated before the project is finished. Phase I will encompass outdoor recreational areas, which will include sports fields and courts. Phase II will include a gymnasium and community center. Phase III will culminate with the relocation of the church.
Currently, the property has a shelter with picnic tables that seat about 100 people. Restrooms are expected to be installed within the next six weeks. A newly formed volleyball league will begin using the property May 5.
Arrangements have been made with a church family to mow the property in exchange for the family using the hay for their horses. Several area businesses have expressed interest in contributing to the project's construction and supply list.
"Of course, this development will benefit our church. We want to grow," Pratt said. "But we can't do it by ourselves. We want to create something for all of the community to enjoy.
"All of this is hopes and dreams, but we're speaking it and we'll just trust God for it," she said.
Pratt's parishioners seem to agree with her sentiments, pledging $221,000 toward construction on April 20. Pratt said she hopes that number will reach $300,000 by the close of next Sunday's service.
If you have suggestions for something the Teays Valley community needs, Pratt says, "Let's talk! We are open to using this property for maximum community impact."
Teays Valley Church of God is currently located at 4430 Teays Valley Road in Scott Depot. To find out more, call (304) 757-9222 or go to their Web site at www.tvcog.org.