By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
Some $700,000 has been raised already so construction can begin on a new service ministry being launched to reach people in need across Canadian County.
Several hundred people attended a ground-breaking ceremony Sunday, Jan. 10 for the “Together We Center” on Trinity Baptist Church-Yukon’s 30-acre campus, 620 N Cemetery Road.
This new ministry will be a village-like facility developed in phases on the west side of the church property off Cemetery Road.
The Together We Center will provide a “one-stop shop” that ministers “to all the folks in Canadian County in need,” Associate Pastor Scott Kinney said.
“This is a dream that we’ve had to continue to minister to our communities and to our county.”
With ground-breaking last Sunday and construction to start soon, projected opening date is Aug. 15. Trinity’s community outreach pastor, Brian Grider, is executive director of the Together We Center.
This new ministry will complement – not compete with – other local ministries and service programs, Grider explained.
Private donations and grants are helping fund the construction project and supporters are well on their way to reaching a $1,050,000 fund-raising goal.
The Together We Center will be a separate entity from Trinity Baptist Church, which has seen a 36% growth in 2020.
“Our vision is to provide a countywide ministry that will have a 2,000 square foot medical clinic, 2,000 square foot food pantry and 1,000 square foot clothing closet,” Kinney said.
THAT AND MUCH MORE
The facility will house the Faith Clinic, Canadian County’s only free health clinic for people without insurance. This clinic has operated weekly for more than five years inside the church.
“We see around 650-700 patient visits a year,” Kinney said. “We’re going to add to that and we’re going to build a building.”
That building also will house a new food pantry and clothing boutique. Organizers hope to eventually offer free or discounted vehicle repairs and counseling services.
The Together We ministry could eventually include a barber shop, dental clinic, community center, and more as needs arise.
“We just have a big vision to minister to people in need – not just Yukon and not just Mustang, but our whole county,” Kinney said.
Kinney cited Trinity church’s convenient eastern Canadian County location between Yukon and Mustang, close to Interstate 40 and the John Kilpatrick Turnpike.
Guests at the ground-breaking ceremony included District 60 State Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon; District 47 State Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang; and Canadian County District 3 Commissioner Jack Stewart.
