Church members say new lot will relieve parking problems
Members of West Acres Baptist Church in Evans say their prayers have been answered. They will now have plenty of parking space.
West Acres Baptist Church is developing the lot across the street from its Gibbs Road location in Evans. Pastor Larry Harmon says the church has had trouble finding enough parking space for all its parishioners. He said many people have to park their vehicles on streets in nearby neighborhoods.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We've had a lot of difficulty with issues of parking," pastor Larry Harmon said. "We had people parking on Gibbs and Hereford Farm roads and in neighborhoods near the church.''
Parking was so bad, Harmon said, there were times when people would drive their cars around in circles, looking for a place to park, and eventually leaving after an unsuccessful attempt.
But after five years of praying and fasting, the church's members say their prayers have been answered.
Just a few months ago, Harmon said, the church purchased 13 acres of land across the street, where half of the land will be used for parking and the other portion will be used for future development, as the church sees fit.
"The Lord provided for us," he said, adding that those at the church have been negotiating a deal with the landowners.
"We challenged our church folks here to pray and seek God on what (amount of money) to give for the land," he said.
In several months, Harmon said, they were able to purchase the land, which cost a little more than $500,000.
Now that construction is already taking place at the site, Harmon said, parking problems should be alleviated and the project should be complete in September, provided there are no delays with the weather.
"Once we have more parking spaces, the church will grow even more," Harmon said, adding that he currently has 1,800 members.