May 06, 2008 09:34 pm
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By Greg Grisolano
ggrisolano@joplinglobe.com
While the potential sale of his church’s building to a Joplin homeless ministry has generated plenty of debate, the church’s pastor said he believes the discussion has been positive for the community as a whole.
“It’s great for us to be made aware of the needs of the community,” said Robert Morgan, pastor of the First Baptist Church in downtown Joplin. “The problem of homelessness is something we should all be aware of.”
The church’s congregation is scheduled to vote tonight on a motion to sell its building at 633 S. Pearl Ave. for $600,000 to Dan Anderson, pastor and founder of City of Refuge. The vote, for church members only, is slated for 6:15 p.m.
While the discussion may have been positive, Morgan said he is encouraging his congregation to seek spiritual guidance
“I have asked our folks to listen to word from the Lord, and not the media,” he said, adding that he has been urging members to look at Proverbs 3:5-6. “We’ve asked our folks to be prayerful and to listen to what the Lord would have us do.”
Anderson has been looking for a new home for his ministry since the City Council voted 5-3 in March to deny City of Refuge a change in zoning that would have allowed it to try to convert its leased quarters in an old warehouse at 502 E. Seventh St. into a shelter. The building was cited in January for numerous fire, health and zoning violations. The current zoning for the warehouse does not prohibit its use as a church and for meals. But the ministry some time after it moved in began offering overnight-shelter service, and that is prohibited under the building’s industrial zoning.
According to a letter sent to church members on April 21, the projected date for City of Refuge to take possession of the building would be July 1. The church voted in May 2003 to move to property on Connecticut Avenue, near Interstate 44 on the south end of Joplin, and has been looking for a buyer for the downtown property since then.
A group of residents and downtown business owners began circulating a petition last week against the sale, citing concerns that the relocation of City of Refuge’s operation would have a negative impact on public safety and economic revitalization in the area.
The petition asks church members to consider tabling the issue until after a proposed summit to address Joplin’s growing number of homeless. The idea for a summit was proposed in March by then-Mayor Jon Tupper after the council voted to deny the rezoning request for City of Refuge. No date has been set for the summit.
One of those opposed to the move said Tuesday that he expects the sale to take place.
“It’s unfortunate that the city didn’t have a chance to finalize their grand plans for helping homeless,” said Toby Teeter, a downtown resident and president of the Main Street Joplin organization.
Jon Koucky, one of the petition organizers and a downtown resident who opposes the sale, said he believes the group gained about 130 signatures in about four days.
Morgan, the church pastor, said the petitions were given to the church on Saturday, but he did not know exactly how many signatures were recorded.
Deadline extended
The Joplin City Council voted 5-4 Monday night to extend until Aug. 1 the deadline for City of Refuge to halt using its leased quarters in an old warehouse at 502 E. Seventh St. for shelter purposes. The shelter aspect of the operation is being forced out after the council in March declined to change the zoning on the building.
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