Outreach-minded couple prepare for new youth community programs
WARR ACRES — Volunteers have been preparing a building near Victory Church to become the center of community activities.
Jed Chappell and his wife, Julie, hope to officially launch the new City Center community center at 5731 NW 41 in February.
Jed Chappell once served as longtime outreach director at Victory Church, 4300 N MacArthur, before leaving the metro area in 2015 to become an associate pastor at a church in Lakeville, Minnesota.
He said he and his wife learned much about themselves in Minnesota, primarily that their ministry passion is in outreach and helping people in both tangible and spiritual ways.
The couple said they also knew from social media and news outlets that poverty and homelessness continued to plague many individuals and families in the metro area.
They returned to the area with an idea for a community center where many outreach activities for youths could be launched.
Jed Chappell said Victory Church leaders were excited about the idea and offered the use of one of the church’s nearby buildings for the outreach program.
Over the past weeks, the Chappells and many volunteers have been working to prepare the 25,000-square-foot building for its new role as City Center.
“This has been inside us for eight years — resolving food insecurity
for kids, supplemental education like tutors and mentoring,” Jed Chappell said. “Most importantly, we want to build relationships because we are convinced that relationships are key to lasting restoration.”
He said while Victory Church has helped start the new program, City Center is a separate nonprofit entity.
Plans falling into place
Jed Chappell said an open house for community leaders is set for Feb. 6, and he and his wife and other team leaders hope to share more about City Center with those who visit during that event. Currently, the Chappells plan to officially launch City Center activities on Feb. 27.
Jed Chappell said the center’s mission is to provide residents with tangible relief from problems like hunger and lack of educational aid. He said along those lines, an after-school program will be offered at the center to provide children with a meal and help with homework.
He said another goal is to send the youths home with food for another meal for the evening.
Julie Chappell said they hope to eventually come to the aid of the homeless by providing a mobile shower truck and free clothing like socks, underwear and T-shirts.
Her husband said several organizations in the community already have expressed interest in partnering with City Center. He said a local school district has asked to use the center to hold English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.
Also a local man plans to offer at the center a program mixing strength and agility training with mentoring.
Jed Chappell said these are just some of the programs and activities that will be offered at the center, with more to come as plans continue to evolve and take shape.
He said he wants to see the center live up to its name as a hub or focal point for community residents, particularly those in need.
“City Center exists to bring relief and restoration to people living in the 405,” he said.
“Jesus didn’t run from the dark places, He ran to them. That’s our heart.”