A North American center for biblical leadership, revival

and spiritual awakening may soon be based in Fayette County, on

the property of New Hope Baptist Church.

"Nothing like this is in existence at this time," said

New Hope's associate pastor, Barry Thompson. The center is a joint

venture between the church and the Southern Baptist

Convention's North American Missions Board, designed to offer seminars

that equip pastors, missionaries and church starters.

"It's very much a joint venture that many churches can

participate in," Thompson said. "It will touch the entire body of

Christ, not just Southern Baptists. We're already getting support from

other Christian groups."

The center will serve to equip Christians in the United

States, Canada and Mexico. On-site production studios will allow

the seminars to be videotaped and made accessible to more

people through television and cable. North American Missions

Board advertising in magazines and on television will offer a

toll-free number for people to call if they want to talk to someone.

Calls from interested people will be routed to the phones of

volunteer telephone counselors, including ones at a phone bank at the

Fayette County center, who make themselves available during

certain times and days of the week. Other volunteer opportunities

will also be available.

Plans for the center are now in the approval process before

the Southern Baptist Convention, and details are being worked

out. "We'll know more a few months from now," said Thompson,

including if New Hope's property will indeed be selected as the

center site.

New Hope owns 60 acres of undeveloped land behind

the church at its 94-acre north campus location, off New Hope

Road, and has been interested in developing it, Thompson said. The

site is attractive to the North American Missions Board, he

added, because of its proximity to the Atlanta airport. Providing

the property for the center would be part of New Hope's

contribution to the joint venture. The center is estimated to take up little

more than 20 acres.

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