The Story of Hope Center
There’s an old familiar story about Jesus, four friends, and a paralyzed man. In a small town called Capernaum, Jesus begins to teach a house full of visitors. Four more people arrive carrying their paralyzed friend on a mat. They know the stories of Jesus healing the sick. Why couldn’t Jesus do it for their friend? Upon arriving at the house, they quickly encounter a problem: the crowd is too large, and they are unable to make their way to Jesus. In a desperate situation, they need a creative solution. They do something never done before – they dig a hole through the roof, lower their friend, and land him right at the feet of Jesus.
You may be thinking, “I appreciate the heart-warming story, but why the recap?” There’s a breakthrough taking place in Americus, GA; a “hole in the roof” moment, you might say. A piercing light can now be found in the center of downtown Americus. Something that has never been done before. It’s in the works; the job is not yet done. But it’s coming, and when it does, hope is accessible in a way yet unseen. This is the story of Hope Center.
As many miracles do, the story of Hope Center begins with a vision of multiple ministries in Americus, serving seven counties (Sumter, Schley, Stewart, Marion, Macon, Webster, and Taylor), operating under one roof. The ministries under the banner of Hope Center are Hands of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, Sumter Faith Clinic, and the Americus Biblical Counseling Center. This vision, prayerfully considered since 2013, needs a building in the Americus area. One door after another closes. Then, in January 2020, the world shut down in a way this generation had not seen before. With the spread of COVID-19, the dream pauses temporarily.
In April of 2024, Bryan Myers, Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church of Americus, alongside Steven Wright, visits Amanda Anderson and the Hands of Hope team at their center on Thomas Drive. After a tour of the building, Bryan and Amanda begin to speak candidly about the future of Hands of Hope. This team dreams, asking questions, such as, “If resources and space were not an issue, in what ways would Hands of Hope like to further minister to our communities?” As they collaborate further, unity strengthens in vision and cause.
What was missing in previous years, which can now be seen as divine pauses, not delayed failures, was a shared calling. This dream, first birthed 11 years ago, now turns into a mission. Since that first meeting at Hands of Hope in April 2024, Bryan Myers, Amanda Anderson, Anna Stinchcum (with Sumter Faith Clinic), and others are developing this mission further. The mission of Hope Center is unapologetically gospel-centered, compassionate, service-oriented, and collaborative. Each of the ministries housed under Hope Center seeks to strengthen the community with the hope of the gospel, to serve people in need with compassion and confidence, and to be a bridge to the local church.
With alignment in trust and vision, the next need arose: a building for these ministries to share and the resources to make it possible. If you haven’t caught on to this yet, the story of Hope Center is God’s provision through people. God has provided both skilled individuals and miraculous connections through unity and generosity. The provision of the building and the resources to move this project forward are further evidence of this truth.
Before Bryan goes to meet with Amanda in April of 2024, the search for a building to house these ministries occurs. After that meeting and following Amanda's agreement to become the Executive Director of Hope Center in August of 2024, an empty building in downtown Americus is available to view. From the first moment the Hope Center team walks in, they agree: this is the one. With enough space to house three ministries, a learning center, and offices for staff, the team gets the keys for the building in November of 2024. The building’s address is 413 W. Forsyth Street.
There are a lot of details through those months we’re moving past, but here’s where things become “too good to be true.” The building Hope Center is an empty shell. The potential is present-but how does a ministry, which has yet to exist functionally past a handful of dreamers, use this space to meet the needs of three ministries? The answer: faithful men and women standing in the gap. In October 2024, Central Baptist Church of Americus, Hands of Hope, and Sumter Faith Clinic donate close to half a million dollars to renovate the Hope Center building. These three organizations represent countless donors, generous families, and businesses. As miraculous as this is, the roof is just beginning to cave in.
Renovations on the building begin in January of 2025. Anyone who has undertaken a construction project of this magnitude can understand the logistical nightmare this can become. But God, who provided the people, the space, and the means, would make His providence evident over the smallest of engineering components. At the core of this building project are leaders such as Ben Watson, with Copper Creek Elevations, Bob High, project manager, and Frank Whitaker, Bob’s right-hand man and logistical extraordinaire.
Bob High, who has worked on the ground floor since the beginning of this project, has witnessed extraordinary miracles in the past few months. Bob, who hand-drew the plans for the building, showed them to an architect who donated his services, saving Hope Center $8,000-$10,000. As Bob moves forward with the plans, quotes for framing come in. With most quotes returning higher than anticipated, Bob’s nephew jumps in on the project to frame the building at minimal cost. Since then, nearly 30 volunteers have moved the project forward. The right people, at the right time, with the right skills, continue to show up. For this building project, as of the writing of this article, volunteers and generous donors have saved an estimated $30,000.
So, the paralyzed man, at the beginning of this story, is now lying in front of Jesus. Helplessly, he looks up, and Jesus looks at Him. Jesus says two things: your sins are forgiven, and pick up your mat and walk. Maybe for the first time in this man’s life, he walks out of that crowded room healed and whole. This man gained more than just the ability to walk; he had hope. If someone were to ask you, “Why Hope Center?” The reply is simple: hope is why. And Hope is coming.
You may be thinking, “I appreciate the heart-warming story, but why the recap?” There’s a breakthrough taking place in Americus, GA; a “hole in the roof” moment, you might say. A piercing light can now be found in the center of downtown Americus. Something that has never been done before. It’s in the works; the job is not yet done. But it’s coming, and when it does, hope is accessible in a way yet unseen. This is the story of Hope Center.
As many miracles do, the story of Hope Center begins with a vision of multiple ministries in Americus, serving seven counties (Sumter, Schley, Stewart, Marion, Macon, Webster, and Taylor), operating under one roof. The ministries under the banner of Hope Center are Hands of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, Sumter Faith Clinic, and the Americus Biblical Counseling Center. This vision, prayerfully considered since 2013, needs a building in the Americus area. One door after another closes. Then, in January 2020, the world shut down in a way this generation had not seen before. With the spread of COVID-19, the dream pauses temporarily.
In April of 2024, Bryan Myers, Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church of Americus, alongside Steven Wright, visits Amanda Anderson and the Hands of Hope team at their center on Thomas Drive. After a tour of the building, Bryan and Amanda begin to speak candidly about the future of Hands of Hope. This team dreams, asking questions, such as, “If resources and space were not an issue, in what ways would Hands of Hope like to further minister to our communities?” As they collaborate further, unity strengthens in vision and cause.
What was missing in previous years, which can now be seen as divine pauses, not delayed failures, was a shared calling. This dream, first birthed 11 years ago, now turns into a mission. Since that first meeting at Hands of Hope in April 2024, Bryan Myers, Amanda Anderson, Anna Stinchcum (with Sumter Faith Clinic), and others are developing this mission further. The mission of Hope Center is unapologetically gospel-centered, compassionate, service-oriented, and collaborative. Each of the ministries housed under Hope Center seeks to strengthen the community with the hope of the gospel, to serve people in need with compassion and confidence, and to be a bridge to the local church.
With alignment in trust and vision, the next need arose: a building for these ministries to share and the resources to make it possible. If you haven’t caught on to this yet, the story of Hope Center is God’s provision through people. God has provided both skilled individuals and miraculous connections through unity and generosity. The provision of the building and the resources to move this project forward are further evidence of this truth.
Before Bryan goes to meet with Amanda in April of 2024, the search for a building to house these ministries occurs. After that meeting and following Amanda's agreement to become the Executive Director of Hope Center in August of 2024, an empty building in downtown Americus is available to view. From the first moment the Hope Center team walks in, they agree: this is the one. With enough space to house three ministries, a learning center, and offices for staff, the team gets the keys for the building in November of 2024. The building’s address is 413 W. Forsyth Street.
There are a lot of details through those months we’re moving past, but here’s where things become “too good to be true.” The building Hope Center is an empty shell. The potential is present-but how does a ministry, which has yet to exist functionally past a handful of dreamers, use this space to meet the needs of three ministries? The answer: faithful men and women standing in the gap. In October 2024, Central Baptist Church of Americus, Hands of Hope, and Sumter Faith Clinic donate close to half a million dollars to renovate the Hope Center building. These three organizations represent countless donors, generous families, and businesses. As miraculous as this is, the roof is just beginning to cave in.
Renovations on the building begin in January of 2025. Anyone who has undertaken a construction project of this magnitude can understand the logistical nightmare this can become. But God, who provided the people, the space, and the means, would make His providence evident over the smallest of engineering components. At the core of this building project are leaders such as Ben Watson, with Copper Creek Elevations, Bob High, project manager, and Frank Whitaker, Bob’s right-hand man and logistical extraordinaire.
Bob High, who has worked on the ground floor since the beginning of this project, has witnessed extraordinary miracles in the past few months. Bob, who hand-drew the plans for the building, showed them to an architect who donated his services, saving Hope Center $8,000-$10,000. As Bob moves forward with the plans, quotes for framing come in. With most quotes returning higher than anticipated, Bob’s nephew jumps in on the project to frame the building at minimal cost. Since then, nearly 30 volunteers have moved the project forward. The right people, at the right time, with the right skills, continue to show up. For this building project, as of the writing of this article, volunteers and generous donors have saved an estimated $30,000.
So, the paralyzed man, at the beginning of this story, is now lying in front of Jesus. Helplessly, he looks up, and Jesus looks at Him. Jesus says two things: your sins are forgiven, and pick up your mat and walk. Maybe for the first time in this man’s life, he walks out of that crowded room healed and whole. This man gained more than just the ability to walk; he had hope. If someone were to ask you, “Why Hope Center?” The reply is simple: hope is why. And Hope is coming.
Learn more about Sumter Faith Clinic & Americus Biblical Counseling Center
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Hope Center would not be possible without generous people like you. Please consider helping us cross the finish line! Click the link below to learn more about ways to donate.