An Augusta-area Christian ministry that helps guide drug addicts and ex-convicts through recovery seeks 20 acres in Columbia County to continue its work.
Cliff and Ana Nobles lead 143 Ministries International, established in 2018 and named for the number of letters in each word of "I love you."
The nonprofit is an umbrella covering several smaller ministries. Katherine's Way serves women and their families grappling with drug and alcohol abuse. Immanuel House is a 90-day men's recovery program. The River, its original outreach ministry, meets at 400 Warren Rd.
The ministry's headquarters is at 2801 Ingleside Dr., near Raes Creek. The property eyed for expansion is at 5821 Rockford Dr., 20.78 acres of agriculturally zoned land off Old Louisville Road between Grovetown and Harlem.
Good neighbors?Residents divided over addiction ministry on Ingleside Drive
"The development proposal for this site consists of converting the existing home into an office, constructing a new church building and parking area, constructing several structures for a campground and constructing accessory structures in the rear of the property to serve the needs of the ministry," according to the project narrative submitted to county planners.
The 3,000- to 4,000-square-foot church sanctuary will seat between 200 and 250 people. Joined with the converted office, the total square footage aproaches 7,000.
The proposed new campus will "serve as a facility for weekly meetings and church fellowship activities," the narrative said. The campground will be used for overnight stays, and will have 24-hour caretakers on the property.
If rezoning approval is granted in August, 143 Ministries estimates construction to start by January 2025 and completed by the following July.
The Columbia County Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the request at its meeting Aug. 1.
Most Popular
Comments / 0