The H15 Ministries youth story continues to blossom
Andy Schafer is a hands-on kind of guy. The director at H15 Ministries has overseen almost every aspect of the renovation process of the new youth ministry in Millersburg. After watching as the community continues to rally behind this large-scale project, he may add another entry on his resume.
“Someday I just might write a book about this experience,” Schafer said.
He then pondered what the book would be titled, thinking perhaps “God in the Details,” “The Little Ministry That Could” or maybe “Having Peace While on a Runaway Freight Train.”
For Schafer this journey of faith and commitment by many is far stranger than fiction.
“God sure does love to show his love for us in some amazing ways,” Schafer said.
Schafer loves the word “complete,” and he said the first completion for the month of November and by far the most exciting was when The Ohio Floor Company came back on Saturday, Nov. 17 and put the finishing touches on the floor including adding the logo and the final finish on the main room floor. This act alone made the entire facility pop.
“It looks so amazing,” Schafer said. “It’s really hard to imagine the way it was when we started now.”
The other “complete” is the storage room in the rear of the building. Schafer said he was able to get it finished, and they even were able to purchase some shelves so they can start using it for storage.
“There are a lot of things that we keep having to move out of the way of the work, so it is nice to finally have a permanent place to start keeping stuff where it will no longer be under foot,” Schafer said.
Schafer said they have continued to plug along on the trim work, and it is slowly getting finished. The entire front half of the main room now has the trim done and just needs the nail holes filled and some touch-up on the paint to be complete.
Late in the month they placed the access covers where the air-conditioner lines run.
“It looks great and really dressed up the back,” Schafer said. “There are a couple of detail areas to wrap up, but the hard part is done.”
Schafer said the panels were built by Peachtree Woodworking, which came in and installed them, and cabinets also were installed as phase one continues to wind down.
“They are beautiful,” Schafer said. “The one in the loft is huge and will give us tons of storage space.”
On Nov. 10 a group of volunteers from Frog Pond Ministries came out to help, and the day turned into a productive one for H15 Ministries.
“We had a blast,” Schafer said. “A couple of them worked on some trim, but the rest of us tackled pulling the gigantic air-conditioning unit out of the back of the storefront that we sublease to HC Sports. It had quit working, and we discovered that it was extremely precarious in the way it was installed and was very unsafe. We were able to get it pulled out, and nobody got hurt in spite of one pretty adrenaline-filled moment when we let it come crashing down to the ground.”
H15 Ministries continues to work on raising money to get phase two ready.
“We have now raised almost $9,000,” Schafer said. “I have been so torn because I know I should be out talking to area businesses, raising support, but I also want to be working on getting everything finished up so we can get open. There is still a long way to go.”
The interview process for volunteers to staff the facility continues to roll along. Schafer said they have done most of the interviews for the applicants who had already submitted applications, and they have been very impressed with those they interviewed.
Schafer said anyone thinking about volunteering with the ministry can submit an application online at www.h15ministries.org/apply/.
On the horizon for the ministry will be the upcoming Prom Dress Fashion Show, which will take place Jan. 15.
“We are far enough along that we are going to be able to hold it at H15 even if we aren’t quite ready to open officially yet,” Schafer said. “If you know of some young ladies who would like to be models for it, send them our way. We will start doing fittings late in December or right at the beginning of January.”
While the rush to complete phase one is drawing to an end, there is still a great deal of work to do before the vision is complete.
The actual purchase of the building is $180,000 plus closing costs; the brick repair on the entire building is around $55,000; repairing the two remaining roofs will cost $55,000; renovating the store front windows and doors will be $25,000; restoring the courtyard with new exterior landings, steps and doors from the back of the buildings is set at $40,000; replacing exterior doors and windows is $18,000; upgrading the heating and cooling in phase one and a subleased area is $25,000; and there are other expenses.
“This looks like a massive amount of money, but I want you to remember that no matter what has needed done, God has been providing,” Schafer said. “If you are able to help with some of this, great, but pray with me that God will do mighty things and then watch expectantly to see him do it. That has been by far the most exciting part of being part of this ministry.”
Email Schafer at director@h15ministries.com or call 330-231-7147. Visit the H15 website at www.h15ministries.org or find them on Facebook.