Forgiven Ministry, Inc.
The Adams Center
Dedicated June 2, 2007

God's Vision Becomes Reality

Forgiven Ministry opened their first facility which will be their headquarters and also a center to minister to those who live in difficult situations and need guidance, prayer and unconditional love. Volunteers from area churches will operate the center on Saturdays ministering to the families of inmates that are housed in area prisons. The need is so great as we witnessed the first day The Adams Center opened as over 45 families came by for refreshments, Christian fellowship, rest and prayer. Just to know that someone understands their need is part of the ministry process. Families will fellowship with each other sharing hurts, prayers and becoming friends. Scottie relates how long the road is to a prison and how sad the journey home is for the family. Forgiven Ministry gives God all the glory for the vision, provision and volunteers that will make an eternal difference in the life of so many who live in the dark world of incarceration. The center is open for anyone who would seek to know more about Christ and his wonderful plan for their life.

The two-story building, located at 200 Macedonia Church Rd. in Taylorsville, will serve as a place where families of inmates may rest, play, and learn about forgiveness, family restoration and salvation through Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 29:11 is our heart for each family who will pass through our doors. Working to reconcile the relationship of families to Christ and each other, the center will be open for families of inmates each Saturday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, with the first Saturday of each month's programming to be geared toward 3 - 9 year olds called Kid Zone, the second Saturday geared towards children ages 10 and up called Score 38, the third Saturday geared towards the
caregiver adults called New Directions, and the fourth Saturday consisting of family events with Christian programming.

According to Forgiven Ministry President Scottie Barnes who has been involved in prison ministries since the late 90's, the 4,260-square-foot building has been a long time in the making. "Seven years ago, I was in Arkansas speaking with Prison Fellowship in a men's prison," commented Barnes. "As I drove onto the grounds I noticed a swing set and a mobile home. Being a child of an inmate all my life, the children's swing touched my heart, and I stopped to inquire. I learned that churches had been given the opportunity to have a place for the families of inmates to stop for refreshments and prayer." The vision of a similar place in Alexander County became so strong in Barnes' heart that she began striving toward the goal, Forgiven Ministry purchased six tenths of an acre of land to begin the three year project. Many have donated sacrificial gifts to make this vision possible. The balance on the loan for the new facility is $57,000.00 which Forgiven Ministry has faith will be paid off this year.

Since Alexander Correctional is a maximum security institution that houses inmates from all over the state and their families may live all over the United States, Barnes feels strongly about providing a place of rest, prayer, and Christian counseling to those who stop by the center. Seventy percent of inmates' children go to prison themselves. Barnes feels strong that through Christ we can break the cycle of crime that runs rampant across your nation. Barnes recalled a letter she recently received from an Alexander County inmate stating that God's love through Forgiven Ministry is touching the lives of those impacted by crime. The letter read, "Dear Scottie, Thank you for bringing me and my daughter together after five years. The last time I had saw her, she was one year old, so she did not know who I was, but you changed that. And I hear that she wants to come to the next camp to see her Daddy. Thank you for starting a relationship with me and my little girl." The Forgiven Ministry Center includes a multi-purpose room for games, seminars and day camps for families, upstairs classrooms, and an outdoor playground area. In addition, the facility offers a prayer room, "Mary's Room," (donated in
memory of Mary Sue Lackey) which will serve as a quiet place for individuals or families to steal away to feel God's comfort and peace. The prayer room is open to the public during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Located at the corner of Old Landfill Road and Macedonia Church Road near Alexander Correctional, the center will be accessible to every prison visitor. "I believe that this facility will be a light to the dark world of incarceration that many of these families live through."

Serving Christ until He Comes,
Scottie Barnes

We ask that you prayerfully seek God as to your part in the work that lies ahead in Alexander County.

Forgiven Ministry Center is a place for the families and especially the children of inmates to find safety, security, understanding, God's love and especially hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

View photos of first day the center was opened for families of inmates.

View more photos of The Adams Center