Journey Baptist Church breaks ground on new location

By Charles Christian

A church that has been a fixture on the South Side of St. Joseph for over a century has broken ground in a new location.

Journey Baptist Church, formerly known as King Hill Baptist Church, recently broke ground on new land at the intersection of Highway A and Interstate 229 in St. Joseph, near Menards. Pastor Jacob McMillan said this move will not be the end of the church’s ministry to the South Side. Instead, he said, it will reach even more people on the South Side and beyond.

“Geographically, it reconnects us to the city,” McMillan said. “We this church originally moved to this location, the city dynamics were a lot different. A lot of our traffic flow is no longer down King Hill Avenue.”

McMillan added that this move will actually reconnect the church with more of the city while still providing strong ministry to the South Side.

In addition to easier access and more parking, pastoral staff member Calvin Haynes said accessibility and greater safety will make it easier for longtime members and newcomers alike to feel at home.

“Now that many of our longtime members are older, the many steps and the limited accessibility for wheelchairs in this current building present more of a challenge,” Haynes said. “I think the idea of the entire church being on one floor and everything being more accessible is a really attractive prospect for people.”

Another attractive prospect, according to support staff member and minister-in-training Adam Woodrum, is the five years’ worth of meticulous planning, which included strong input from all age groups in the congregation.

“Every detail going into this building is about the people,” Woodrum said. “We really wanted a place that would best foster a sense of community and fellowship.”

Leaders hope the new facility will be completed within the next 10 months, and McMillan said that fundraising has been strong. Ultimately, he said the building is another ministry tool that will provide a welcoming place where people can hear the message of Christ.

“This is a ministry tool,” McMillan said. “You don’t want to put five years of planning into this and then not use it for the glory of God to reach as many people as possible.”

For building plans and location details, visit www.ourjbc.org.