Ryan Webb said he isn’t a construction worker — he’s an “insurance guy” — but last week, he strapped on a tool belt and helped build a gazebo for Bethlehem House in Conway.
Webb is one of the members of City Church in Conway who worked with CityReach volunteers to do projects throughout the community.
He said CityReach, a national organization, contacted the church about 20 months ago and asked to partner with members to work in the community. The volunteers — from Arkansas, Texas, Virginia and California — were in Conway for a week.
“We go every year,” said Lynnea Wright of Benton, a volunteer with CityReach. “We pick a new church plant and do whatever they need — camp, car washes — you name it; we’re doing it.”
Although City Church was founded
almost two years ago, it’s still considered a fledgling church, Wright said.
Savanna Simpson, 17, of Benton said she volunteered for CityReach through her church, Sharon Missionary Baptist Church.
“It’s been a lot of fun, actually, although it started out rough,” Simpson said. The measurements for the lumber were wrong initially, she said.
Webb said CityReach paid for the lumber to build the gazebo, and City Church helped with some of the costs. Bethlehem House also kicked in money for the project, said Judi Lively, executive director of Bethlehem House. The gazebo was built in the backyard at the transitional homeless shelter on Parkway Street. The gazebo is just a few steps from the kitchen door.
“We’ve done a lot of stuff [at Bethlehem House],” Webb said, “and it’s something we saw the need for. It’ll be nice to get out of the sun, and also the rain.”
“City Church had done some projects for us, and they asked if there was something the CityReach group could do when they came, so I suggested the gazebo,” Lively said. “I think it’s great to have a little picnic area out there.”
The gazebo project will give Bethlehem House residents a “good shade spot,” Wright said. The residents also can grill underneath the gazebo when it rains and “enjoy a cool evening, if we ever have one.”
Webb said CityReach volunteers also held car washes “all over town,” worked on projects at the Boys and Girls Club of Faulkner County in Conway, where the church holds worship services, and painted City Church’s ministry center at the University of Central Arkansas.
“We’re everywhere, not just this,” Simpson said. “We come in and just spread the love of God through town … and demonstrate how people are supposed to love people.”
One shelter resident, Kymberlyn, 7, was inside creating shapes with Play-Doh.
“We love it; it’s cool,” she said of the gazebo. “I like it because it can block some rain, and it won’t fall over when it storms. We can ride our scooters under it.”
Resident Jess Fowler, 41, of Damascus, said the gazebo will be well-used, and he mentioned the children first. “It’s pretty cool. It’ll be good for the children. That way, if it’s raining, they’ll have a little area to play under,” he said. “It’s a big family here.”
Senior writer Tammy Keith can be reached at (501) 327-0370 or tkeith@arkansasonline.com.