Emergency Shelter celebrates 25 years
BAPTIST SUPPORTERS of children and families in crisis looked back on 25 years of ministry Oct. 31 as the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries (ABCHomes) celebrated its first quarter-century in Judsonia.
About 75 people gathered at the Judsonia Emergency Receiving Shelter for a 25th Anniversary open house. Some in attendance reminisced of the Home’s beginnings and long-time ministry, while others toured the home and property.
Supporters also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with current residents and houseparents.
The Shelter offers immediate sanctuary, day or night, and residential care until plans in the best interest of the child and family can be made. Residents often have suffered physical or sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment or destitution.
The 3,000-square-foot brick home can house up to eight residents, ages birth through 17. It includes four children’s bedrooms, a large living and dining area, a counseling room and resident quarters for houseparents.
Opening its doors in 1985, the Home was built and furnished by the Calvary Baptist Association, with some funding by the Little Red River and Black River Associations. ABCHomes budgets, staffs and supervises the ministry. Sean Culpepper serves as the shelter supervisor.
Over the years the shelter has ministered to at least 1,500 children and youth, according to David Perry, executive director of ABCHomes.
Perry has numerous fond memories of the many children and teens who have been residents at the Home. He won’t soon forget the time “when all the beds on both halls were filled with boys who were all brothers or cousins.” Or he won’t foget the time “a young man split his lip in a game of basketball (he is 30 years old now).
Still Perry said he won’t forget the “boy who caught his first fish in the old pond that used to be near the shelter.”
“The Judsonia Receiving Home has provided immediate care for hundreds of children and youth who have arrived anytime day or night,” shared Perry. “These children have been provided a nice place to stay with plenty of food, clothing, attention and love, especially love.”
Among those attending the open house were Dr. George Wadley and Albert and Doris Yarnell. Both Wadley and Mrs. Yarnell served on the shelter’s first steering committee. Wadley served as chairman.
“It is quite satisfying, both personally and spiritually, to know that this Home has been a success in ministering and providing needed care for so many children over the years,” shared Wadley. “It is very nice to have been a part this needed ministry.”