Renew your lease on life

A weekly spiritual fix and church community is just a hop, skip and a jump away for some Odessa residents.

Instead of traveling across town for worship, a local outreach ministry is bringing church to the people with a come-as-you-are approach to apartment ministry.

Mission Odessa, an extension of First Baptist Church ministries, has permeated the community life of several apartment complexes with Bible studies, children's programs and an autonomous church plant that has its own pastor.

And the close proximity makes pretty easy to get there.

Landmark Apartment Manager Joyce Rosas said the convenience and accessibility of the Bible study at her complex's clubhouse is a major draw for the elderly and disabled renters there.

"Most of them don't have transportation, so it helps meet spiritual needs for those that want to," she said.

Another group, which plans to restart in September, met last year at Westwinds Village, 4900 E. University Blvd., said Kaycee Green, the apartment's assistant manager.

"They meet in the clubhouse - our families and our children really loved it," she said.

Shirley Almanza, Mission Odessa associate director, said all the individual apartment ministries are considered churches - complete with volunteer teachers, Vacation Bible Schools and a summer camp.

About 700 people are served weekly through the mission's apartment sites, day schools, retirement center services, cowboy church and jail ministry, she said.

New locations kick off with a large block party canvassing the complex and inviting its residence to the weekly meetings of songs, prayer, a lesson, crafts and snacks for children and teens.

Instead of an airy "high church" feel, Almanza said apartment ministry emphasizes the importance of reaching people where they are at, regardless of what they wear.

"Most of the apartment complexes that we serve are lower income and each year we serve them with Christmas and Thanksgiving boxes to help out," she said. "There are so many people out there in such desperate need."

La Promesa renter Ayneka Tinner said she took her children to a puppet show two years ago from an invitation in a church ministry flier on her front door.

The 29-year-old woman started attending Jesus Connection Church - a Mission Odessa church plant that started with residents from La Promesa and now includes Arbor Point as well.

"When I first went there, I felt welcome - I felt at home," she said.

And the small congregation meets only a block from her front door - an avenue for spiritual growth, encouragement and outreach.
"That's where my life began, right there - that's where it started," Tinner said. "I'd been to church before, but I'd never been in a church.

"When you go in there, you don't have to dress all fancy - they just accept you for the way you are, and our pastor takes the time to listen to you - he comes right out of the Bible," she said.

 Tinner said she sings at the church, helps clean the building and tries to get her neighbors to visit, though it's a challenge.
"We've been out knocking doors and passing out fliers," she said. "I don't know what it is - people don't want to come, or they go astray."

Janie Stevens volunteers to teach children's Bible studies at Jesus Connection and had previously ministered at the Western Crest Apartments before making La Promesa her focus.

"I've taught Sunday school for years, and I was looking for something in an outreach situation where I could reach kids who normally don't go to church," she said.

A majority of the apartment children come from single-parents homes and haven't been trained in "church etiquette," but that doesn't matter, she said. 

"We have a lot of people who come to this church who would normally not fit in other churches, but for me, it's an opportunity to minister and a chance for me to tell kids about Jesus," Stevens said.

The 56-year-old woman has ministered with Mission Odessa apartment locations for about 15 years, she said, and she also attends Sunday school at Westover Baptist Church and teaches children's choir.

Almanza said volunteers like Stevens help share the message of Jesus and instill good values in places that are often overlooked.
"They just like to love on people," Almanza said. "They know that they're making a difference - making the community a better place."

WANT TO GO?
>> Mission Odessa, 315 W. Eighth St., cur­rently operates the following apartment ministry sites:
>> 10 a.m. Wednesdays: Landmark Apartments, 1101 Kelly Ave., Clubroom.
>> 6 p.m. Sundays and Thursdays: Western Crest Apartments, 2051 Coahuila Road, Apts. 59 and 61.
>> 11 a.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays: Jesus Connection Church/La Promesa Del Norte/Arbor Point, 4410 Andrews Highway.
>> Call:
337-3761.