Sounds like they want donations for the mold cleanup: Dedication Held At PFWB Headquarters

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7/30/2007 12:42:00 PM Email this article • Print this article Above, Nina

Butts admires the Tree of Life wall decoration in the foyer of the

newly-renovated Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Resource Center in Dunn, top. The

decoration doubles as a fundraiser. Dedication Held At PFWB Headquarters

Shelah Ogletree

Reporter for The Daily Record

http://www.dunndailyrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=1 & SubSectionID=1 & ArticleID=894\

05 & TM=46285.73

The newly renovated Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Resource Center has reopened

at double its original size, and a celebratory open house and dedication was

held Sunday. It will serve as the denomination headquarters.

Dr. Herbert , the first PFWB general superintendent, said the new center,

at a cost of approximately $720,000, is a big improvement over the first

headquarters which was located in Clinton above a drugstore.

" We had no air condition, no desk, no telephone and worst of all, no elevator, "

he said. " We've come a long way, baby. "

Dr. Elvin Butts, president of Heritage Bible College, said the new building was

needed 20 years ago.

" The long wait hasn't diminished the joy of finally seeing it happen, " he said.

Former State Sen. N. was also on hand for the dedication. He said

the Resource Center's Interstate 95 location is ideal for " letting the light of

the PFWB ministry shine. " Sen. said some 85,000 vehicles travel that

stretch of interstate daily.

Dunn Mayor Dal Snipes, Dr. Ned Sauls and state Rep. also spoke at

the dedication.

" We've done a total renovation of the older facility and added space, doubling

the size to 7,700 total feet, " said the Rev. Dr. Preston Heath, current general

superintendent of PFWB said. " We've made a large conference room that can be

divided into three committee rooms with portable walls. "

Rev. Heath said additions include a superintendent's office and an office for

the administrative assistant to the secretary.

There is a new reception area and the accounting department has been enlarged at

the center. The workroom has tripled in size and each office has been upgraded

with new furniture throughout. A drive-through delivery shelter has been added,

two handicapped-accessible ramps and new landscaping. Rev. Heath said the add-on

was set on the lot so that future wings may be added.

He said for the first time the headquarters will include a historical room and a

guest services room, where visitors will have access to the Internet.

Rev. Heath is excited about a decorative Tree of Life that graces the foyer wall

at the center. The tree also serves as a fundraiser.

" For a contribution of $250 or more people can purchase a leaf in rememberance

of a loved one, " he said.

Acorns were also offered for $1,000 or more, but until yesterday had all been

taken.

When Rev. Heath was approached by numerous PFWB members who wanted to add their

loved ones' names to an acorn he said he would look into providing additional

acorns that would lie on the ground under the tree.

" If you'll bring the money, " he said, " I can make about anything happen. "

No More Mold

The black mold that prompted the center's shutdown in 2004 has been fully

removed.

" It was a fungus that you can't have employees working in, " Rev. Heath said. " We

discovered it on our own, had experts come in and verify it, and immediately

moved out. "

Rev. Heath said none of the employees were harmed by the mold situation.

" We moved into the parsonage owned by the conference, " he said. " We were

headquartered there until March when we moved into the newly renovated building.

It was limited space with two secretaries to one office. "

Rev. Heath said although it was never verified it is possible the mold came from

a flat roof.

" We put a raised hip roof on the building now with the added bonus of additional

storage space, " he said. " We're delighted to have more than adequate space now. "

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