Phase II: Family Life and
Education Center
In 2003, under the leadership of
Rev. Dr. E. Thurman Walker, Antioch began a $7.5 million multi-year
capital campaign to complete a Family Life, Education, and Community
Center Complex. The first phase of this project was the Antioch
Sports Complex. This 21,212 square foot modern multipurpose athletic
center was completed under the oversight of the Antioch Community
Transformation Network at a cost of $4 million in early 2005. During
the dedication ceremony in April 2005, all of Antioch and the San
Antonio community rejoiced as we witnessed the great things that God
had done.
In 2010, Antioch built on this solid foundation by
entering the second phase of its capital campaign to raise $2
million to complete a Family Life and Education Center. Over the
last three years, this effort has been highlighted by our “Visionary
Giving” initiative, followed by “The 1500” initiative during which
we encouraged the membership to make sacrificial gifts above the
tithe in preparation for construction of the Family Life and
Education Center. This past year, Antioch culminated this effort by
entering a “Foundation Builders Capital Campaign,” during which we
encouraged members to make pledges toward the completion of the
Family Life and Education Center over a period of five years or
less. We are currently in the process of extending the Foundation
Builders Capital Campaign to members of the corporate community who
may wish to contribute to this herculean effort to improve our
community. With the sacrificial giving of our membership and our
friends in the community, we are now prepared to move forward in
breaking ground for the Education Center. While the final plans are
still being completed, the Education Center will be an approximate
$4 million facility that will consist of an Education Wing to house
the Antioch Christian Academy (ACA) and the Walker Institute of
Learning and Leadership for Boys of Excellence (WILLBE Academy).
Included in the Education Wing will be administrative offices, a
media center, science labs, and a modern kitchen and cafeteria. The
Family Life Wing will consist of a beautiful and spacious banquet
hall with direct access to the current sanctuary.
The primary
purpose for this building is to provide ministry to our community.
It is imperative that we complete this building project because
there is a tremendous need to provide educational opportunities for
our children, many of whom may come from traditionally disadvantaged
neighborhoods. In particular, we are sensitive to the needs of males
in the San Antonio community who are being threatened by violence,
drugs, and increased school dropout rates. Using the modern and
spacious facilities of the Education Wing, the ACA will be able to
enhance its educational offerings through our Early Learning Center
and Elementary School for boys and girls. Also using the Education
Wing, the WILLBE Academy, named for Rev. Dr. E. Thurman Walker, will
be able to reach middle school boys at a critical time in their
development and strengthen them to become men of excellence instead
of being lost to the pressures of adolescence and societal
deprivation.
We know that this is a tremendous challenge, but
we are trusting God to help us reach beyond our human capabilities.
He can do what we cannot. As the scripture teaches, our God, whom we
serve, "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or
think..." (Ephesians 3:20)
In order to complete this project,
we need every member of Antioch and our friends in the community to
commit to giving regularly and sacrificially above the tithe to this
minsitry. As we partner together, we can make this vision a
reality!"
With the help of our God and the partnership of our
people, we are “Still Believing, Building, and Bridging with
Intentional Faith.”
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