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Whether through serendipity or divine plan, a home for neglected and abused children begins to become a reality.
By GAIL HOLLENBECK
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 17, 2002
DUNNELLON -- The two women on a singles retreat walked along a beach in St. Augustine four years ago, talking about the plight of needy children.
Cathy Morey had grown up in South America, where she had seen children who were exploited and living in poverty. She felt that the Lord wanted her to create a place with Avis Craig in Florida that would minister to children. Craig told her that she had similar feelings.
Engrossed in their discussion, the women paid little attention to a thunderstorm that was pouring rain on them.
"Somehow the rain didn't matter and we just kept walking while it was thundering and lightning," Morey said. "We kept talking about this vision of a children's home. When we finished the conversation, it was like all of a sudden we realized there had just been a storm and we were far away from where we started. We looked up and there was a beautiful rainbow. The rain had stopped and we looked at each other and started laughing because we were totally soaked. And we realized the moment was very special and was probably God's promise that something was going to happen. But we didn't see how either one of us was in a position to do anything at that time."
Both women had busy lives, and they went their separate ways. Morey worked with abused children and felt the Lord leading her to get a second master's degree, this time in counseling. She married.
Craig worked as the director of development for Citrus Hills.
Morey's husband belonged to Springs Presbyterian Church in Dunnellon. Cathy Morey learned from the pastor, Keeth Staton, that the church had long had a vision of a children's home.
"Soon after our church began nine years ago, it became apparent that there were a number of people that were coming with the idea of a children's home," Staton said. "We bought property about five years ago and one of the reasons we bought a bigger piece was because we planned on a children's home."
Not knowing of Morey's affiliation with the church, Craig visited Springs Presbyterian a year and a half ago. She liked what she saw and decided to join. Morey was in Orlando working on her degree.
"Keeth mentioned that a home was something they would like to do and I said, You won't believe this, but this has really been on my heart a long time.' But I could never figure out how it was supposed to happen or where I would fit in. Toward the end of when I was in school, Keeth said they were ready to do this and wanted my help to put it together.
"I told him that the only way I could do it was with a woman I'd met named Avis Craig, because she really is the mover and shaker in this town and she needs to be the development director. He said, "Well, you won't believe this, but Avis is in our pastor's class.' "
In June the vision of two women and a church took the first step toward becoming a reality when the Covenant Children's Home was incorporated.
"We're at the organizational stage right now," Craig said. "Our general vision is to establish a cottage-style children's home that will probably start with one house that would house six to eight children with house parents. From there we will begin to develop the property as a fully functional community, supported by the greater Christian community. We would certainly like to see it be a community-based venture, not one church, not one denomination."
The home will provide long-term care and will keep siblings together, Morey said. It will provide a Christian home environment as opposed to dormitories.
Early plans include about five cottages with about eight children living with house parents in each one. Each "cottage family" will work, play and attend a local church together.
Phase I will include one cottage, two offices, a small conference room for adult training, a van for transportation and a storage shed. Phase II includes two more cottages and vans and outside recreational facilities. Phase III will include two more cottages and van, another storage shed and a gymnasium and children's center. By the completion of Phase III, they hope to be serving about 40 children.
A board of directors has formed, and the members are busy learning from those who have traveled this road before. The director of the Sea Mark Ranch in Jacksonville visited the church last week to talk about the large ministry there. Next week a local church group will travel to a well-established children's home in Mississippi to spend a week performing acts of service, as they have for several years, and learning more about that home.
"I want to go there and stay in one of the cottages and see it firsthand day to day," Craig said. "That's my purpose, to be able to touch it and understand exactly how it's run."
Morey said they are seeking board members from other churches for the home, which is nondenominational.
"We are looking for evangelical Christians who really have a burden to serve," Morey said.
A vision statement prepared by Morey tells what the home is all about:
"The Covenant Children's Home is a safe refuge where school-age children who have been neglected, mistreated, abandoned or abused can heal through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
"Our goal is to share the Gospel with these children as they strive to live responsible, productive and meaningful lives. Our Home will be responsive to the individual needs of each child as we provide a continuum of services that include Christ-centered moral, spiritual, physical, emotional and educational nurturing.
"Although we do not accept any federal or state funding, we will work to promote partnerships among public and private agencies (such as individual donors, foundations, corporations, clubs/organizations, churches, etc.).
"We are devoted to serving the best interests of our children and their community by encouraging communication, fostering trust and honoring commitments. Above all our goal is to serve and glorify the Lord."
A booklet about the ministry will soon be available through Springs Presbyterian Church. Call 489-8992 for information.