This fall, the Norwalk church celebrated the realization of a vision that has been in the works for more than three years. It all started with a visit from Paolo Macena, leadership director for the North American Division. “He encouraged us to use our facility as an urban center of influence to provide services needed by the community,” remembered Melissa Baptiste, associate director of the new Norwalk Life Transformation Center.
The church has been offering a variety of services, and in November, the center officially held its grand opening. Peter Baptiste, pastor of the Norwalk church, spoke at the event of the words found in Luke 4 (from Isaiah 61). “One of the phrases from that chapter that I love so much is when He talks in verse three about beauty for ashes,” Baptiste shared. “In a very real sense, we have a community here today of people living in Norwalk who are experiencing ashes of grief, sin, and sorrow, and many people are broken and hurting and struggling. And as a church community, what I’m so excited about is that Norwalk has chosen to embrace these people.”
Through each service offered by the center— whether it be free food and clothing or tutoring and singing lessons—the theme was true service grounded in love. “In the community, we are hoping that our biggest impact as a center is to help meet some of the needs of the people of Norwalk, connecting and building relationships with them and sharing the love and gospel of Jesus Christ in the process,” Melissa explained. “For our church members, it is our hope that the center provides them the opportunities to help truly serve and sincerely connect with the community.”
“We dedicate this whole purpose, this new Norwalk Life Transformation Center, for You—so we know it will do great things in Your honor,” prayed Brett Poynter, Southern California Conference L.A. Metro Region director.
To learn more, visit lifetransformationcenter.org.
