J127 Ministry
DURANT – The J127 Dayspring Campus on 49th Avenue in Durant has been abuzz with activity in preparation of opening its first home for young adults aging out of the foster care system. Executive Director Adrean Stinnett, who has been coordinating it, is quick to give thanks to so many in the community who are dedicating their time, effort, and talents, and to praise God for continuing to provide the monetary and human resources necessary to take on such an endeavor.
“It’s been amazing watching our community come together in such a time as this,” Stinnett said.
J127 Ministry, Inc., was formed in 2017 to aid young people who have aged out of the foster care system are orphaned or homeless due to lack of family.
In June 2018, the trustees of the former Dayspring Church deeded J127 Ministry three acres and a 6,000 square-foot building. Immediately, Stinnett and the board members of J127 envisioned the former church building as a training center for the youth who will take part in the J127 program, as well as an office area, banquet hall and fellowship area for the community.
Volunteers from Fusion Bible Church join painters from Mike Baird, LLC to paint the exterior of the Girls’ Home Building Project on Saturday, July 27. Photo provided.
The women of Under His Wings partnered with J127 to remodel the building and transform it into a place where intentional ministry can and will happen for both ministries individually, as well as together.
In October 2018, as a result of many generous donations from our community, as well as a grant from the Clark Foundation, parent company of WebstaurantStore, the team decided it was time to break ground on the first building project – a home which will soon house 10 young ladies plus a house parent.
“We want to provide these women with not only a safe space to land, but a cozy, hospitable, loving environment to give them roots to grow,” Stinnett said.
This 5,200 square-foot home is being built by donations from the community and the donations of labor and supplies from various local businesses. In March, the walls were stood and roof was raised by a group of men and women from across the nation who work as a team called World Mission Builders.
On Friday afternoon, Stinnett met with United States Senator James Lankford and his wife, Cindy, to tell them about the organization and show them the training center and home site.
“It was an honor to have our Senator take the time to come see what we’re doing here at J127,” Stinnett said.
Saturday morning, J127 hosted a group of volunteers from Fusion Bible Church, along with painter, Mike Baird, to paint the exterior of the home. On Saturday afternoon, Under His Wings hosted their monthly lunch in for the widows in the Training Center. The property which sat vacant only a year ago was buzzing with activity throughout the day.
Members of Under His Wings Ministry gathered at the J127 Dayspring Campus to celebrate their monthly banquet with a crab boil on Saturday, July 27. Photo provided.
“Piece by piece, and hour by hour, this community is giving life to a home that will be a turning point in the lives of so many,” said Carol Hines, who serves on the board for J127. “The unity of businesses, individuals and churches to build this building has been an incredible thing to be a part of.”
J127 hopes to see the doors of the Girls’ Home open to the first group of young ladies before the end of the year. However, they estimate the building project to still need $38,000 in order to complete the home debt free, which is a goal of the organization.
For more information on how you can make a donation to J127 or volunteer to serve, please visit www.j127ministry.com or contact Adrean directly at 580-235-5540. If you would like to know more about becoming involved in Under His Wings, a ministry to serve widows and widowers with excellence in a Christ-centered environment, please visit www.underhiswings914.org.