New Birth Outreach Church opens Future Life Center

The first step is complete.

New Birth Outreach Church in Midland has opened its Future Life Center, which includes classrooms that will be used when the Emanuel Preparatory School of Math and Science opens in 2016.

It took 15 months for the $3.2 million, 22,000-square-foot structure to be built.

"There are still a few minor details being worked on, but it's ready for use," Pastor Carlos Coleman said. "We are pleased how it turned out. We are satisfied for sure."

Coleman said the church plans to eventually construct three more buildings for the school on its 42.5 acres on Veterans Parkway.

Coleman said the church is currently searching for a school headmaster.

The private school for boys will be K4-8th grade but will begin with just the youngest. Coleman expects to have about 24 students.

The calculated emphasis will be on science and math, and Coleman said Georgia Tech is helping prepare a curriculum.

Coleman said the church wants to inspire excellence and be the leader in education in areas where the United States and Georgia continue to fall behind on the international stage. The vision is to become the new standard for advanced learning in an advanced society.

"God is calling us to be in the forefront," he said.

The pastor said it is critical to build a strong foundation by beginning to teach the boys at an early age.

The center's classrooms will also be used for the children's ministry.

There is much more to the building than classrooms.

"We have a great sanctuary, but we really didn't have a place for fellowship," Coleman said.

It does now.

A conference room, the Farnsworth Coleman Sr. Ministry Center, named for the pastor's father and founder of the church, will seat about 350 people.

The large, carpeted room will be able to double as a gym with portable basketball goals.

Next to the ministry center is a large, modern kitchen.

"We have never had a full kitchen before," said Coleman, adding the need for caterers at church functions won't be so great now.

Named for the pastor's mother, Patricia Coleman, is the 50-seat Elder Pat's Chapel. Coleman said his mother is very proud of the bright, pew-filled room.

Near that chapel is a meeting room where Coleman said the church's "Hour of Power" Bible study will be held on Wednesdays.

There is a teen room to be filled with the latest technology.

Another room will be home to exercise equipment.

A room, without windows, is available to view videos.

There are several offices for staff, something badly needed.

Along the walls throughout the center are niches where artwork will go honoring large donors.

"We are showing here that God is doing great things," Coleman said.

This story was originally published June 5, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "New Birth Outreach Church opens Future Life Center."