Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Milestone for White House Church’s New Building Project

After decades of prayer, planning, and perseverance, the White House, Tenn., Church officially broke ground on a long-awaited new church and community center on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The event marked a milestone in the congregation’s 20-year journey to establish a space designed not only for worship but also to serve the community.

The 15-acre property has been in the church’s possession since 2003. Despite paying off the property in 2010, the vision for construction was repeatedly delayed due to logistical challenges and rising costs. However, a combination of faith and strategic decisions, including the sale of the church’s former building, has reignited the project.

“This is bigger than we could accomplish on our own,” said Tom Day, a founding member of the White House Church and elder for over 50 years. “It’s just like the two loaves and fishes. I tell our congregation over and over: Andrew brought those fish and loaves to Jesus. He didn’t exactly know what [Jesus] would do, but he felt like He could feed the crowd with it. We have two loaves, and we have fish, and we’re moving forward.”

The new facility, expected to cost approximately $4 million, will feature a fellowship hall, kitchen, and classrooms, creating space for community-focused initiatives. Plans include hosting cooking classes, after-school care, and outreach programs aimed at providing both practical skills and spiritual mentorship.

“We want a place where we can share the multitude of skills and talents that God has given us with our community,” said Heather Smartt, the church’s building committee chairperson, who has been involved with the church for more than 30 years. “People have to know that you care before they care about what you know, and they're not going to listen to us preaching at them until they know that we care about them.”

The church has relied on creative fundraising to move the project forward. Members have recycled scrap metal, sold handmade crafts, and hosted events to raise money. Others have contributed proceeds from property sales or personal ventures.

“You cannot out give God,” Day said. “For me, this [project] has been 20 years in the making. I’ve seen us grow, and I’ve seen us decline, but now we’re finally moving forward. We are a little bit like the Israelites stepping into the Red Sea, and we know [God is] going to part it. We don't know how, but we know He’s going to provide the way.”

With construction set to begin immediately, church leaders are prayerful that the building will be completed within a year. They are appealing to fellow churches and beyond for additional support to bring the project to completion.

“The project represents not only a new chapter for the White House Church, but also a broader call for Adventist churches across the region to support one another in expanding their reach,” White House Church Pastor, Jeremy Leggett, said. “For us at White House, that means paying it forward and helping other churches achieve goals and dreams that might otherwise seem out of reach.”