When Overcoming Church realized it would need more space to add new ministries and expand the programs it already had, pastors Bruce and Loretta Farr, married for 37 years, thought about moving out of the area. They wanted eight acres of connected land, something they couldnāt get at their location near the corner of East 22nd Street and Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue in the Martindale-Brightwood area.
But then an idea came about, one that would allow Overcoming and its ministries to stay put. In coordination with the churchās 25-year anniversary, Overcoming launched its Rebirth initiative, because ā[w]e feel like this is where we should be,ā Bruce said, āso we decided after looking around and considering other options that this is where weāll stay.ā
Last year, as part of the initiative, Overcoming led a community cleanup, including cleaning up brush and trimming back bushes. It also started doing āfaith walksā around the area by getting to know people in the community and learning what their concerns and needs are. As Bruce said, itās all about ārevisiting our vision, revisiting our commitment to our community, revisiting our purpose,ā which is connecting more people with God.
Overcoming might also be able to solve its space problem through Rebirth. It launched a capital campaign last year to be able to put up another building across the street, where the church already has a recreation center. Overcoming has ministries such as an addiction program, food pantry and classes to help small and new businesses that Bruce said are growing out of the space the church has now.
Loretta has taken the lead on a few women-focused ministries, including Naomi Houses, which aims to improve quality of life for young women, particularly first-time mothers. Naomi Houses existed before Rebirth, but Loretta said the initiative has ādefinitely been a surge or a shot in the arm for the community. People are excited right now.ā
Statistical Atlas, a website that uses U.S. Census Bureau data to create overviews of areas as small as single blocks, shows Martindale-Brightwood as an area that could use these types of services. Median household income, for example, is about $24,000, while median household income for the city of Indianapolis is about $43,000.
Those ministries act as more than simple handouts to the community. Theyāre more involved than that, requiring more resources and greater commitment. So far, though, itās an effort that seems to be paying off.
āWe have found that people are very much so open and appreciative of the fact that our approach toward them is coming alongside you,ā Bruce said, āand not like weāre coming to rescue you.ā
Ila Mitchell, an entrepreneur who started two related businesses ā a construction company, and a heating and cooling company ā credited Overcomingās small business program for saving his businesses. He said money was so tight before he found the program that he had to take bad loans to stay afloat and was paying back almost $290 a day at one point. But the program taught him some of the business basics he was looking for, and it even connected him with another business program that took him further down the path of entrepreneurial success.
āIt puts you in touch with the people who have the answers to the problems you have,ā Mitchell said of Overcomingās community-oriented ministries.
This is what Overcoming wanted to come out of its renewed commitment to Martindale-Brightwood, a sense of devotion that can drive change and, in some cases, change lives.
āItās kind of like weāre a heartbeat in the community,ā Loretta said. āWeāve been planted here for some years, so people know us.ā
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Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.
An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Naomi Houses as “Naomi Spouses.”
Through its Rebirth initiative, Overcoming Church has rededicated itself to the Martindale-Brightwood area with ministries and programs to help the community. (Photo/Tyler Fenwick)