Refuel Teen Center dedicated
Iconoclast & The Undone to perform during Grand Opening celebration

Wanda Nichols Photo WHAT BETTER WAY TO SAY THANK YOU -- As a way of showing their gratitude, members of Faith Baptist Church established the Sam Young scholarship for his perseverence and dedication to the development of the Refuel Teen Center, in downtown Brownsboro. The $500 scholarship will be awarded every year to a Brownsboro High graduating senior. Pictured: Faith Baptist Pastor Darin Watson (L) presents a plaque to Young during the center's dedication service held Sunday evening.

Not even the threat of a freezing winter storm could keep those devoted souls away from the Refuel Teen Center's dedication in Brownsboro Sunday evening.

Following a slide presentation of before, during, and after photos documenting the Center's progression from July through January, Faith Baptist Church, of Brownsboro, Pastor Darin Watson welcomed the crowd.

"When you see where it came from and where it is now and all the sacrifice made for the kids it brings tears to my eyes. Wow!" Watson said.

Inspirational music was provided by the church's "house band," whose members are James Conner, Jeff Smiley, and Chris Powell on guitars; Randall Conner, bass; Jordynn Conner, piano; Jeffrey Smiley, drums; and singers Kara Rainwater and Julia Conner.

Wanda Nichols Photo A PLETHORA OF ACTIVITIES -- await all teens who wish to join the Refuel Teen Center in Brownsboro. Pictured (L-R) Sabrina Shofner, Britney Burt, Grant Flynn, and Coy Powell enjoy a video game while at the Refuel Teen Center.

Work on the Center began last summer when the old feed store building, located on State Highway 31, across from the Brownsboro school campuses, became vacant. Watson, who had been concerned for the welfare of many area teens saw the vacancy as a sign from above to take action, and ran his idea by church member Sam Young, vice president of Tommy Williams Drywall.

"We've talked about this for a long time," Watson said in an earlier interview. "When the old feed store came vacant, we decided to look into the possibility of a youth center. I mentioned it to a few members, and Sam was one of them. A door opened and we walked through it."

With Watson's vision in mind, Young got to work securing donations and free labor from numerous business connections.

The building's owner Kenny Cowley not only gave the church a break on the rent, but agreed to upgrade the air conditioning system and plumbing. Faith Baptist Youth Director James Conner rounded up the church's youth to help out, church members pitched in, and more than 20 businesses and individuals stepped up to the plate to volunteer their services and products.

"I'm proud of the kids of these adults," Watson said Sunday. "We've had so many who have helped in so many ways from helping out to prayer. We couldn't have done it without you."

Watson handed out lapel pins to all who were involved in the project as a reminder of all their hard work and dedication.

Plaques were presented to the following for their support in helping make the Refuel Teen Center a reality:

Steve Wise, of Y's Hometown Foods for donating a pop corn machine, hot dog warmer, and $100 to get the Center's snack bar started; Coburn's Plumbing, plumbing fixtures; Swann Electric, electric supplies and "knowhow; " Roy Hedder, grout and tile work; Pct. 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence, trash disposal; Libby Fulgham and RPR Company, cabinets; Gardner Acoustics, ceiling work; Braswell Paint, painting, texturing, etc.; Robert Baggett, bean bag chairs; Jerry Mabry of Tyler Woodworks, cabinetry and trash can tables; Thomas Pritchard of Winn Tile, bathroom tile; Larry Dickson, Baldwin digital piano that was dedicated to the Refuel Teen Center in memory of Louise Dickson; Tommy Williams Drywall, donation of studs, sheet rock, and labor; Palady Air, air conditioning work; Ken Hodge of East Texas Alarm, for alarm system; Craig Turner, of Turner Electric; Kenny and Diana Cowley, building owners.

"He understood our vision for this place," Watson said. "He has been as excited as everyone else. This building is certainly worth more than what he's having us pay."

As a way of showing their gratitude, members of Faith Baptist Church, Brownsboro, established the Sam Young scholarship for his perseverance and dedication to the development of the Refuel Teen Center. The $500 scholarship will go to one graduating senior annually.

The church's youth were also recognized and presented with Refuel Teen Center tshirts.

The facility has a lot to offer: a coffee house-type lounge area, pool table, fooz ball, ping-pong, a video game area, concessions, and an auditorium for special Christian concert events and karoake. Future plans include a sand volleyball court, and other outdoor activities at the back of the building.

A student council made up of the church's teen members will be appointed to handle many of the activities and events.

A Grand Opening Celebration of the Refuel Teen Center will be held Saturday, January 27. Iconoclast and The Undone will perform in concert. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., with the concert beginning at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.

The Center's hours of operation will be every day after school, 3pm-7pm, except Friday 3pm-midnight, and Saturday 6pm-midnight.

Church members collegeage and up will be on staff to oversee all activities, and parental involvement is encouraged.

Although the center is a ministry of Faith Baptist Church, of Brownsboro, all teens are welcome. Anyone who wishes to become a member is welcome.