Unbroken

What started as a conversation between friends turned into a community event Saturday night that raised enough money to build an entire home, and totaled $55,847.25.

During the first Fuller Center Fish Fry, more than 300 area residents came through the Sumter County fairgrounds to have their fill of catfish, hush puppies and cheese grits. The funds raised went to the Americus-Sumter Fuller Center for Housing covenant partner.

The idea for the fish fry came when Americus resident Jacob Battle was fishing with his close friend Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center. They talked about times years ago that Battle would fry fish in Habitat's parking lot. They imagined doing one for the Fuller Center, maybe raising money to build a house in Sumter County.

After Fuller died in February, Battle worked hard to make that vision a reality, but he didn't work alone.

"I think for us to raise over $55,000 during a recession and in the short time we put this together is tremendous," Battle said. "This has given us an opportunity in Sumter County to come together — residents, church, city and government."

In addition to keynote speaker and former Americus resident Congressman Paul Broun, the evening featured a raffle with prizes from 20 local merchants. The night also included performances by musical group UNBROKEN and the Zion Hope Youth Choir.

Nine local restaurants donated food and a group of men from Calvary Episcopal Church fried it all up.

After being introduced by Americus Mayor Barry Blount, Broun spoke about Millard and Linda Fuller's accomplishments and the momentum that's still building today.

"Tonight isn't about me, and it isn't about politics," Broun said. "It's about a dream Millard Fuller and his wife Linda had many years ago. Millard had a dream to try to provide housing to people who were underprivileged.

"He was trying to serve the people here in Sumter County and the people of the world. Because of Millard's dream people all over this world tonight are in a home that they own, or they are buying and are paying for through their own efforts."

Linda Fuller, co-founder of the Fuller Center for Housing, was in attendance. She remembered the support the community showed for Habibtat for Humanity's Sumter County Initiative to build 500 homes in the area to eradicate poverty housing locally.

"The Fish Fry this weekend was just one more example of this continuing support of Millard’s vision of 'No More Shacks,' not only in Americus and Sumter County, but all over the world," she said.

Chair of the local Fuller Center board, Kirk Lyman-Barner took a moment to announce that a tithing check for $4,500 was sent to the Fuller Center Peru.

"In addition to a family here in Americus, there is a family in Peru that is going to get a house because of all of you in here," Lyman-Barner said.

Battle closed the event by addressing the crowd. "I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love, generosity and compassion," he said.

The Fuller Center for Housing is an international ministry that builds and renovates homes for qualifying applicants. To learn more about the Americus-Sumter Fuller Center visit fullercenter.org/americus.
- Americus Times Recorder Newspaper

A Christian Ministry from Macon, Georgia has made their presence known through their words and music. The band Unbroken, led by Pastor David Wilson, was anxious to start their mission work the moment they arrived in the area. Scheduled as the kick-off band for Praise In The Park on July 6, they performed at Valley Mission on June 27. So taken by their message and how it was conveyed, Pastor Beverly Robinson asked them back for the evening of July 1. For their second visit they arranged to use our dining room, and brought amplifiers and more drums, filling the building with powerful songs of praise. Calling on God to enter the room, Pastor Wilson closed the evening with prayers and redemption as many were drawn forward in worship. Support and blessings of comfort were offered. Their first album,
titled Repairers of the Breach, states clearly the mission for which they feel called.
A cord was struck between Pastor Wilson and Pastor Robinson, who want to bring the word of God to the outcasts and the forgotten.
Originally scheduled to leave the area in early August, it appears Unbroken
may stay longer, as God calls them to reach into the byways and
give healing to the broken-hearted. We look forward to additional visits
at Valley Mission, as this ministry uplifts and restores through their gift
of music. To view photos of the Valley Mission concert please visit our Facebook
Fan page. - Valley Mission, The Beacon

The annual Praise in the Park gospel music series is gearing up again this summer to present a number of bands to the faithful and those in need of faith. The summerlong series begins Tuesday and concerts will be held beginning at 7 p.m. each consecutive Tuesday through August. Praise in the Park’s first scheduled performers are a band from Macon, Ga., called Unbroken, which will also play the event again July 27 for teen night with two other bands. But that’s not all that Unbroken will do during their visit to the area. On Friday, they performed their second concert for the Valley Mission since June 27. “They have a heart for the homeless,” said mission pastor Beverly Robinson. “Their music is very good, and it got the residents excited for Praise in the Park.” Robinson said that a group from the mission will all walk over to enjoy the performances. The pastor enjoyed Unbroken’s musical message so much that she even turned Wendy Shiflett on to them. “They’ve had a CD out for a little while now,” Shiflett said. “I bought it on Sunday and have been listening to it every day since.” The band itself is still pretty new, having formed only five years ago, when its members all met in church. Though the band calls Macon home, its members come from various states, including Tennessee, Louisana, Georgia and Virginia. It all started with a rehabilitation center, Grace Underground Ministries, a church ministry, said Pastor David Wilson and his wife, Julie, in an e-mail to The News Virginian. “The call of God spoke and said we would be playing together as a live band in 128 days. A few months later we received a phone call where someone wanted us to play,” they said. “Needless to say, that date was exactly 128 days later! Some of us who could never play an instrument or sing were doing just that as the band began.” It was Pastor David who chose the name Unbroken when a man he met heard the band’s story of how they all stuck together to run the rehabilitation center. “We started off running [the] rehabilitation center with only a keyboard and drums for services,” the Wilsons said. “[We intend] to continually write music that keeps lyrics about life, reality and the love of Jesus Christ — music that ranges in styles from contemporary to alternative rock, hip-hop, reggie [sic] to power ballads, country to native flutes and tribal percussions. Music that encourages, uplifts and brings people closer to the heart of God.” The Wilsons said their songs are written through the inspiration they receive from the Holy Spirit and are written as a team effort. They select their subject matter from the pain and joy in life: the trials, peace, daily experiences and worship of Jesus Christ.
Since the release of their CD, “Repairer of the Breach,” in January, the Wilsons said the pace has picked up for their band. Work on two new CDs has also already begun. “We practice between life and the ministry’s responsibilities,” they said.
Band members include Julie and David Wilson, Angel Wilson (no relation), Hannah Wilson (David’s daughter), Cody Hughes, Bobby Morrison and Truan Walker and they are being hosted by Revolution Church on Delphine Avenue in Waynesboro.
The Wilsons said their goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through their music and ministry, hoping to expose darkness and provoke love.
“We would like for people to know that God is real and that there is hope in Him,” the Wilsons said. “God is a God that answers prayer and He is very alive on this earth. His presence is real and it can heal, deliver and bring great hope.
“In short, we would like to say that prayer is the answer.”
- The News Virginian Newspaper (Entertainment Section)