Pathways Create: West U Baptist Access Ramp and Front Playground

The proposed exterior improvements for the West U Baptist campus are essential steps in creating a space of radical and universal welcome right at our front door. The work includes installing a handicap access ramp to ensure that all individuals, from needing wheelchair access to pushing a stroller, have clear, safe access to the building. This eliminates physical barriers, affirming our commitment to serving every person God sends us. Simultaneously, we are building a beautiful, amazing playground on the front yard at Milton. The need for this is strategic: the playground acts as a powerful beacon that says to young families, "We want you to come in!" By investing in these visible and practical additions, we are changing the impression and curb appeal of our campus, and as the sun sets and evening emerges, we will light up the front of our church as a beacon for the community to see. This effort is not just updating buildings—it is positioning this campus for the next generation of ministry.

Endorsement from Ben Hays, West U Baptist Campus Pastor

When we think about building a church facility that is truly community-facing, we should consider how best to serve the most vulnerable among us. In the plans for our upcoming renovations, we are doing just that! Two groups of people who must be accommodated and served with excellence come to mind: the physically impaired and young children. We envision meaningful improvements to our campus for both.

For those with mobility limitations, we are constructing a new wheelchair-accessible ramp at the front of the church to provide easy entry through our Auden Street doors. This will be a vast improvement over our current accessibility and will make the church’s main entrance far more welcoming than the existing stairs alone. For our children, we are building a visually inviting, playfully engaging, and structurally safe playground on the front lawn at the corner of Milton and Auden. Located right across from the always-busy baseball fields, this playground will serve as a joyful welcome sign to our community. Both of these additions to our campus will serve our congregation and neighborhood well for decades to come.

Endorsement from Alice Backsen, West U Baptist Member

We love to be in the 8:30A worship service at CityRise West U Baptist. But the narrow northside ramp is difficult with a wheelchair. We depend on a greeter to help push it up the ramp. We are grateful to learn about the upgraded accessibility to the front entrance of the church.