The Christian mission in Enterprise has big plans for an addition that would allow them to serve even more Wiregrass families.

Nearly 5,000 people have been helped by the Christian Mission Centers in Enterprise and the director hopes to continue that work by opening a shelter that's been in the planning stages for years.

While walking home from church one Sunday afternoon in 1983, Reverend Johnny Belcher envisioned a place where he could serve the homeless by meeting both their physical and spiritual needs.

"One of the most exciting things in the world is to be able to help others and to be able to do that through food and shelter and other means is truly a reward, a reward that can't be purchased,” says the Christian Mission Director Johnny Belcher.

It all started in an old grocery store and laundromat and now Belcher says with God's help the Christian Mission in Enterprise runs several shelters, a cafeteria and a number of other assistance programs.

But that's not where the vision ends.

You'll find an architectural rendering for a new shelter for women and children hanging on Belcher's office wall.

"In the new shelter we'll be able to have comfortably 14 people. We'll have a mother and maybe two children per room and these rooms will be self contained. They'll have their own bath facilities, closet facilities and sleeping areas,” says Belcher.

It'll located on Geneva Highway next to the Christian Mission's main office and cafeteria, that way they're close by for all of their needs.

"We’re looking forward to being able to provide a warm cozy shelter for women and children that are homeless in Coffee County and the Wiregrass area,” says Belcher.

They're currently working to obtain a building permit and hope to break ground on the shelter in the next few weeks.

About half the money needed to build the shelter has been collected so far and Belcher says they hope to be able to open the doors with the building paid for in full.

If you'd like more information on how you can help, you can call the Christian Mission at (334) 393-2607.