Regrowing the Community

Several churches in the Putnam Avenue area look to assist in community development.  

LifeBridge Ohio is a process ten years in the making. It’s a collaboration of several ministries trying to strengthen the overall health of the Putnam area. 

Jeff Kobunski, pastor at the Muskingum Valley Vineyard Church, said LifeBridge is building a bridge into the community. 

"I think that’s the demand of the gospel," he said. "I think that’s what God would want us to do. I believe the Kingdom of God invades a space and not only is there spiritual renewal, but there’s material renewal, there’s relational renewal, there’s — literally the scripture talks about cities being rebuilt when God is in charge of a place."

Part of the program involves opening a place where people can get help. Kobunski said volunteers are ready to go but that something is still missing before there can be an official launch. 

"Money. Honestly, we have the facilities virtually ready, we have a management team in place," he said. "We’re just a week away from the health department final approval. So really we’re just in the final phases of fundraising to actually do the launch."

So far, LifeBride has spent $30,000 transforming a building for the collaboration. Kobunski estimated that around $100,000 of volunteer hours has been put in. Now, for the launch to be a possibility, he said they’re searching for around $25,000.