Grace Village in Perry started with Frank Shelton’s vision. Five years ago, Shelton, a humble servant of God and head of Perry Volunteer Outreach (PVO), envisioned a facility that would house and rehabilitate women who found themselves in desperate situations. From his vision, and through the hard work and dedication of a partnership of people from the community, city, and state, a beautiful facility called Grace Village has been constructed to bring restoration to women who have been incarcerated or are homeless.

The dedication ceremony for Grace Village was held on Friday, November 6, in the facility’s parking lot, the same plot where the groundbreaking ceremony occurred 3-1/2 years earlier on March 14, 2006. Grace Village, consisting of 24 apartment units, a training center, and a laundromat, sits on 12 acres of land on Hwy. 41 South.

Dr. Stephen Summerow, Pastor of Oldfield Baptist Church, opened the dedication ceremony in prayer, “When we look around this property, we thank God for what he has done. Grace Village is an example of what brothers and sisters coming together in the name of God can do. Grace Village has been built to glorify our Father who is in heaven, and we lift this entire center up to our Father.”

Larry Wood, the PVO Minister and emcee of the dedication ceremony, welcomed the group of over 100 who assembled for the celebration. He said, “Where you stand today was an open field 3-1/2 years ago. The beautiful facility you now see is the culmination of the construction project, and only the beginning of the greatest work that is still to be done in the hearts and souls of the women seeking shelter here. Grace Village and a whole community will stand behind them.”

Cooperation is the word that best describes the building of Grace Village, according to Wood. He said, ”The most amazing thing has been to see the cooperation among everyone involved. When God has a plan, He accomplishes it the way he sees fit.”

Representatives from the city, county, and state governments gathered for the dedication ceremony, along with the Perry Volunteer Outreach board members, volunteers, area business owners, and members of the faith-based community. They all contributed to the building of Grace Village.

Wood told the story of how Frank Shelton shared his vision with representatives of the City of Perry and the Georgia Department of Corrections. With their support, he asked Sara Davis to write an application for state funding. As a result, Perry Volunteer Outreach received a $500, 000 Small Cities’ Community Development Block Grant from the Department of Community Affairs, providing funds to help low to moderate income people. Funds from the grant were used to buy the building materials for Grace Village. The Georgia Department of Corrections provided an inmate crew that completed almost all of the construction work, except paving the parking lots and the air conditioning work.

Brian Owens, Department of Corrections Commissioner, shared that it had been an absolute honor and privilege to help Frank Shelton achieve his vision.

Perry’s Mayor Jim Worrall said, ”My favorite movie, Field of Dreams, is known for the quote “if you build it, they will come.” I thank God that Frank Shelton had this vision. We know the good that will come from this effort. Grace Village has been dedicated from day one to God.”

Jim Miller, project manager for Grace Village, served as the liaison between the Department of Corrections, builders, and suppliers. “Grace Village is built on the Word of God. Under every apartment doorway is a Bible, placed in a plastic bag and cemented in the foundation. Words can’t express what it’s meant to be part of this project for the past 3-1/2 years,” Miller said.

Just as she had at the groundbreaking ceremony 3-1/2 years before, Tracy Westmoreland again sang “We are standing on Holy Ground.”

Jeremy Morton, Pastor of Cross Point Baptist Church and a PVO board member, read the text of Matthew 25: 31-46 and then closed the dedication ceremony in prayer, “Thank you Heavenly Father for this great day of celebration. Thank you for everyone that has contributed time, money, and energy to see Grace Village open her doors. Thank you that today is the beginning of a ministry that will change lives, change families, and change our city for your glory and praise. We pray, Father, that this ministry would continually know your hand of blessing and provision. We ask that you give wisdom to Frank Shelton, Riley Hunt, Larry Wood, and the others who will make crucial decisions for Grace Village. And we especially pray for each woman and child that will walk through these doors. Help them to find your grace and love in this place. Help Grace Village to be the start of something new, something better, and something eternal in their lives. We love you, God. We aim to honor you in this place. Help us all to be faithful to build your Kingdom in this city, so that thousands will come to know Jesus. In Christ's name we pray, Amen.”

The dedication included an open house of the facility. Many participants were overheard remarking about the beauty and tastefulness of the decor. Larry Wood said, “We couldn’t have completed this part without the hands-on involvement of the volunteers.”

Each room at Grace Village was furnished and decorated by a local community group.

Crucial to the financial success of the project were the local businesses that partnered with PVO to give discounts on project materials and furnishings. They included Connors Flooring, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s Home Improvement (Hwy. 96 store), Warner Robins Supply, Southeast Electrical, Mobley Furniture, and Stanley Furniture.

Riley Hunt, a Perry City Councilman, will serve as the Business Administrator for Grace Village.

Frank Shelton, when asked about the ministry of Grace Village, replied, “If God built it, He’ll supply it.”

For more information, call the PVO office at 478-218-2274.