Media Release
First Baptist Church - Temple, TX

February 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Point of Contact: Martin Knox, Pastor - 254.773.6866

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER UPDATE

TEMPLE, TX, - February 3, 2010 - Given the events in recent days involving the First Baptist Church, the current facilities on Third and Barton are unusable. All contiguous buildings not burned by the fire, suffered extensive water and smoke damage. The building that housed the Child Development Center (CDC) is unusable for childcare purposes at this time due to heavy smoke and water damage. State regulations only allow a child care facility to be inoperable for up to three months. It is very unlikely that the CDC will be able to reoccupy the building within that time frame.

This requires that the Child Development Center cease operations indefinitely. Employees of the Center were informed on Tuesday, February 2. Dr. Martin Knox, pastor of First Baptist Church, comments, "This is a difficult and painful decision. We understand that it lays off 36 people during difficult economic times. That is a hard decision to make." Efforts are underway for church leaders to assist employees and families in this transition. Knox continues, "Workforce Solutions has already met with these employees to assist them in steps toward finding new jobs."

The CDC was begun September 1, 1969 as a day care and Kindergarten. It was begun to meet the needs of families in our communities and this purpose has been fulfilled.

"I have been director at the Center for eleven and a half years. I will be lost without our children and parents. There is nothing more beautiful than to hear a child laugh and to have a child hug me. That will be deeply missed," says Carolyn Gunter, Director. "We are attempting to help families find childcare who have not yet placed their child in another center." The Center was serving 110 children.

If you would like an interview regarding this decision, Dr. Martin Knox, Pastor of the First Baptist Church will be available at "The Edge", the church's youth building on the corner of Main and Barton at 11:30 a.m. this morning. This will be the only time he is available for interviews today.