When Sarah and I started visiting Rock Hill before we moved here, the old Federal Post Office and Courthouse, known as the Gettys Art Center (Gettys) was a backdrop to the arts community. An FDR era building constructed during the Great Depression, the building has a unique history and design.

It’s a beautiful building. In the first two years of our ministry through Friday Arts Project we had several large events in the building that helped establish us in the arts community. We worked in the building in a shared space, and now—years later—we have our own studio and run one of the galleries in the Gettys—further building integrity with the arts community.

The building has been used as an arts space since the City of Rock Hill bought it from the US Government in 1987. By the time we moved to Rock Hill the art community’s presence in the Gettys was closing on 30 years.

Two weeks ago, the city informed the art community that it was selling the building for a very low price—a price meant to sell quickly. This has been an incredible blow to the artists in our community. The very heart—some here have called it the “soul” of Rock Hill—may disappear. Though there is discouragement, determination is equally present, and we along with other artists are rallying to attempt to preserve the building for the arts—including speaking in front of the city council during their monthly meeting (see photo above). I can’t tell you how much being in that space has contributed to our work with this art community. The thought of it disappearing would dramatically change the way we do ministry.

Pray.

First, for us to be in God’s will amid this. We want to follow Jesus’ exhortation to be “as wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves”.

Second, pray that God would preserve the Gettys in a renewed way for the arts in Rock Hill, especially since we minister to this same group.

Third, pray for our interactions with those who are with us and those who stand in opposition (some of them are brothers in Christ). Sarah and I have seen a dramatic rise in our interactions with people that we have been praying for a long time. That has certainly been a wonderful blessing.

Lastly, pray that in the middle of this Sarah and I keep rested. We feel very directed by God even more now, but don’t want to lose ourselves and our relationship with God in the deluge of actions. The moment has added quite a bit of activity and pressure to an already full schedule.

Regardless of the path, we know God promises to be with us.

Blessings-