Addressing Poverty, Violence and Health Inequalities in Montgomery
By: Maya Thompson
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Strong Tower at Washington Park Church, nestled in the heart of the troubled Washington Park neighborhood in Montgomery, is on a mission to bring positive change to the community plagued by violence, prostitution, drugs and poverty.
Through a diverse array of transformative programs and annual initiatives, the church is diligently striving to serve as a symbol of hope and rejuvenation within the Washington Park neighborhood of Montgomery.
The church actively engages in community outreach efforts, with a recent event specifically targeting college-aged adults.
The Real Talk College Ministry recently concluded an evangelism training program on September 22-23, in partnership with student ministries from Auburn University at Montgomery, Auburn University, Alabama State University, and Tuskegee University.
Over the course of this two-day event, attendees received instruction in evangelism techniques from campus ministers. Subsequently, they were given the chance to apply their newfound knowledge by engaging with fellow college students and sharing their faith on the campus of Alabama State University on the following Saturday.
Real Talk College Ministry students will volunteer with Mercy House on Oct. 14 from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mercy House is a day shelter located at 2412 Council St., which provides access to food, clothing, shower facilities, and laundry washing. The church will provide volunteers to help fill gaps from distributing food to cleaning up facilities.
According to statistical data, roughly 36 percent of the residents in Washington Park are living below the poverty line, and the average household income in the area stands at $37,699. Additionally, the Washington Park community faces limited access to grocery stores.
The church works diligently to ensure it is meeting the needs of the community throughout the year.
Each spring, the church hosts a prominent annual dental clinic as one of its signature events. In collaboration with Health Equity Partners, the North American Mission Board, dentists from Maxwell Air Force Base, Medical Outreach Ministries, and the River Region United Way, the church offers complimentary dental services to local community members.
During the three-day 2023 event, both church and community volunteers collectively contributed 243 hours of service to provide essential dental care services, which encompassed tooth extractions, fillings, cleanings, and X-rays. Notably, some residents traveled distances of 30 to 40 miles to access this crucial assistance.
Statistics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham show that as of January 2022, the state of Alabama averaged just 41 dentists per 100,000, the lowest number in the nation. In comparison, the national average stood at 61 dentists per 100,000 residents. These figures underscore the significant disparity in access to dental services, particularly in underserved communities throughout the state.
“Over the course of three days, $27,733 was the total value of free dental services provided for community members through collaboration of Health Equity partners Strong Tower at Washington Park,
the North American Mission Board, Maxwell Air Force Base Dentist, Medical Outreach Ministries, the River Region United Way, and countless volunteers/ community partners,” said Zach Beasley, Real Talk campus minister and leader in the dental clinic. “We had 42 volunteers serving 243 hours of their time to provide free dental care. This enabled us to care for 65 patients.”
Beasley shared a touching quote from a grateful beneficiary, “I got my retainer when I was 12-13 years old, and now, I am 25 years old. Today, the dentist taught me how to floss properly. Now that I know how to floss correctly, I expect my gums to get better. Thank you for taking care of me today!”
The church’s dedication to making a difference in the community is evident through a multitude of programs in addition to the ones mentioned, including:
● Strong Tower’s Men’s Ministry: This program focuses on cultivating leadership and faithfulness among men, aiming to provide positive role models for the community.
● MOSAIC Women’s Ministry: Empowering women from diverse backgrounds, MOSAIC brings together women to find common ground and purpose while celebrating their unique strengths.
● Youth Ministry (iENGAUGE): Open to children aged 6-18, this ministry provides a safe space for young individuals to grow in their faith and stand firm on gospel truths.
● College Ministry (Real Talk): Targeting students at Alabama State and Tuskegee University, Real Talk hosts Bible studies and fellowship opportunities, spreading the gospel on campuses.
● Residential Discipleship Program (Fishers Farm): Strong Tower’s commitment to breaking the chains of addiction and homelessness is evident through Fishers Farm, which offers life-on-life discipleship, counseling, and more to those in need.
Melanee Dismukee, a member of the church and a leader in the MOSAIC women’s ministry, said, “The mission of the church and its intentional diversity have been game changers for me. And I see it lived out in Mosaic. I have a more diverse group sister group, with whom I live out life. So, there is a diversity of relationships that extends past Sunday morning – g. Diverse in age as well as ethnicity.”
The Strong Tower at Washington Park Church serves as both a place of worship and a catalyst for change within Montgomery’s Washington Park community. Through its diverse programs and yearly endeavors such as the dental clinic, the church is actively creating a concrete influence on the well-being of local residents. It provides hope, healing, and the teachings of Christianity to a community in need of such support.
For more information about the church, email stadmin@strongtowerawp.com or call 334-593-5646.