A dedication service for the  Alabama Teen Challenge House of Hope on the corner of Lee and South Main streets in Brundidge was held on Saturday afternoon.

The Rev. Edward Wilson, Alabama Teen Challenge executive director, welcomed  the gathering of supporters of the Alabama Teen Challenge program and those who committed sweat equity to making the House of Hope a reality.

“We celebrated the House of Hope with more than 300 in attendance at the Alabama Teen Challenge House of Hope Banquet in March and several tens of thousands of dollars were raised to support the program,” Wilson said. “But, without Bobby and Mary Poe, the House of Hope would not have been possible.”

Alicia Carroll, House of Hope director, said her life was changed because of her obedience to God.

“He led me to Alabama Teen Challenge and my life was changed,” she said. “Over the years, I have seen the lives of so many others changed and that is the opportunity that the House of Hope will bring to the ladies who are transitioned here.”

Mary Poe gave all the credit for the House of Hope to God.

“Without Him none of this would be possible,” she said. “God can take lives that are in a mess and restore and transform them. These ladies here need hope. We will continue to pray for them and for this house we call Hope.”

Bobby Poe said the House of Hope is also a house filled with love.

“We pray that God will continue to bless this house and the hope that we have for it,” he said. “We are different  parts of the House of Hope. We each have a role that God wants us to play. We also are a body of believers. We believe that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

The Rev. Kenneth Draughon, superintendent of the District Council of the Assemblies of God, said the dedication of the House of Hope was a “Dedication of  a Miracle.”

“Sometimes things go wrong,” Draughon said. “Life does not always go right. People fall and need someone to help them back up, to be set free from bondage. Jesus came to set the captive free. He didn’t come for the perfect. We are not perfect. But God tell us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

Draughon said the ladies, who transition at the House of Hope, will continue to rely upon God for His guidance, His strength, His mercy and his unabiding love.

Draughon said the House of Hope in Brundidge will be a beacon of hope and a place where hope and love abide.

“We dedicate the House of Hope to the Glory of God,” he said. “May God’s presence abide in this house as a place where ladies will find safety and assurance. We will continue to rely upon God for His continual blessings and His hand of mercy. We will forever let this house be a symbol of what He can do to alter the course of those who have gone astray.”