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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Esther Hobbs
713.494.3572 or estherhobbs@att.net
A Pastor Transforms a Pasture to Serve and Build Pride
In southwest Houston, a new city is rising from what was pure pasture land in the heart of one of the city's more undeserved and underdeveloped areas.
The vision of Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, at no profit to him, has created a 234-acre, multigenerational development that includes affordable housing for those who could never have experienced homeownership, free medical care for their children through a partnership with Texas Children's Hospital, the first YMCA built in a low-income minority community in Houston in more than 50 years, high-tech, state-of-the-art elementary school for underprivileged children, luxury affordable apartments for seniors, a 191,000 sq. ft. family community center and much more.
"How can you invite people into the church and talk to them about being saved if they are hungry, if they do not have a job, or are homeless—if they do not have the basics," says Caldwell. "I think that the Bible speaks very clearly about not only improving the lives of individuals but also improving the communities in which individuals live."
His answer was to take the sanctuary to the streets and build a community where people could not just survive but have a quality of life they would not otherwise have. And he's succeeding. It's a success story that has not been done by a non-profit and one that can be duplicated in other parts of the country.
Caldwell offered potential home buyers education courses and formed a mortgage arm so they could get mortgage loans. Today all 462-homes are sold and none are in foreclosure, over half of the homes are designated as low-income housing, but because of the high quality of the homes and neighborhood, no one would ever know it. The African-Americans and Latino families living in the community are creating their own successes.
"It was a real journey for me," said Rochelle, one of the homeowners. "I never believed I could own a home but Pastor taught me the importance of home ownership and that I could do it. He made it possible for me to get into my home for only $100 at closing and I have successfully kept my home for over 6 years now. I'm a young African-American woman who was discouraged by everyone except for my Pastor and my church."
Today, Caldwell's vision includes:
- 462-home, affordably priced, quality residential subdivision
- 121-unit, affordably priced, seniors apartment project
- YMCA, that was the first Y built in a minority community in Houston in the past 50 years
- commercial amenities to serve the community like CVS, Walgreens, McDonald's, Taco Bell, TSO, Dental Clinic, etc.
- pediatric medical facility through a partnership with Texas Children's Hospital that treats children regardless of insurance or the parents ability to pay
- 750-plus student, state-of-the-art, elementary school
- 191,000 sq. ft. family life center that addresses the social, spiritual, educational, emotional, relational and cultural development of children, youth, adults and families in SW Houston
- and there is more to come including a major art project to be installed on the land and funded entirely by the City of Houston; he is also planning a prayer center and new sanctuary.
To date the cost is over $175 million, but Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell was able to raise the money, thanks to his own church family generosity, loans, private donor organizations, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Tax Increment Investment Zone Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ) money. He's using the same savvy that helped him turn a congregation of 25 into the largest Methodist church in the nation with over 16,000 members.
As a former Wall Streeter, Caldwell preaches not only the Word of God but also good business practices to his congregation, which he has applied to other major community development efforts. It's all made him realize how much more he and the Windsor Village Family could do for those in need of assistance to help them reach their full potential in life.
One of Texas' most powerful businessmen, Caldwell is an advocate for so many beyond the church walls. In addition to non-profit boards, he serves on the corporate boards of Continental Airlines, Amegy Bank and the Greater Houston Partnership. He, offered the official benediction at Bush's 2005 Inauguration, officiated at the wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager and now is one of five religious advisors to President Obama.
Caldwell is married to Pastor Suzette Caldwell, the older sister of Debbye Turner, who was Miss America in 1990. They have three children.
