Build-A-Cross: A Division of Freedom Challenge Ministries
In 2004, Jim Brent began a discipleship program called Freedom Challenge under the direction of the church he pastors. This ministry is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men and women who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction and leading them to Christ. Pastor Jim had a vision to help addicts by teaching them the love of God in order for them to surrender their former lifestyle and develop a relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Because the ministry does not receive any funding from students' families or the government, we rely solely on donations and fundraisers. Starting out, the ministry received support in many different ways in which students mowed lawns, cleaned houses, and even had fundraisers such as selling chicken and fish plates.
It wasn't until Wal-Mart opened its doors to allow the ministry to receive charitable donations that our ministry began to grow financially. This new avenue of approach (Storefronts) allowed our students to share their testimony to the public. As we continued the storefronts, students began giving back to those who would give donations by handing out crosses.
A couple of years later, the business Build-A-Cross was created with the purpose to fully support this ministry by donating all sales to Freedom Challenge. Build-A-Cross opened its first store in Canton, TX, at the First Monday Trade Days market in the summer of 2010.
As of today, we are blessed that this business and ministry has grown in so many ways. We have increased equipment as well as developed a large variety of products. We even have several former graduates of the program who are working full-time for the business.
We thank everyone so much for your charity and continued support in the mission God has called us to.
