Turning Point Worship Center, located on Highway 15-501, in Hoke County, chose to build members a new home after they learned the family was living in a 10 x 20 storage building. Rex Poindexter’s home was destroyed by fire in 2013.
Pastor Stoney Locklear said the church had been considering helping a children’s hospital before they decided to help.
“We didn’t know they were living in the storage building. We saw the situation. They were taking showers outside, and the Lord spoke to us. Charity begins at home,” Locklear said about Project Hope: Making a House a Home. “Brother Randy Henderson was the backbone. He said that he’d oversee the project.” The home is located in Aberdeen.
The new home has vinyl siding and a metal roof and landscaping has begun.
But when COVID-19 ruined plans for church volunteers to help with construction, Henderson Construction used its manpower and expertise to complete the home. Jade Builders owned by Jeff Manning donated siding and painting, and 4H Construction also donated to the construction. Proscapes owned by Tommy Scarboro donated landscaping.
There was no special offering collected at Turning Point Worship Center. The church adopted the billing as a monthly bill and “the Lord made it happen,” Locklear said.
They set the budget at $25,000 to $30,000, and they were right at $30,000 upon completion.
The new home is 1,665 square feet, is stick built with wood flooring in the living room and kitchen and has carpet and linoleum in other areas.
The home destroyed by fire was Rex’s mother’s home and where he and his wife Diane lived.
“It burned down on a Friday the thirteenth,” Diane Poindexter said. “We had a wood stove, and Rex put in fresh wood, got ready for the turkey shoot, put the dogs up and went out to eat. I got a call from Dad and thought he was joking and hung up when he said my house was on fire. He was always joking.”
There were 11 fire trucks at the residence when the couple returned.
“It was ugly,” she said.
Diane was recuperating from open-heart surgery and then had to have cataract surgery right before their new home was completed. “I can’t do much anymore. Rex does it all, the cooking, everything. I feel so blessed. I really am,” Diane said.
Audrey Utley, who attended Pinecrest High School with Diane Poindexter, looks out the new bedroom window with her. (Diane is wearing the mask)
Right after the fire, Rex got a five-year land loan. They paid it off in less than five years, but when he needed another land loan, the bank said that they didn’t do that kind any longer. “This is God’s work,” Diane said.
Feature photo: Homeowner Rex Poindexter cuts the ribbon Sept. 13, 2020 of his new home built by Turning Point Worship Center. Family and church members attended the ceremony, and about 100 people attended.
Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Journalism Intern Stephanie M. Sellers.
