New Life Evangelistic Center to open free store, homeless outreach center in Cape

The New Life Evangelistic Center isn't waiting for the outcome of a lawsuit over the Cape Girardeau federal building to plant itself on Broadway.

With the help of Cape Girardeau chaplain Terry Wildman, a free store and homeless outreach center will be opening soon. The store, which will be operated mainly by volunteers, will offer its goods free to the poor and on a donation basis for others, Wildman said. There will also be an area where the homeless, or anyone in need, can rest for a while and have a cup of coffee or something to eat, he said.

"We would also like to eventually give them a bed to lay down in as well," Wildman said.

Wildman didn't have a specific date for opening but said he hopes to be in operation in the storefront at 707 Broadway by Thanksgiving.

The New Life Evangelistic Center, led by the Rev. Larry Rice, generated a storm of opposition earlier this year when it sought the federal building at 339 Broadway for use as a homeless shelter and free store. The application was denied by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Rice responded by suing the federal government for control of the building.

The lawsuit stopped, at least for a while, the plans laid by the Cape Girardeau County Commission to purchase the building and move county courts and service offices from the Common Pleas Courthouse. That lawsuit is still pending.

St. Louis attorney Dan Boyle, who represents the New Life Evangelistic Center, said the parties are waiting for U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of Washington, D.C., to either issue a ruling or ask the attorneys for oral arguments.

The lawsuit alleges that the government, influenced by political opposition to Rice's proposal, failed to follow the proper procedures and acted arbitrarily in denying the application.

In July, Kollar-Kotelly ordered the General Services Administration to halt the sale until at least Jan. 1. She also set a schedule for court filings in the case that have all been met, Boyle said. Boyle said that if the judge wants anything, "we will hear from her shortly. Otherwise, I expect a decision by the end of the year."

The GSA did not provide a contact to discuss the government's view of the case by press time.

While Rice's application was pending, civic, church and political leaders from the area arrayed themselves against the proposal. Wildman said he researched Rice on his own and met him in July when New Life Evangelistic Center used Indian Park to showcase its programs.

"The hundreds of people he helps every year outweighs any problems," Wildman said. "We are not going to be 100 percent trouble-free, but his vision and his calling is just what God put in my heart."

Wildman said he approached Rice about setting up the store.

The free store is not an attempt to supplant other charitable thrift stores, Wildman said. It is, he added, designed to fill in gaps in other services.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

339 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

707 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO

Want to help?

The New Life Evangelistic Center will have a telephone operating in the free store and outreach center next week. Call 332-7777.