Center strives to bring denominations together

Two years ago Steven McCollum was driving in his RV to the Christian Country Music Awards in Nashville.

“I heard this voice that said ‘when you get back, I want you to do a building,’” McCollum said.

Feeling strongly about the message he was hearing, McCollum returned to Kansas City and started looking for a building, which he thought would be used to spread the word of God through song. He asked God to slam any doors that weren’t right to fulfill God’s plans.

“And God slammed a lot of doors,” McCollum said.

Now, after two years, McCollum is getting ready to celebrate the grand opening of that vision – The Center for God, Family and Country at 800 N.W. Commerce Drive in Lee’s Summit. The grand opening is slated for.

As McCollum searched for the perfect location, he said the vision became broader as he began to see a real need in area – a community center that allows people of all faiths to come together on common ground.

“God showed me more and more that it was for bringing together all denominations as one in the body of Christ,” McCollum said.

What resulted was the Center for God, Family and Country, a neutral ground where families, adults and children can come together for a range of activities – from country line dancing to talent shows – all in the name of worshipping the Lord. Churches have also partnered together for non-denominational worship services each Sunday.

Eventually McCollum hopes to use the center as a resource to pair individuals with churches.

Likewise, McCollum is hopeful the center can also be useful in restoring one of the founding principles of America – Christianity.

“God in his infinite wisdom chose America to be a Christian nation,” McCollum said. “What we are trying to do is restore our Christian heritage.”