Progress and rebirth of a community
Hunts plan on taking eyesore, build new sanctuary, center
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr ONE LESS WORRY for the city is the answer to Todd and Stina Hunt's prayers.The Short Stop store and metal buildings that were already slated for demolition even before Hurricane Rita will be resurrected as a new church with the help of faithful workers from all over the country.

The city of Jasper has one less condemned property worry about, Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson reported recently.

The Short Stop on East Gibson and the ramshackle buildings behind it were posted last fall as hazardous structures and slated for demolition by city crews when time and weather permitted.

"The structure will be coming down without the use of taxpayer dollars," Williamson said.

Actually, pastors Todd and Stina Hunt of the Looking Up Ministries say they hope to salvage as much as possible.

They are in the process of buying the property to eventually build a new sanctuary, recording studio and youth center.

Todd Hunt is a 1980 Jasper High School graduate who met his wife in college in West Texas.

Together they began assisting with ministries and singing with the West Texas Gospel Singers.

"I grew up in the Independent Quarters," Hunt said, "That's what they called this area around the Short Stop."

He remembered stopping at the little store on his way home, and also recalled when there was a fish market there and a skating rink.

Todd and Stina Hunt can already visualize the new structures they expect to build.

"I want to take this eyesore and beautify it and make people want to be a part of it," Todd Hunt said.

"We want the entrance cattycorner so people arriving from the east are drawn in," Stina Hunt said. "We also hope to raise the roof high enough for a balcony."

The Hunt family spent 18 years working in Amarillo and Albuquerque, N.M. Todd worked as a photo-journalist doing documentaries for NBC, and Stina is a school teacher, but they both continued their church work and became ordained ministers.

"We've were helping others with their ministries, but eight years ago the Lord told us it was our time," Stina Hunt said. When they returned to Jasper, they first held services in their own home, and then for the last several years they have used the Lions Club community building.

"Now we believe God is going to send people from all over the country to help our vision come to pass," Todd Hunt said.

Stina Hunt said they have already heard from numerous friends in Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith.

They have roofers and carpenters and construction workers lined up to come from Michigan, Phoenix and all over the country.

Easter resurrection services will have special meaning for the congregation this year.

"This building has been dead for a long time, but just as Christ was resurrected, our job is to help people in this area resurrect hope and celebrate dreams every day," Todd Hunt said.

They don't at this point know where or how all the money and materials will arrive to complete their vision, but they seem sure it will be provided in time.