Sep 10, 2005 By Jenny Susa 2 min read

After almost a year of planning and implementing, Discipleship Ministries, founded by the Rev. Terry Collins, will officially open the Char-Rose Christian Retreat Center on Sunday at a dedication service. While Collins said the ministry had hoped to open the recreational facility during the summer, circumstances kept them from doing so.

“Because of permits and more work than we expected we just didn’t get it done,” said Collins.

“As the board reflected on the appropriate time to hold the service, Sept. 11 spiritually seemed to be the right day to open since that day in 2001 was so traumatic to us.”

Collins recalled himself and other volunteers being stranded in Moscow as a result of the terrorist attack when they were trying to return home from a mission trip to Russia.

“I think having the official opening on that day could be God’s way of giving us a stamp of approval.”

The retreat center will open at 1 p.m. the day of the event. At 2 p.m., there will be a dedication and healing service, followed by a tour of the hiking trails and a hot dog roast. Visitors are invited to feed the fish in the retreat center’s fishing lake at the conclusion of the event.

Collins advised everyone planning to attend to dress in picnic attire and bring a lawn chair.

He said that he is excitedly anticipating the reaction of his aunt, Rosella McCracken, who donated the property to Discipleship Ministries last year.

“I can’t wait to see her expression because although she has seen pictures, she has not seen the actual work we have done yet,” said Collins. “I pray that God will place peace within her because she will know that her step of faith through God is becoming a reality in her lifetime.”