FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The Greater Progressive Baptist Church presented a plan for a new church and an educational facility aimed at empowering families in Fort Wayne's low-income neighborhoods, according to The News-Sentinel.

The new 70,000-square-foot facility includes sanctuary seating for 1,200, classrooms and office space. A non-profit group, Regional Equipping Center, will offer services there including: adult education, mentoring and job-skills programs for low-income families.

The center would also include 30 classrooms, a computer lab, child and senior day care centers and a nursery school. A creative arts and banquet hall will also house a soup kitchen.

The center would target groups in surrounding neighborhoods who are the most vulnerable and at-risk: single mothers, young black men, the homeless, habitual criminals, the underemployed, abused children and adults, the elderly and recovering addicts.

According to church administrator, Rosetta Russell, the plan calls for the church to lease space from the center.The church is now in the process of raising funds for the project. The plans await approval from a Fort Wayne planning commission.

Another area church, New Covenant Worship Center, is actually an outgrowth of a similarly used community center, the Primetime Community Center. The center works with at-risk and disadvantaged youths in the area. New Covenant held its first services June 20.