GREENVILLE, S.C. - Redemption World Outreach Center (RWOC) hosted the grand opening of a new state of the art health and fitness center last week.  The Imagine Center is the church's latest ministry outreach to the Greenville community.

“Imagine a first-class, affordable fitness facility that also helps reduce crime, takes kids off the streets, offers midnight basketball, helps restore and renew bodies and families, all in a family environment no matter what level of life people are on," said RWOC Senior Pastor Ron Carpenter in a press release to local media.  "Buildings never fix things, but they can facilitate the programs and Ministry to grow people. I’ll never use people to build buildings, but we’ll forever use buildings to build people.”

The 55,000 square foot facility has three full-size basketball courts, workout areas, and a resturant.  Expected membership to the new fitness center is estimated at 4,000.  Many outreach sports and youth activities are already taking place.

The center also helped boost a sagging economy in Greenville.  Members of RWOC who had previously lost employment were hired to work at the Imagine Center.  The center created 54 full-time jobs for area residents.

"This Imagine Center is a vital Stewardship program - being good stewards of the body God has given us," said Rev. Ed Wood, executive director of IPHC Stewardship Ministries.

To learn more about the Imagine Center, visit RWOC's website here.

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