Jan Kiel and Lisa Pein saw the refurbished building at 927 Fourth St. in downtown Columbus in July when it was at its worst: weary looking and needing restoration. They sometimes see those seeking their help and the staff’s counseling help understandably hoping for a similar restoration. In fact, the pair themselves see everyone, including themselves, needing a measure of that at one time or another.
And now the once-dilapidated structure has been given a bright new life to help St. Peter’s Lutheran Church’s intensive outpatient counseling clients have much of the same.
The church recently dedicated its new 3,000-square-foot Life|Works House. Though outside painting and other work still may be done, a public open house is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 21.
The renovation work, done by both volunteers and professionals and estimated at well into six figures, began July 27 when the structure was gutted, according to organizers. The St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Foundation covered the costs as a gift to the church, but, to be good financial stewards, organizers have used nearly all donated furniture.
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“The past six months (during the reconstruction), what’s been on my heart is how much the building itself is a metaphor for what happens in the lives of people who are now coming here,” said Kiel, director of the Life|Works program offering support and counseling ranging from addictions to marital and family issues. “It’s a reminder for each of us about getting rid of all the stuff that is not helpful so there can be a transformation anew.
“So this building is a symbol for each of our lives. We sort through and leave behind what hinders us, and discover and claim more of who we were originally designed to be.”
The Rev. Mark Teike, senior pastor, blessed the building on Jan. 27 by proclaiming over it Jesus’ words from John 10:10: “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly.”
Moments before Kiel spoke, she and Pein, the manager of Life|Works’ intensive outpatient program, had walked visitors through the modernly and creatively decorated home-like office, complete with comfortable couches and more. One softly lit counseling room featured a large, artsy wall hanging with Scripture from Joshua 1:9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The structure is especially significant partly as another tool and resource in the community’s fight against opioid addiction. About half the clients in Life|Works are being treated by professionally trained staff for addictions to alcohol or drugs.
And the program, while a ministry of the church for several years, treats clients regardless of faith, no faith, or other factors. In fact, staff even works with those needing help to get insurance coverage for needed treatment. Life|Works will soon be able to bill Medicaid and other insurance for clients seeking counseling or recovery.
“This is like a dream,” Pein said of the building, sitting in the group counseling room with a circle of a dozen chairs. “Seeing it come to life again to become such a nice space is great.”
Pein knows about those with addictions coming to life again, too. She frequently has publicly shared her own story of overcoming addiction to turn the tables and now work to help others. Pein’s daughter, Lauren Eads, recently joined the Life|Works staff as a recovery coach along with a staff of seven counselors housed in the refurbished structure.
Before the staff moved into the new space, they were using “borrowed” rooms meant for other ministries at the nearly church building. “We had outgrown our space,” Kiel said.
She added that the mission of the Life|Works House is a part of the overall purpose of St. Peter’s.
“We want to be a natural extension of God’s heart to this community for the transformation of lives,” Kiel said, “and the growth of God’s kingdom.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”About the Life|Works House” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Part of: The intesive outpatient counseling ministry of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
Where: 927 Fourth St. in downtown Columbus, near the church at 719 Fifth St.
Size: About 3,000 square feet.
Building renovation: Six months, with expenses covered by the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Foundation.
Work investment: The Life|Works staff logs more than 5,000 hours total each year while helping individual clients and families.
To support the work: Click the donate button at stpeterscolumbus.org/ or send a check to the church at 719 Fifth St., Columbus IN 47201.
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