Local News
Youth Force Ministries moving to new location
WARRIOR — Rapid growth at a church in Warrior has forced it to find a new home.
Youth Force Ministries Church International (YFMCI) will be moving part of its congregation from Louisa Street to 430 Thomas St. in Warrior.
The first service in the new location is Feb. 14.
The church bought the former Farmers Gin and Tractor building and surrounding 9.2 acres. Crews have been renovating the facility to transform it into a place of worship.
“Anybody that’s been in there wouldn’t know it on the inside,” said Robin Bullock. “It’s really unique.”
Bullock and his wife, also named Robin Bullock, founded Youth Force and Church International in the 1980s. Together they make up YFMCI.
“It’s a broad ministry,” Bullock said. “We started Youth Force in the late ’80s, then the church part of it kept growing. Adults kept coming and kept coming.”
The Bullocks took Church International to Warrior three years ago when they moved there from Nashville.
Their Christian country music group Twice Robin had just been inducted into the Alabama Country Music Hall of Fame. The Bullocks were ready to settle down after being on the road for 30 years doing music and ministry.
“Now we’re putting everything the Lord has blessed us with to use as keys to open doors and branch out ministry that will really change lives,” Bullock said. “It’s a noble vision. It’s a God-given vision. We’ve been working at it a long time, but it’s worth it.”
Church International has been meeting in the Youth Force building. The female Robin Bullock is the church’s pastor.
When the church moves to Thomas Street, Youth Force will remain in its current location at 137 Louisa Street.
The Bullocks have more changes in store, however. Located on the new property are two houses and another “old gin building.”
Bullock said this summer, crews will convert the building into a new Youth Force center.
He said the new property is large enough to eventually have outdoor concerts and other large-scale events.
When that happens, Bullock said, the church plans to turn the current Youth Force facility into a “full-fledged coffee house” that will be open to the public.
Bullock envisions live music at the coffee shop on weekends and providing a place for teens and adults to “come and hang out during the day.”
The ministry is also in talks with a company to have ministry broadcasts shown internationally, including in Israel, where Youth Force is already doing work.
“Before you know it, there will be a global spotlight shining on Warrior,” Bullock said.
Bullock said the City of Warrior, including Mayor Rena Hudson, the police department and the fire department, have always given strong support to Youth Force.
“Warrior has been on our hearts for 20 years,” Bullock said. “We just really believe the city can grow to be something special.”
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