05-05-2025
Panama City church celebrates mortgage debt payoff milestone
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – At United First Methodist Church Panama City the mood was nothing short of joyful.
The congregation and community came together to highlight the final mortgage payment on the church's $3.3 million Community Life Center. A debt that they've had for over a decade.
From youth sports and town meetings to Saturday morning breakfast for the homeless, the center has long served as a hub for outreach and support since the early 2000's.
It proved to be more than just a place to gather for worship; during Hurricane Michael, it served as a center for crisis.
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'This building was standing, and all of our operations moved here, and we were able to distribute supplies to those in need in our community, and also hosted meetings for those who are city leaders to come and gather to discuss recovery plans. And during that same time, all of our operations for our offices were here. So, this has really been a vital part of our mission and ministry. And we are grateful to be debt-free today,' senior minister Jeremy Pridgeon said.
On Sunday, the congregation celebrated with a note burning ceremony to mark more than just the end of a mortgage, but the beginning of a new chapter free from debt and full of many churchgoers, the community life center has made a tremendous impact on their lives.
'It's welcoming. I've made a lot of friends here, and I like the worship here too. It's been life-changing for me. I've gotten closer to God, and I've been able to play sports here. That's where I first started playing volleyball, so it's just really special to me,' Maren Freeman said.
Church officials say there are additional phases of the Community Life Center they may undertake. However, for now, they are celebrating the 15-year journey that has come to an end.
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