Family Promise of New Rock’s prayers have been answered in the nick of time. New Life in Christ Baptist Church in Conyers recently committed to become the 13th and final congregation in the interfaith hospitality network – the magic number needed to officially launch a local arm of the national syndicate.

FPNR’s Tim Carey said the news couldn’t have come at a better time. The group was in jeopardy of losing a $10,000 grant from the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church if not established by Sept. 1.

Nearly two years after discussions of the network first began, the needed number of congregations is in place and churches will begin hosting homeless families in November.

Each church plays host once per quarter and provides nightly family-style meals. Among the concept’s many features is keeping families intact and giving a hands-on outreach opportunity to volunteers.

Families will rotate congregations on a weekly basis spending their evenings at the churches while receiving direct help and counseling by the network’s director to secure more permanent housing and employment by day. Their base will be a day center at Phoenix Pass transitional housing in Light House village.

The national average length of stay is 65 days in Family Promise.

Rockdale Baptist Church will be the inaugural host with Epiphany Lutheran, St. Pius X Catholic church, Smyrna Presbyterian, Conyers First UMC, Life Church, First Baptist, Conyers Presbyterian, Trinity Baptist, Rockdale Alliance Church, Milstead Baptist and Allen Memorial UMC in Oxford joining them in subsequent weeks.

For more information, visit www.familypromiseofnewrock.org or call (678)413-4025.