By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
March 9, 2001
WAYNESBORO The old Wal-Mart building has belonged to the city of Waynesboro for a week, and it's already been scheduled for a major event.
The city paid $688,000 to purchase the building and surrounding property. That deal became final last Friday. This summer, construction will begin to move the public library into it, along with a museum of local history and a permanent stage and seating area.
But before that, it will be the site of a youth crusade April 8-11. Nationally-known evangelist Ken Freeman and the Christian group "Among Thorns" will be there all four nights.
Wood said the crusade is a community-wide effort sponsored by businesses and churches. He added local youth groups will be working in the next couple of weeks to clean up the building and erect a stage. Coordinating the effort is Trent Murphy, youth director for Liberty Baptist Church.
Large crowds are expected every night. Wood said a youth group from Virginia has already made reservations and plans to come to Waynesboro to hear "Among Thorns."
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.