Yakima Disabled
Access Ramp Project

The Apostolic Faith Church in Yakima, Washington, has been at its present location for over fifty years. The congregation currently has a number of senior members and others with physical challenges, including one woman who uses a motorized wheelchair. The need for a disabled access ramp has become very apparent over the past few years.

 Last July, the pastor of our Yakima church, Reverend Bob Bishop, asked for some physical assistance and practical advice regarding an access ramp for the Yakima church from a few of the men in the Portland, Oregon, congregation. It was decided during the planning process that the best location for the ramp would be at the rear exit of the building.

Beginning Tuesday, September 23, a crew of four men from Portland, one from Seattle, and a few from the local Yakima congregation worked for several days on the project. They began with the demolition and preparation work, and commenced with the concrete work and cleanup on Friday and Saturday. By the end of the project, nine yards of concrete had been poured and over 450 linear feet of reinforcing steel rebar had been placed.

The work crew was able to stay for the Sunday services in Yakima, and their testimonies and special music were a blessing to the congregation, as well as Clark Wolfe’s inspiring sermon on Sunday evening.

The handrail for the disabled access ramp had been ordered before the project was started, and was delivered and installed about two weeks later. The church parking lot was then seal-coated and striped, and tire bumpers were added. When the final inspection was performed, the inspector was amazed at the quality of the finished project, which is a real testimony of the work integrity of the volunteer crew. Since the completion of the ramp, the seniors and those with physical challenges have been using the ramp regularly. They really appreciate the help and time given by the volunteers who did the work, and they are thanking the Lord for His help in providing this added blessing to the Yakima church!