The Beginning Of The Realization Of A Vision

The Laymen Brotherhood Second Chance Outreach Center, Inc. was started by Rev. Adren Bivins, Sr. and his wife, Sylvia J. Bivins. This vision was given by the Lord to help young males who had discipline problems or those who just needed a mentor before getting into trouble. Most of the young men that are the target group of The Laymen Brotherhood come from broken homes and/or from families without a father figure in the home.

This ministry was started in the home of the Bivins' where they opened up their doors to at-risk youth that needed help and a place to stay temporarily. They Bivins' have two sons of their own who are now in college, but felt an ongoing need to reach out to their surrounding community.

The driving belief behind the Bivins' dream is that love starts at home first, then spreads outward to others. The Bivins home has been shelter to young males as young as seven years of age and as old as nineteen years of age. Residents of the Bivins home are provided hot meals, clothing, shelter, discipline, and spiritual mentoring.

Services Are Expanded

In July 2007, Rev. Bivins addressed the Decatur County Board of Commissioners about a meeting place for these young men. The outreach ministry extended from their home to a local church annex, the Bainbridge Church of God, where Pastor Daniel Tomberlin heard the plea of Rev. Bivins. Pastor Tomberlin offered the use of the church's annex to hold meetings every first, second, and third Sunday from 3:00 P.M. to 5:30 P.M.

Finally, in September of 2007, with the blessing of a physical building in which to meet, the ministry began to be able to offer a full range of services - things like bible study, one-on-one mentoring or counseling, motivational speakers, man-to-man talks, recreational basketball, hot meals, refreshments, and more.

The ministry also began to be able to provide clothes, school supplies, bibles, food baskets, and personal items when available and the need presents itself. These services are open to all races that are in need of help and are always free of charge. Donations are accepted and are tax deductible per 501c(3) status.

In 2010, through a financial blessing received by the organization, The Laymen Brotherhood Second Chance Outreach Ministry was able to fund its new website as an extension of its ministry. Rev. Bivins and Sylvia sincerely hope that the website will be one more avenue to help reach the many young men that are in need of spiritual guidance in the world that we live in.