Goulds Community to get New High School
Renowned Pastor to be honored
Government and religious leaders will join Grace of God Baptist Church Pastor Mark Coats Sr., Charter Schools USA, and other church and community members to officially kick-off its building construction program. The Charter School, which is the first phase of the building project, phase II being the sanctuary/wellness center, will be named and dedicated in honor of one who was recognized across the country as a “Spiritual Giant” in the Christian community.
Although construction has already begun, the official groundbreaking will take place at the Dr. Joseph Coats Sr. Grace Charter School, located at 226th Terrace & SW 112thAvenue in the Goulds Community on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 10:00am.
Dr. Joseph Coats Sr., Pastor Marks Coats’ father, was pastor of Glendale Baptist Church for more than 30 years, where he fostered and promoted love and companion for all mankind, regardless of one’s race or nationality. Dr. Coats served on many Boards and committees: moderator of the Florida Baptist Convention; President of Pastor’s Conference of the Miami Baptist Association; member of the State Board of Missions; Children’s Home Board; a member of the Trustee Board for Baptist Hospital and was known nationally for leading conferences across the United States and Virgin Islands, to include numerous workshops on Christian Education and Church Growth. Miami-Dade County honored him by naming a portion of SW 117th Avenue, “Dr. Joseph Coats Avenue”.
The Charter School will house more than 800 students in grades from 6th to 12th. It also sits next to a planned community park. The School is being built and will be managed by Charter Schools USA.
“My dad”, says Pastor Mark Coats, “touched the lives of many individuals during his lifetime. Many of them were young, even children. He was committed to the total development of individuals, spiritually as well as educationally, and big on developing interracial harmony. Glendale Academy always had a waiting list because of its sound teachings. It was my desire that this become another means of continuing to nurture what my dad and my mentor planted long ago.”
The Charter School will also house continuing Education programs in the evening and will also be used for Grace of God Baptist Church ministries on the weekends.
For more Information, please contact David Alexander at 786-205-1021 or Pastor Mark Coats at 786-236-4466 or 305-259-1929.
