When the construction of Mission Ministry Faith Center began in 2009, Pastor Fannie Dean knew the church would one day include the piece of land adjacent to her property. To her, it was in God’s plans.

Now, Dean is asking for the community’s help to secure the 3.4 acres of land that are owned by the city of Oak Harbor so she can turn her dream of opening a multipurpose center offering free services to people in need into a reality.

The property is located south of the church, which sits at 1751 Goldie Road in Oak Harbor. Dean had been eyeing the property for some time, expressing her interest at various city council meetings. At the time, she said, the city told her they would let her know if the property was up for sale.

Last spring she inquired again, learning that she only had 11 days to come up with a bid. According to Magi Aguilar, the city’s communications officer, the new mayor and city administrator were not aware of the promise of providing advance notice due to the change in administration.

Dean offered $312,000, winning the bid. Since then, Aguilar said, City Administrator Sabrina Combs has had several meetings with Dean to assist her.

”It is exciting to work with community partners on projects like this one,” Aguilar wrote in an email.

After a successful fundraising campaign for the construction of the church 15 years ago, Dean is confident the community will once again come through. Back then, many thought she was crazy, but were proved wrong when the church — and first Black-owned commercial building in the city — opened its doors in 2019.

Once the deal is sealed, the church will begin the construction of a building that will house an “overnight crisis support” center where victims of domestic violence can safely spend the night, as well as rooms where professionals can offer some of their free time to provide free mental health and financial counseling to low-income and uninsured community members.

Nicole Rice, a minister at the church, wrote in an email that the multipurpose center embodies the church’s mission to restore and heal (God’s) people.

“Pastor Dean has seen the impact that access to resources like housing support, health insurance sign up, and mental health services can have on the community, and she wants to help boost that mission,” she wrote.

The building will also include a large commercial kitchen, which can be used to prepare meals if the community is in need, Dean said.

To make a donation, visit missionministry.org or donate to 360-279-9330.

“Let’s make this happen,” she said.