Updated Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Hollifield broadens outlook

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

CONOVER - Purchased as an unpolished gem in 2000, Hollifield Leadership Center usage grew as a training site for the Baptist State Convention's (BSC) Christian coaching initiative and Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) process.

Now with coaching getting less emphasis from BSC leaders and Lilley Endowment funding for the SPE process ending, Hollifield's director is widening the center's reach.

Bill Copper, director at Hollifield, said the staff is working with the BSC's church health team to feature leadership classes at Hollifield. Plans call for seven to 10 courses to be offered two to three times a year, he said.

Hollifield leaders are also hoping to host meetings of the BSC's church planting team, according to Copper.

The two new initiatives represent the two types of events typically held at Hollifield.

The center provides several areas of programming to individuals, similar to those offered in conjunction with the church health team. Training for coaches is perhaps the most well known, but Hollifield also simulcasts events through the Church Communication Network and offers computer application courses.

"In the programs we offer, our theme is leadership development," Copper said.

Hollifield also hosts events for groups that come with their own programs, similar to the church planting meetings. These include church choir and church staff retreats and constitute most of the center's weekend business.

Copper said one distinction between Hollifield and other facilities is the age of those participating. Hollifield is an adult only center.

The BSC bought what is now Hollifield from Duke Power Co. in 2000. The center is named for Wyndolyn Royster Hollifield, the lead donor for the purchase.

Duke Power originally opened the facility in 1959 on a peninsula near the dam that created Lake Hickory.

The center's main campus contains a dozen buildings on 16 acres virtually surrounded by the lake. Fourteen more acres nearby have auxiliary services and space for future expansion. A 3/4-mile walking trail goes around the main campus.

The facility offers campus wide wireless Internet access, a 24- station computer lab and sleeping rooms for about 60.

When Hollifield opened, BSC leaders noted that is located within 100 miles of 43 N.C. Baptist associations, 2,000 churches and 700,000 N.C. Baptists.