Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1113868
To date, New Water has invested $2.3 million in a 10,000-square-foot main lodge that sleeps 40 people, with a commercial kitchen and covered patio; a three- room guesthouse; a 200-seat chapel; a two-bedroom bunkhouse; an equipment barn and beach. A five-year plan includes another lodge, cabins and an outdoor classroom. "Steve had a vision to take what was a daily reminder of the destruction caused by the tornado outbreak and turn it into a place of hope on the banks of Alabama Power's Lake Martin," said Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, and a friend of Duncan who has visited the facility. "New Water Farms became that place — a place where the community could come together in times of celebration and times of renewal." e vision for New Water Farms started with Harmon and Duncan, who were involved at the time with e3 Partners, a Plano, Texas-based ministry focused on sending missionaries and teams worldwide for medical missions and planting. e original idea was to have a rural camp setting to promote discipleship training. Duncan said among the biggest difference-makers were people like Richard Woods of Con-Site Services, a demolition and land-clearing company in Alabaster, who volunteered to remove destroyed trees and vegetation from the camp for the price of fuel. Many volunteers worked alongside the board of directors in the original cleanup and renovation as well as construction. "It would have taken an incredible expense to clean it up and rebuild," Duncan said. But they did. "Like a phoenix, New Water Ministries has risen from the ashes," said Rhett Hanks, team leader for Alabama Power's Shoreline Management Office at Lake Martin. "ey've taken what could have been an unsightly eyesore and transformed it into what has become a great addition to the Lake Martin community." "Our view for this place is for it to be a place you can refresh your heart and experience God through multiple ministries and worship opportunities," Duncan said. "Our mission is teaching, training and transforming." 26 | 2019 Vol: 1