Church to host faith-based fair promoting city home ownership
Church to host faith-based fair promoting city home ownership

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From Staff Reports

Published: June 21, 2008

St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 5700 N Kelley Ave., will play host to the fourth free City-wide Faith-Based Homeownership Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28.

Previous fairs, held in February 2004, 2005 and 2006 under the umbrella of the Oklahoma African American Homeownership Initiative, provided information and resources for potential homeowners seeking to navigate through the home ownership process. This year's event will focus not only on first-time home buyers from all ethnic backgrounds, but will provide information and resources for existing homeowners as well, organizers said.

Local experts, professionals and housing resource providers will provide information at information booths and during a series of workshops. Topics will include Oklahoma City's strong housing market as compared to national trends, avoiding foreclosure, enhancing home resale values, and "moving up” in the housing market.

Information also will be presented on home equity loans, refinancing, reverse mortgages and avoiding housing scams and other questionable practices. Refreshments, door prizes and children's activities will also be provided.

Dr. Major Jemison, senior pastor at St. John, said the fair's previous success came from the cooperation, involvement and support from pastors and congregations throughout the city.

"We're delighted and excited that this year's event will be the first major program to take place in our new 17,000-square-foot classroom space and conference center, and once again we invite pastors and congregations of all denominations to participate with us in this faith-based effort,” he said.

Event sponsors include First Mortgage Co. LLC, Oklahoma City Housing Authority, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, MidFirst Bank, Morgan Keegan and Oppenheim. Exhibit space and sponsorship opportunities are still available; for more information, call Marsha Beatty at the St. John office at 478-1116.

"We're delighted and excited that this year's event will be the first major program to take place in our new 17,000-square-foot classroom space and conference center ... ”

Dr. Major Jemison