2007
David and Kelly Kaiser and a group of amazing young people were called to Western Avenue Baptist Church, allowing Former Pastor Don Bethan and his wife, Betty, to retire. The Bethans had been faithfully serving the community for twenty years providing love, care, groceries and meals to this impoverished neighborhood in South Toledo. With God’s guidance, the new team has forged ahead with this mission of meeting the community’s spiritual and physical needs.
2008
Crime is a consistent and considerable challenge in impoverished neighborhoods. Western Avenue Ministries – tired of watching illegal drug deals occurring at two houses adjacent to our church, bought and demolished a row of abandoned homes. The ministry restored the land by turning it into community gardens.
2010
Recognizing that by the time they begin formal schooling, children in low-income families already lag significantly behind middle class peers academically, socially and physically, Western Avenue Ministries establishes Baby University, the first step in developing a cradle to career pipeline for South Toledo. “Baby U” began in partnership with Cherry Street Mission funded by a generous grant from the ProMedica Advocacy Fund of the Toledo Community Foundation.
Western Avenue Ministries moved around the corner to a new location at 1411 Broadway Street.
2013
As Western Avenue Ministry increases both the number of guests it serves and the type of services it provides for developing a cradle to career pipeline, the need for a larger facility had to be addressed. As a result, the Ministry purchases the Viking Lodge, which is located at 1623 Broadway. This three story building served Western Avenue Ministries is projected to be completed in several stages. Not only will it be the location of all of the current Ministry efforts, but several that are in the planning stages today.
2015
As of July 1, 2015, Western Avenue Ministry becomes Mosaic Ministries of South Toledo and purchases the former ST James/Head Start building, 860 Orchard Street, located at the corner of Orchard and Broadway. The first Sunday worship service at the new location is held on July 5, 2015.