Jim Fair
Rev. Kathy Sandlin held her International Cathedral of Prayer ministry at this city-owned property at Snow Street and Davis Avenue.
Rev. Kathy Sandlin was found two years in default of insurance payments for her International Cathedral of Prayer ministry located at Snow Street and Davis Avenue. The nondescript church is recognized by weathered banners lined across the outside of the entrance.
Councilman Jay Arrowood (District 1) made the motion to void the contract and Kimberly Bookert (District 3) seconded. Council was unanimous, 6-0 with Wayne Griffin absent, approving City Administrator Ed Driggers and the city’s legal council to proceed with notification of default.
Sandlin signed the original 20-year lease with the city in December 2003 for one dollar a month plus insurance and upkeep of the building and grounds.
Sandlin is described on her Facebook page as founder and president of The International Cathedral of Prayer, Inc., a 24/7 prayer center and a fully accredited Bible College – Kingdom Bible Institute.
While Sandlin and Driggers disagreed on payments made in 2013 – Sandlin claiming she had a receipt given to her from a pastor who paid by mail and Driggers saying no payment is documented – they both agreed no fees were paid to the city in 2014 and so far this year.
“The city attorney said we (city) are not up to date and it is in default, a violation of the agreement,” Driggers said.
Sandlin told council she fell ill last April requiring hospitalization for 12 days and an extended recovery. “I apologize for the time it has taken to bring this to order. It took me time to get well and get back on my feet,” she said.
Sandlin, said her ministry’s funding is dependent on her traveling and acquiring donations from sources for her to spend in Greer. “I only took one trip last year,” Sandlin said. “I keep the money from these trips for the upkeep of the Cathedral of Prayer.”
Mayor Rick Danner, who executed the original contract with Sandlin, questioned her original intent for the ministry to be self-sustaining and a revenue stream for the city.
Councilman Wryley Bettis (District 5) reminded Sandlin the city was called upon to provide upkeep of the nearly 5-acre property in the past, a provision that she agreed to in the contract.
Councilman Lee Dumas (District 4), citing his own struggles deciding on a career change, challenged Sandlin. “Maybe this is not your calling,” Dumas said.
Sandlin asked council for more time to make the outstanding balance current. “This is something I wanted for the city,” she said. Sandlin said she has “an average of 30 to 40 to 50 attend services” when they are held. A conference scheduled last weekend at the church was postponed, according to her website.
Council finished its voting and Danner moved to the next item on the agenda. Sandlin, still standing in front of Council, asked, “Does this mean I am losing my church?”
“Yes mam,” Danner said.