MARSHALLVILLE, Ga. — A Macon County church wants to get a handle on some problems that they say have been around for years.
Leaders at Glorious Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Marshallville say they've had an inadequate water supply for the past few years. Pastor Elder Austin and his wife Tina Austin have been in constant contact with the city, who says it's not their problem.
First lady Tina Austin says her church has been facing water pressure issues for years, and they have water but only drip by drip.
"We have to be able to work together to serve the people of this community," Austin said. "We have been going back and forth with the city trying to get updates as to how this matter can be fixed."
Both Tina and Elder Austin have been constantly reaching out to the city to see how they can work together to fix the issue.
At first, the city would call back and respond to their emails. As of lately, she said they've been completely silent. All they want is honesty.
"It's very frustrating and honestly, it's very embarrassing," Austin said. "We have guests from out of town and from our community, and we can't even offer them some adequate water to use the restroom? That's unacceptable and they're not coming through for us. They weren't coming through for the members who live here, they're not coming through for the pastor of this church, that says a lot."
If you flush the toilet, the water is low. If you turn on the faucet, it's a small stream. Tina says she hopes to be able to provide her congregation with the care they deserve sometime soon.
"We love serving the members of this church and the community," Austin said. "That's what we're about and the best way that we can serve God is by serving his people."
We reached out to Mayor Al Lane who sent us a statement saying: "There is a water project underway that will eliminate any water issue involving the church. I have spoken to church officials and they are satisfied with the progress being made to deliver proper water service to them. We have no further comment."
We asked pastor Austin about that statement and he says this is the first he's heard that the city has a plan. He told us he's not satisfied quite yet.
Glorious Hope Primitive Baptist Church is located at 215 Cotton Avenue in Marshallville. They offer services every second Sunday at 11 a.m.