Save the home that has never turned anyone away!

In 1982 Rev. Robert Baynham moved to Kansas City, Kansas to Pastor Metropolitan Baptist Temple. He brought with him his family, including his wife and two girls. Over the years, you could find any of his children living with him. This home has also served as home to many in the community.

On January 23rd, we lost our dad, the head of the house. When he passed three of his daughters and three grandchildren lived with him. As he got older and dealt with sickness, he needed extra care at home. To our knowledge and understanding upon his retirement the house would become his or upon his death the house would be turned over to his living children.

We did not hear anything from anyone at the church regarding the house until May 2022 when we were advised we should be at a business meeting. At the meeting we were shocked when it was recommended to sell the house. We were told it would be offered to us first as the people living in the house. Although there were those that voted against it overall it was decided to sell the house. In the next business meeting members spoke on our behalf regarding the process and all of their suggestions were shot down. This meeting was in June 2022. We also tried to speak up for ourselves during this meeting and we were talked over by a member of the trustee board and shut down.

Prior to the business meeting we received a letter with a deadline of July 1st to make decision on moving or buying. With all of this being foreign to us and us not really knowing how to handle it we reached out for help. Dr. Harold Simmons who has been very well known in the community and was familiar with my dad’s situation agreed to help us navigate the process. Unfortunately, over the summer Dr. Simmons had a major stroke.

With us being back on our own we reached out to the church and asked for more time to secure financing. They had given us until October 1 to buy the house or move out. We are struggling to secure financing for the amount they are asking for the house. They are asking close to $200,000.00 for the house. In the meeting we were told that is the only amount the house can legally be sold to us for.

Our dad dedicated his life to being a servant. Over the last 40 years he served Metropolitan with everything God had given him. He did not have a lot of money or life insurance when he passed away. We all live paycheck to paycheck as did he. Please help us save our home. This has been home to so many it will be a sad day to see it sold off. It also leaves us homeless. We do not have money for a down payment or much needed repairs to the home. And if we are put out before we secure financing we need money for deposits, storage, and other moving expenses. Please help us!!