Four generations are Coming Home to Dumas… March 18—20, 2022
Homecoming in West Dumas: It all began in 1976 at the corner of Walnut and Waterman in Dumas. The year that a community in West Dumas saw a work of faith in action. West Dumas became home to a ministry with a new house of worship that would come to stand the test of time.
After the 1976 Dedication of the West Dumas Church of God in Christ, and for years to follow, the third weekend in March was declared HOMECOMING in West Dumas. Thousands of people came into Dumas, bus loads from across the nation filling up hotels from Dumas, McGehee, Pine Bluff and packing out restaurants during the three-day period.
This year, March 18-20, the Homecoming resumes. It will be held at three locations, HMC at Walnut and Waterman, The Legacy Center at 501 W. Bowles and at Harvest Time Ministries (HTM) in Mitchellville. Four generations are coming home and being a part of reuniting, rebuilding and restoring great love, honor, worship and vision to a city and community that has great legacy.
The late pastor, Dr. Hunt, Sr., transitioned 21 years ago and many challenges have been experienced. Three lawsuits and battles that have come from state, city and local individuals are confirming a ‘battle-tested work. “This has not been easy, but God has proven His favor,” stated Hunt, Jr.
In the west end of Dumas adjacent to the Dumas Housing Authority Residential Community, an old, dilapidated building sat for years. Built to be a Catfish Farm, the facility unfortunately never experienced any significant success ultimately became a major eyesore for 33 years. The property would eventually be donated to an organization that was headed and directed under the leadership of the late Dr. A.L. Hunt, Sr., who pastored the West Dumas Church of God in Christ which is now HMC— Hunt Memorial Cathedral of Faith.
In 1992, Dr. Hunt began a mission to renovate the site and prepare to open the complex under a banner and theme that would be in the heart of the community and would have the community in its heart. After recruiting and appointing a diverse board from within the community and state, comprised of diverse backgrounds, came much sweat and blood and tremendous sacrifice from within the local church and community who were dedicated to the reconstruction efforts. In the fall of 1994, the Dedication Ceremony of the West Dumas Family Life Center took place in a grand fashion that will long be remembered. It was the first community center of its type in the entire county.
Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., a charter board member who was living in Atlanta, Georgia working for a major recording label, brought Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist and Tony Award Winner, Ms. Jennifer Holliday to Dumas for the Grand Opening of the West Dumas Community Family Life Center during the Thanksgiving Holiday.
The 2022 Homecoming, Reunion and Convention is for all of Dumas to come out and be a part. A list of events, speakers, performers, how vendors, the chambers of commerce and how the three-day series will have something for everyone is being listed on the DAT-C website under Special Events. More will be shared here in the Clarion in the coming weeks.
Registration starts on Sunday, February 20. Access the site at: www.dat-c.org
