Answers ‘yes’ to a call to serve Crenshaw County

Ira Walton, Sr. relocated his family to Rutledge in June 1996. He and his wife, Angela, along with their four children, purchased three acres of land on what is called the Rutledge Loop Road. 

It was at this time that his vision to have a place of worship, camp for the youth and a school began to take shape. 

Walton retired from the United States Marines in April 1996 after serving 20 years. It was while he was in the Marines that he traveled to many countries and saw the need for ministry and working with children and their families to create positive attitudes, love and a home environment to improve their outlook on themselves and life. In Yuma, Arizona where the family lived previously, he was instrumental in starting the Faith Baptist Church in their home. He also started the Well-Done Janitorial Service, employing 40 employees and becoming the largest janitorial service in Yuma.

In Luverne, Ira joined the Police Department and completed the State Trooper Academy in July 1997. He was made an investigator of the Luverne Housing Authority but he did not forget his desire to work with young people and their families who had problems. 

In October 1998, he began building the Community Baptist Church. In March of 1999 the congregation held their first service and dedicated the ministry to the glory of God. 

In April 2021, they purchased 3,400 square feet to accommodate a fellowship hall and Lighthouse Christian Academy. His work continued, and in May 2017 with the assistance of Dr. Daryl Franzel at the Alabama Baptist Seminary, Walton’s vision came to fruition.  

Proverbs 20:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish:” The part of his vision that was started in August 2000 continues to this day on 29.4 acres the couple purchased. It is now the home of Camp Legacy, a Christian camp, that consists of an administration office with a recreation room and counselors’ lounge, a boys’ and girls’ dormitory that can sleep 60 each and house six adults with separate sleeping areas and a dining facility that can accommodate 100. 

“Our prayers and hopes are to welcome our first campers in the summer of 2025,” Walton said.