A church whose primary focus is helping those recently released from incarceration is asking for the public’s help.

Second Chance Baptist Church caters to those recently released — or still in work release — by providing assistance to decrease recidivism. Family members also attend services.

“We’re trying to help people coming out of jail,” said Pastor Mike Thacker. “They come out of jail with no money, no place to live and most don’t have a driver’s license.

“This church belongs to people who have been in trouble before.”

The church was formed in March, and has weekly Bible study sessions, and morning and evening Sunday services. The church has been renting space at 1010 W. Eighth St., currently where Man4Man Ministries meets. But Second Chance is looking for a place of its own.

Thacker said the church is hoping to raise enough money — about $300,000 — through donations to buy a church at 122 W. Eighth St. The roughly 8,000-square-foot, two-story building, owned by Sue Rush, would provide enough room for the expanding church.

“It’s growing and we’re running out of space,” Thacker said.

The new location is downtown, a more convenient location for the church’s parishioners. He said about 30 to 35 people attend the two services.

Rush, owner of both Rush Temporaries and Snelling Personnel, said the building isn’t currently being used. At one point, she said, Rush Temporaries did have offices in its basement.

Thacker approached her in April about renting the building. Instead Rush, who isn’t a member of the church, suggested the church buy it through donations. She said the building’s space and central location make it ideal for Second Chance.

“This church is perfect for this man,” Rush said.

With the added space, the church hopes to begin offering programs that address alcohol and drug addiction. They also want to add a second night of Bible study.

Part of the building, which is already set up as a church, could be renovated to provide living space for those in need of temporary housing. Thacker said they’d also like to expand the kitchen.

All the efforts, he said, are to lower the chance offenders — both men and women — will return to jail or prison.

“Our heart is to get people back on their feet and get their lives turned around and not go back to jail,” Thacker said. “My heart is that I want to teach these men and women and their families.”