Early Saturday morning we headed back to Idaville for the day’s events. The Idaville church joined the Southern Indiana Eldership of the Churches of God in 1901, but the congregation actually had its beginnings in 1843 as part of the New Dunkard branch of the Brethren Church. In 1908 the church dedicated a new brick bethel which served the congregation for nearly a century. In 2001 the church broke ground for their current facility on the edge of town along Route 24. |
Idaville Church of God hosted offering snacks and a luncheon for the 70 or so people who came and Faith Covenant Church of God from Monticello, IN provided music (pictured below). The day consisted of a rotation between praise and worship times and a variety of thirty minute workshops. I conducted three: “Discovering Your Life Plan,” “Praying with the Psalms” and “Better Church Structure.” Bill led several on church development topics. Other leaders included Jeff and Julie Burns, Steve Johnson, and Jeff Rockey. In one of the business sessions Joe Carpenter, Eleanor Estes and Toddrick Gordon were presented with ministerial credentials and later helped with the Lord’s Supper led by Steve Johnson (pictured below). |
The Kluster ended late afternoon and everyone headed home. A group of us went back to Monticello to see the facility Faith Covenant is in process of purchasing (pictured below). Darl and Barb Clemons who lead the congregation walked us through the building and recounted an amazing story of God’s provision. Sometime we’ll need to give a detailed account, but in summary this twenty-two year old congregation is buying a five year old 1.6 million dollar foreclosed property for 250k. In addition, they have a buyer for their existing facility which will pull the mortgage down to about 100k. AMAZING! Work will be needed to complete renovations and the facility is totally unfurnished, so there will be some additional expenses, but overall this is nothing short of a miracle. Did I mention it sits on 13 acres? |
Sunday morning we traveled about 90 minutes to the greater Ft Wayne area. Bill visited the Olive Branch Church while Linda and I worshipped with our Silver Creek congregation. Both church facilities are in rural locations, but are actively engaged in ministry locally and overseas. Silver Creek began in 1849, but didn’t formally organize until three years later. The church built a log bethel which was replaced in 1890 with a frame structure. The congregation remodeled and expanded that building several times since, although it’s hard to tell the old meeting house is actually part of today’s facility. Pastor Tom Craig graciously invited me to bring the morning message (pictured above). He and his wife Deb began serving Silver Creek in 1997. Being the week after Resurrection Sunday I chose John 20:24-31 as my text and used Jesus’ command to Thomas as my title: “Stop doubting and believe!” At times we all have doubts, but they need not dominate nor discourage us. We do have a choice. When we believe Jesus lives, we find hope (the antidote to doubt and fear). So, will we choose to believe “He lives!” or not? |
Ed
Soli Deo Gloria!