Nancy Goossens, chairman of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Gilead’s mission committee took time to share some of the good things the mission team has been working on.

She explained that while there is a committee of four members which includes herself, Kim Porter, Dave Mullett and Carol Lessick, the whole church is part of the mission team. “You get a project going and the volunteers are there, it is really amazing.”

The Morrow County Historical Society has benefited from one of the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Gilead’s recent mission efforts.

Seventeen members of the church painted the Morrow County Historical Society’s new Morrow County History Center located at 17 W. High St. (The former First-Knox Bank building.)

Volunteers of the Historical Society have been making repairs, plastering areas of damage and painting in preparation for an anticipated spring grand opening as well as the “sneak peak” this Saturday during the omelette breakfast fundraiser they are holding. The breakfast will be held at Senior’s on Center from 8am to 10 am. It is a freewill donation and you will be served by one of several local “celebrity chefs.” The History Center will be open during the breakfast for attendees to view the progress inside.

The size of the lobby and time crunch for the fundraiser for the few volunteers who were painting, seemed like a larger task than they could tackle alone. That is when the Presbyterian Church mission team offered to help.

The mission team purchased the paint, used their own painting supplies, painted the lobby with two coats of paint, painted the trim and doors, cleaned and re-hung the valances in the lobby, and helped move a blind from one location to another that was given the MCHS volunteers difficulty.

“Their contribution of labor and donation of paint is greatly appreciated,” shared Mike Wilson, president of the Morrow County Historical Society, “Thank you for helping with the preservation of Morrow County’s history.”

The Presbyterian Church and the Morrow County Historical Society share a “historical” connection as well. The Cross House, another of the MCHS’ museums, was where the congregation originated meeting at the home of G.D. Cross, and the old Presbyterian cemetery is behind the Cross House.

In addition to painting the History Center, so far this year, the Presbyterian mission team has provided half the funding for a roof replacement in the Congo on the Protestant center, a central meeting place where meetings, celebrations and funerals are held; painted the exterior of the State Lakes Nature Center; held a Souper Bowl Sunday with proceeds donated to a local food pantry; built a handicapped accessible ramp, laid a sidewalk and completed house repairs; gave bottle water at the Sweet Corn Festival; held a Free Fun Day Sunday providing games, a bounce house, food and face painting; handed out 275 juice boxes in 2014 on trick or Treat night and plan to do so again this year. They als have a number of ongoing projects.

“We have been so blessed by God and want to share what we have with those who are hurting and need assistance. Our mission work is one way to show people that they are loved by God and that there are people in the community who care about them,” shared Goossens, “Don’t be hesitant to come to our church, we will welcome you.”

The First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Gilead is located at 55 North Cherry St. in Mt. Gilead. Worship is held on Sundays at 10:30 am.

Reach Donna Carver at 419-946-3010, ext. 1804 or on twitter @MorrCoSentinel.

Members of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Gilead volunteered to paint the lobby of the new Morrow County History Center. Left to right are: Dave Mullett, Kim Porter, Ed Nesbitt, Brenda Irvin, Nancy Goossens, Dan Dreis and Lisa Hull. Donna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/10/web1_Pres-church-group.jpgMembers of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Gilead volunteered to paint the lobby of the new Morrow County History Center. Left to right are: Dave Mullett, Kim Porter, Ed Nesbitt, Brenda Irvin, Nancy Goossens, Dan Dreis and Lisa Hull. Donna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel

Members of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Gilead volunteered to paint the lobby of the new Morrow County History Center. Left to right are: Mark Goossens, Rev. Deb Bowsher, Jim Helt, Don Bowen, Ann Sweeney, June Bowen, Lisa Hull (last row) Carmel Cooper, Nancy Goossens, Ed Nesbitt, Dr. Jack Sweeney, Marlene Helt and Kim Porter. Donna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2015/10/web1_Presbyterian-group.jpgMembers of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Gilead volunteered to paint the lobby of the new Morrow County History Center. Left to right are: Mark Goossens, Rev. Deb Bowsher, Jim Helt, Don Bowen, Ann Sweeney, June Bowen, Lisa Hull (last row) Carmel Cooper, Nancy Goossens, Ed Nesbitt, Dr. Jack Sweeney, Marlene Helt and Kim Porter. Donna Carver | Morrow County Sentinel

By Donna Carver

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