Fort Dodge
volunteers bring ministry to neighborhoods.
By SHIRLEY RAGSDALE
REGISTER RELIGION EDITOR
Each Wednesday and Saturday, the pastor of First United
Methodist Church in Fort Dodge fires up the
congregation's brightly painted 18-wheeler and drives to a city
park or to vacant lots near the skateboard park.
About the same time, a dozen members of the congregation pull on
bright yellow T-shirts and meet him there for Summer Sidewalk
Sunday School with children from the church's blue-collar
neighborhood.
The Rev. Gordon Watson has long had a vision of ministering
to people "where they are and how they are."
"During my career as a pastor, I've tried to raise that as a
concern and a calling. But until coming to First United
Methodist in Fort Dodge, I didn't have too much
success," he said.
Church members said Summer Sidewalk Sunday School has
energized the congregation.
"Outdoor service scares some mainline church congregations,"
said Scott Johnston, 52, one of the Sidewalk Sunday School
shepherds. "We're renovating our church for its 150th
anniversary next year, but this effort broke us out of the four
walls of the sanctuary and let us see beyond the stained-glass
windows."
To get the program rolling, Watson told the congregation he
would buy the semi-tractor if the church would buy the trailer.
Within a few months, the big rig had been purchased and
outfitted to become a mobile church.
Last year it offered Summer Sidewalk Sunday School in one
Fort Dodge location. This year it has two. Two other
congregations, United Methodist and Lutheran, provide
volunteers. And two other denominations have expressed an
interest in joining the program.
"This is so much fun," said volunteer Iris Jones, 55. "The
kids are so excited when we introduce them to Sidewalk Sunday
School. Some don't have an opportunity to attend church. And
even though their families live nearby, they might not venture
in."
The same boundless enthusiasm that sold First Methodist members
on spiritual outreach sweeps up the Side-walk Sunday School
children. The message is welcoming, "We just want everybody to
know God loves you!" The curriculum includes songs, dances,
skits, games and prizes, a Bible lesson and lunch. Kids are
asked if they have prayer requests.
"It's just heart-wrenching the things they pray for," Jones
said. "They asked for prayers for a grandmother, that her cancer
will go away, or the family would find a new home. The week
before Father's Day, one little boy asked us to pray for the
father he had never met." The children are assured that their
prayer requests are taken to "The Big Church on the Hill," where
the members will pray for them.
While it may have taken a little urging to get some church
members to participate, the congregation has embraced the
program wholeheartedly. Some credit the mobile ministry with
re-energizing the church as they "bring the light to people."
The Rev. Evelyn Lewiston, associate pastor, believes the best
program endorsement is that the children and volunteers come
back all summer.
"The kids are always there at 11 a.m.," Lewiston said. "They
come up and hug you. Last year, I was walking through Wal-Mart
and one of the kids ran up to me, glad to see me. When Gordon
drives the truck through the neighborhood, he can hear the kids
on the porch comment, `Look, there's our truck.' Our truck.
They've taken ownership."
Teens and middle-school members come to help. Older members
do the set-up and stay until after lunch is served. People from
other churches have volunteered. A few members take early lunch
hours so they can participate. Some claim Sidewalk is addictive,
that you can't come just once.
"Our mission statement is to provide the people of the Fort
Dodge area opportunities for spiritual growth, real
friendships and giving of themselves," said Jennifer Peterson,
truck-ministry coordinator. "That is how Christianity was
started, and we believe it is how it should continue."
Photo By: DOUG WELLS/REGISTER PHOTOS
We're here: Pastor Gordon Watson works the sound system, left,
while Jennifer Peterson hula-hoops at one of the mobile
ministry's outings in Fort Dodge.
In the right place: Volunteer Marcella "Granny M" Wininger,
78, extends a welcome to 5-year-old Jazmin Jones. |
