A while back I wrote about this Church and about the fact that they had a fire.
Here is an update on their situation:
Gateway Anabaptist Church
6146 E Dunbar Rd
Monroe, Michigan 48161
Pastor Dan Hardin 734-777-6676Isaiah 64:11 “Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste”
The evening of June 30, 2009, the Gateway Anabaptist Church building sustained an electrical fire rendering the complete loss of the contents and use of the current building, but no loss of any lives. Praise the Lord! Firefighters were able to contain the flames to the second floor, but water damaged all other contents – including, tracts, Bibles, books, printers, furniture….
We have been inquiring into renting a closed elementary school building in our school district, while we attempt to rebuild. Please pray for the Lord’s leading in finding a place to meet as autumn is just around the corner.
Saturday, August 8, some of our members attempted to have a bake sale and raised $400. Neighbors of the church building came just to donate, even in the pouring rain! Some of the church members are hoping to have a car wash in the near future just to help work and raise money for the building fund. We now have $11,200.00 in the building fund.
We expect that it will take about $125,000 to rebuild our facility. We are presently trying to work with the authorities to get our electricity back on.
God is leading in so many of our friends lives from so many other churches, who have been blessed by our church ministry throughout the years, to help us and share in the blessings. It has truly been a humbling , yet wonderful experience to see how God will use “the widow’s mite.” To all that have contributed already we must say, “Thank you, we will never forget your kindness!” God is able!
As the pastor having lost so many of my “in reach, and ready resources” of literature for evangelism, discipleship, and counseling, it has become most difficult. However, when that day returns in the future when we will have those things again, we look forward to the more greater things that will be accomplished for the ministry of the Gospel. We have recently seen six baptized with about eight more awaiting baptism with several that have been recently saved. God is adding to His church, in spite of all the adversity.
The enemy meant it for evil, …but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20
We will not “quit or compromise” as God leads us through the “fire and the flood”.
“…Some through the water, Some through the flood, Some through the fire, But all through the blood…!”
Hebrews 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
We very much covet your prayers!
Pastor Dan Hardin
August 13, 2009
Again, if you can help this people out. Feel free to send them a check via the address below:
Gateway Anabaptist Church
6146 E Dunbar Rd
Monroe, Michigan 48161
Pastor Dan Hardin 734-777-6676
Please, do not send the money to me, because right at the moment, I do not have a car that will travel to the Church to get the money to them. Send it direct.