New Life for Old Church Building
By Christopher Miller
Only a few days after the last service of the First United Presbyterian Church in Renovo, an interested party has come forward to begin a new ministry in the area.
Darlene Mills, an attendee and volunteer of the former First United Presbyterian Church, has come forward to continue ministry in Renovo. The name of her ministry will be God’s House and Family Ministry.
The following is a press release written by Darlene and shared with The Record earlier this week:
From Darlene Mills:
I’ve attended the 6th street Presbyterian Church for about 9 years now. Although not a Presbyterian, I was invited to attend by Jim O’Donnell, Peanut Long and Bob Perry, who I consider my friends.
When I started going there I saw a need for a Sunday school teacher. I volunteered, and they accepted.
Along the way Martha Sykes, the Lay Pastor asked if I could fill in for her on occasion. I accepted and assisted her whenever she needed me. Over time, it became my home church and I learned to love the people very much. They were extremely kind to me during a very rough period of my life.
As time went on we lost two of our board members and the responsibility of the church became great for the remaining members. They decided to close. Leaving that day, I cried my eyes out. “Not another one closing, who will help the people if the churches close?”
They offered it to The Salvation Army but they had a great responsibility already, so they decided to not take it.
The remaining churches in Renovo did not offer, and God wouldn’t leave me alone. The burden on my heart was heavy, so I wrote the lawyer who had assisted me when my friend was dying of cancer and was also the church’s council. I said “if no one else will step up to the plate, I’ll take it on.” I offered to minister and they accepted.
I really do not believe in denominations. When we get to Heaven the Baptist will not be in one corner, the Presbyterians in another and the Catholics in another. I am not a Pastor, that is a very special calling it has strict guidelines according to scripture. However, I have been ministering, serving for a very, very long time.
I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of 25 and have tried to serve my fellow man ever since. I love the Lord Jesus with all my heart and I will do my best to continue serving him and whoever needs me. God has been so good to me. I owe him everything.
God’s house is just another opportunity for me to show the love and forgiveness, the heavenly father has shown me. I welcome anyone and everyone. It’s not the outside God saves, it’s the soul.
We open on the 25th of April and I invite all to attend and have lunch after.
I’ve included a statement of faith.
House in Family Statement of Faith
We believe in God the father, maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ his only son… our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary suffered under Pontius Pilot, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell, the third day he rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us until He comes back to Earth again to gather His own and judge the Earth. We believe in the Holy Spirit that WE are the church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and Life everlasting.
An invitation was shared for all to attend the new ministry. The text of that is below:
God’s House and Family Ministry
April 25, 2021
10:45 AM
600 Huron Avenue, Renovo
“Please come and join us for our opening service and lunch after.”
