Congregation has 25 acres available

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On the front page of Illinois Mennonite Conference’s The Reporter (September 2007) was a report on the closing of the Meadows Mennonite Church, in Chenoa, Ill. I am saddened by this event.

We like to think of our churches as growing healthy communities of faith, serving God and community. It makes you stop and think about the conditions that caused them to lose it. Possibly this can be a learning experience for all of us.

I have gotten involved with a rural church about 10 miles east of Kankakee, Ill., and 60 miles south of Chicago. The congregation is known as the Rehoboth Mennonite Church in St. Ann, Ill. The congregation remembers better days, when the church was full and the campground and day-care service were busy places. The small but faithful congregation is pondering what to do next. Some visions are to reactivate the campground and day care, explore the possibilities of a prison ministry working with ex-offenders teaching them the skills required to make it in today's complex society and develop a retirement community.

The Rehoboth Mennonite Church has about 25 five acres of land, mostly unused. With imagination and a lot of work, the possibilities are unlimited. I am taking this opportunity to invite others to become a participant in this faith-based initiative. If you feel this activity is God-inspired, please contact Rehoboth Mennonite Church, c/o Rose Covington, 14420 A E. 3000 S. Road, St. Ann, IL 60964.

If we share our visions, concerns and burdens, we can move our resources around the world and give everyone the opportunity to experience Christ’s kingdom.

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