New Life gives closed Fostoria church new life

FOSTORIA – About two years ago, the congregation of the Church of the Brethren in Fostoria disbanded, and the property was donated to Good Shepherd Home. Chris Widman, executive director at Good Shepherd, said he was unsure about what to do with the building. He and the home’s board did not want it to stand empty. A few months later, Widman had a call from a congregation looking for a place to worship. Amy Foster and her husband, Wyatt, the associate pastors of the congregation, made arrangements for the New Life Family Worship Church to occupy the former Church of the Brethren. Amy said the group had separated from the Pentecostal Church of God on Summit Street in Fostoria. They had met a few times in a warehouse near the railroad, where a mouse had joined them in worship. “We were looking for a building, and somebody suggested to go and talk to (Widman),” Amy said. Widman requested the congregation to partner with Good Shepherd in exchange for use of the worship space. The church’s pastor, Marie Turner, agreed to the arrangement. In turn, the home’s board approved allowing New Life to meet in the church. “I think the timing was excellent,” Widman said. Services are at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Amy said prayer groups also come in at 7 p.m. Tuesday evenings. Turner is the wife of the former pastor, who is deceased. Amy said Turner lives and works out of town, but she may be willing to relocate to Fostoria if the church grows enough to employ her full time. In the meantime, the Fosters keep an eye on the church and stay in touch with church members. Amy said about 50 people attend the Sunday services, and the congregation is pleased with its new location. “It was perfect for us,” she said. Religious artwork from the church has been framed and hung in the new wing at Good Shepherd. The home also is using part of the church for storing construction materials for the nursing addition and therapy department. The agreement with Good Shepherd specified that New Life would conduct a monthly worship service at the home. Amy said the group provides music and serves ice cream afterward for a social gathering. Then church members return to the church for a family fun night. “They have a real nice youth ministry program, and they bring the youth over – very active and community-minded,” Widman said. “Our youth helped with a carnival for the residents,” Amy said. “When they have an event, they invite us to help out, if we can.” The children and seniors have benefited from their interaction, and visiting the care facility allows church members to see the progress of construction, Amy said. Getting acquainted with the residents at the home has other rewards, as well. Some of the residents knew Amy’s father, Jim Keckler. “I get to hear all kinds of stories about my dad,” she added. New Life Family Worship is making plans for a vacation Bible school this summer and possibly a mission trip. Anyone interested in learning more about the church can attend a service, visit the church’s Facebook page or call Foster at (419) 436-9187.