More to come, this is the Preface. "Our Hearts are following God"
By Matthew Steilberg
The Story of Minnie’s Chapel on its 100th Anniversary
“She had nothing but great faith in the God who knows no impossibilities and a tract of land with standing timber, which she inherited from her father…”
- May Ayers on her mother, Minnie Shockley
Preface
This is the story of a special place to so many special people. This is a place where good people, friends, and families worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s where friends and families come together to pray, laugh, cry, and support. This is where we serve the Lord and serve each other. It has been the difference between life and death for many. And here we present you with its history on this 100-year anniversary. This is no easy task! It is literally impossible to write about of all the wonderful moments experienced by so many in our little church. There is no way to tell of all the souls saved, lives touched and changed, of the thought-provoking scriptures read and soaring hymns members have lifted! And as you read the final sentence you might wonder about a particularly memorable Christmas season that wasn’t recalled or a time when the congregation pulled together as one to get through a tough stretch or rescue someone from pain and sadness. Maybe you’ll get to the last page and then wish for more pages and pictures that recount even more of the memories that make our Minnie’s Chapel the life-changing friend it has been for so many. Well here’s my advice: when you experience that feeling I hope you will also remember this: Minnie’s Chapel is here to keep us drawn to the Lord’s love and Jesus’ teachings. That’s all that really matters, isn’t it? As great as our memories are, as much as we think of the preaching, the people, the celebrations, and the music --- it’s the Lord’s love that is really unites us as one and defines our hundred years. Many memories have been made here and by all accounts hundreds more are to come.
…and now that being said, let’s take some time with pages and pictures to remember where we came from, where we are now, and – most importantly – where we are to go with our next hundred years. Let us remember the determination and faith of a woman whose accomplishments still enrich us all. And let us also remember that it’s through our own faith in and love of each other that we have this church home. May the Lord bless us all, may he send us into the world to do his work with gladness and singleness of heart.
