Site
Contents
 |
Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Area United Methodist
Foundation
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
Country
Church:
Mackey Salem UMC experiences changes inside, out
By Matthew Oates
- Mackey Salem UMC, Vincennes District
- Pastor: The Rev. Matt Malin
- Members: 85
- Average attendance: 95
- Location: A few blocks east of Indiana 57 on Gibson County Road 700
MACKEY, Ind. -- The season of Lent is about sacrifice and change. The United Methodists in Mackey know a whole lot about both.
A few years ago, this stately church located along County Road 700 in Gibson County was remodeled in the span of four months. "We wiped out the inside," says the Rev. Matt Malin, explaining how the congregation kept the outer shell of the church, but improved the church by making it handicap accessible with enclosed stairs and a carport. "It made it look totally different."
During the remodeling, the church worshipped at Barton Township Elementary School, which is cater-corner to the church. The sacrifices were worth it.
It wasn't the first time the church experienced change. Since its founding in 1868 as Immanuel Evangelical Association, the church has called two locations "home" (not counting the school) and has changed its name at least four times due to mergers.
Rev. Matt, who is in his eighth year of serving at Mackey Salem, explained that this year's Lenten theme is "Passing the Faith Along," which is also the church's evangelism theme for 2002. The evangelism project has the entire church hopping. The idea is for members to pass their faith along by praying for three people they know who either don't know the love of Christ or attend church frequently.
So far, the program is working. Their first event drew 53 people, and many more are planned. "We expected 25," explains Rev. Matt.
Passing one's faith along doesn't just flow to those in the community; it also flows through the entire church. Rev. Matt is classified as a "MOD" -- minister of another denomination -- in UMC lingo. But faith is what drew him and his wife to Mackey Salem. He is an ordained General Baptist pastor and served as a youth pastor in Oakland City. He wanted to go full-time into ministry.
It was down to two weeks before the family had to leave the parsonage and no ministry jobs were offered. Then with one week to go "… the Lord called us to Mackey Salem," recalls Rev. Matt, who also teaches U. S. history and physical education at Wood Memorial High School. "The church has been nothing but awesome to us."
In the last eight years, the church has seen attendance go from an average of 25 to 30 to 95. The church has been drawing young couples with children, and has been working to establish and strengthen relationships throughout the community with those who don't go to church regularly on Sundays.
Besides sharing faith, the church also overflows with generosity and activity -- no matter what the cause. The 10:30 a.m. service is filled with prayers, sharing, singing, children and preaching. Throughout the week, meetings and fellowship activities are held. Rev. Matt sums it up best: "For a small church, we're active."
Last updated on 01/14/2004