odin

Gospel Lighthouse Church

By Curt & Kim Matthews

Gospel Lighthouse Church

In 1984 a group of 70 members under the leadership of Pastor Dean West purchased five acres of ground east of Odin. The vision of the church was to spread the gospel by preaching the Gospel and fulfilling Mathew 24:35: "For I was hungry and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in." Services are Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday evening services at 7:00 p.m. Food Ministry is the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, from 10:00 – 12:00 a.m.

The church went through many transitions and pastors, then in 1996 Curt and Kim Matthews became pastors. The Matthews since arriving in Odin have given a labor of love, faith and perseverance to a ministry that has served thousands of people both spiritually and physically.

Thousands of people over the years have come to the "Helping Hands Ministry" with no other needed qualification that just simply needed a helping hand. After much preparation from volunteer workers each 2nd and 4th Tuesday the day begins with spiritual food. Curt and Kim Matthews provide a short praise service and a message of good news from our Lord. Following the opening service, volunteer workers give out the food supplies provided by the food pantry. During the year 2007 alone, 10,367 people and 3,838 families received food through the generosity and good will of the "Helping Hands Ministry". Beyond the many thousands of people and families served each year by the "Helping Hands Ministry" there has been an outreach ministry by the "Helping Hands Ministry" to Katrina, Appalachian Mountains-Copper Basin for Children, Loaves 3 Fishes Street Ministry of Centralia, IL, and Hope Ministry at Wayne City, IL.

Added by Jim McGrew:

I know the Matthews’ do not seek personal acknowledgement for their labor of love for the Lord and his people and Curt is quick to point out that the great number of people from other churches have volunteered their work and services have made the "Helping Hands Ministry" possible. Among those none have been more dedicated over the past years in their labor of love and service each week than John & Tonya Nelson of the Gospel Light House, Bob and Hazel Parks of the Odin Christian Church, and Curt and Kim Matthews. Without any fanfare they have performed a great labor of love for the benefit of thousands of people. Keep up the good work! The Lord is watching!