There comes a time in everyone’s lives where they need to reach out for help. Sometimes there is a financial problem and there isn’t enough money to go around. It feels like there is no way to provide for the basic necessities of life. A local man, John Wall, has chosen to reach out to help needy people in our area. Wall has dedicated a pole barn in Watkins to serve as a warehouse of donated items for people in need. “The Jesus Christ Eternal Ministries was started five years ago [by Wall],” said Assistant Director, Gerald Whitmore. “I live in Grove City and have been in the area for the last 13 years … [Five years ago] I found this farm and it worked because it had a big building.” Wall needed a place with a lot of space to store all of the donated items. Items that the center provides include household furniture such as beds, chairs, couches and tables. Clothing of all sizes from infants to adults is available. The Ministries also provides food and disaster relief. While there is no precise number of how many families the Ministries has served, Whitmore said, “we have really been helping thousands of people.” “We have already donated 13 semi-loads of food, 16 semi-loads of clothing, hundreds of beds, couches and chairs,” stated Wall. The Ministries works with various groups including the Marie Sandvik Center, Youth For Christ, Teen Challenge, Damascus Way and others. The center also collaborates with local churches to make sure that everyone in need is served. Whitmore said, “When a ministry knows that their congregants need supplies – their house burns down, they are having financial trouble – we can outfit them with natural means.” Wall pointed out that the service is meant to help all types of people. “In some cases, there are families that don’t have anything like migrant workers. We also help people on welfare programs.” If needed, the Ministries can also move supplies to a family’s home. They have various trucks for this purpose and ask volunteers to help. Besides working locally, the Ministries also provides its services abroad through the International Student Fellowship. The Ministries serves 49 countries including El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Sierra Leone and Mexico. Donations, of any size, are always needed and accepted. To get to the center, take Hwy 55 to the John Deere dealer, turn south and follow the road around the curve. The Ministries is the first farm on the left. Please call before dropping off or picking up items at (320) 764-2915. “We will take everything donated, but right now we are really looking for beds, tables, couches and chairs,” said Wall. “We can always use disaster supplies like cots and food.” The Jesus Christ Eternal Ministries is a 501C3 organization. No profit is made from any of the services that they provide.
