Wood Ministry

photos & story by Wil MacAllister

Most pastors wouldn't be found on the

side of a mountain, chainsaw in hand, cutting down trees. Things are a little different for Pastor James Sinclair of "Church on the Move," an Assembly of God church in Plains, Mont.

Since 1998, a year after Sinclair became the pastor of the church, they have been conducting what they call Wood Ministry. Every year they gather volunteers to cut and split wood for the less fortunate people in Plains who need extra help staying warm through the cold Montana winter months.

Volunteer workers have included members of the church, residents of Plains, fraternity members from Missoula and a large volunteer effort by students from a ministry school in Sacramento, Calif.

The school has been working with the church for the past eight years. Seven of those they have been able to send volunteers to help for a full week. These students have been the main driving force behind the Wood Ministry due to their high turnout and commitment.

Ministry student Dan Fowler slept on the side of the mountain for several nights while cutting down trees. He said he found solace in being cold because it made him think he was enduring this so others could stay warm.

Many recipients of the firewood don't have a means to repay the church but try to give back in any way they can.

Bruce and Debbie Churchill, owners of Sloppy Joe's Original Bar-B-Q on the eastern side of town, closed down one evening to feed all of the volunteers as repayment for the firewood. They first received firewood from the church last winter due to economic hardships.