7 minute read
Faith & Belief
Ministry Hopes to Offer Peace in Chaotic World
The large barn on Nehemiah Ranch provides space for indoor events, meals and more. The 30 acres on the property includes woods, gardens and open space for events.
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By Melissa Gibson
Jeff Leath, a Plainfield Middle School teacher, was baptized in 2003, going through a divorce in 2005 and began asking God what his purpose or assignment would be in life.
The 34 acres of Avon property he purchased in 2008, he believes, was the beginning of an answer.
“I kept having dreams,” Leath said. “I was dreaming about an old barn and campsite and I began journaling about it.”
In 2009, he began offering the property, named Nehemiah Ranch, up to “anything that strengthens families and people – whatever it takes,” and saw youth groups, church groups and non-profits organizing their campouts and other events by the dozens.
Leath and a team of volunteers began praying and meeting regularly to work on ways to utilize the space and invite people to gather. The Hendricks County Community Foundation, Hendricks Power and Avon United Methodist Church volunteered workdays, donated funds and more.
They began by hosting live bands, cookouts and organized scavenger hunts in the woods for youth.
He planted a test garden to see what crops would grow and what failed – almost nothing survived with the exception of a small plot of pumpkins.
“We came up with a plan to sell the pumpkins and raise funds for our non-profit but three weeks before they were ready, I told the group, ‘We’re supposed to give them away’ and they all agreed,” Leath said.
They organized a free fall festival the first three Saturdays in October from 6-9 p.m. and have been welcoming the community to the event ever since.
“We don’t want to look so much like the world,” Leath said. “We don’t want money to be an obstacle for people.”
“We have a fire pit going, hand out smore packs, give away hotdogs and hot chocolate and of course, a hayride and pumpkin to everyone for free,” Leath continued. “This isn’t about Halloween, it’s a celebration of God’s harvest. We also give a short testimony of faith before the hay wagon ride. I feel like, if I don’t tell people that Jesus loves them and what He has done in my life, then I’ve missed it.”
The ministry offers a free fall festival event the first three Saturdays in October.
Leath remarried in 2017 and he, his wife Joy, and the numerous volunteers have welcomed anywhere from 450 to 1,700 people throughout the month of October over the years.
U-Pick Sunflowers are now available at Nehemiah Ranch.
They’ve also begun growing sunflowers to sell for $1- $3 apiece, supplementing the funds needed to operate the fall event.
Leath posts on the Nehemiah Ranch Facebook page hours of open sunflower picking each week. They’ll be open from 4-7 p.m., Aug. 5-7 and will announce next week’s hours soon.
“I want to be sure to honor all of our volunteers; we can’t do this without them and without their hearts on fire for the Lord. I want to be sure God is glorified and be clear that this is all by his direction,” Leath said.
For more information, like the Nehemiah Ranch Facebook page or visit https://www.nehemiahranch.org.
Local Clothing Ministries
Danville Friends Church, 45 N CR 200 E, started a community outreach program March 10th, 2019 to provide free clothing, etc. for families. For an appointment, please call 317-7 45-5348 or 31 7-696-0962 or email newbeginnings@ danvillefriends.org.
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Northview Christian Church, 623 N St Rd 39, Danville’s Clothes Closet provides free clothing for individuals of all alges. Hours are 1st Saturday of every month, 9 - 11 a.m.; 3rd Thursday of every month, 5- 7:30 p.m., or by appointment by calling 317-745-5990. For more information visit northviewchristian.org
Ralph Waldo Emerson
SEND US YOUR CHURCH NEWS
The Republican welcomes news items from all Hendricks County churches. News items may be sent to therepublican@ sbcglobal.net; by mail to P.O. Box 149, Danville, IN 46122; or by phone to 317-745-2777.
Hendricks County Church Directory
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMO 4779 Pearl St., Amo (317) 539-6920 www.amo1stbaptist.org Sunday worship: 10:30 a..m.
AVON PARKSIDE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE 47 N. CR 625 E., Avon, IN 46123 317-272-7902 www.avonparkside.com Sunday Worship - 10:15 am; Wed. night activities 7 pm
BARTLETT CHAPEL UNITED METHODIST 4396 E. Main St., Avon, IN 46123 (317) 745-2504 • bartlettchapel.com Sunday Worship: 9:00 a.m.
EL-BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 7183 E. CR 100 N, Avon (317) 272-2097 www.el-bethelbaptist.net Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m.
HARVEST MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 4825 E. Main St., Avon IN 46123 Worship - 10:15 a.m. & 6 p.m.
WHITE LICK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2530 N CR 600 E, Avon. (317) 852-2840 www.whitelickpcusa.org. Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m.
BROWNSBURG CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Corner of Williams Dr. &Locust Dr., Brownsburg (317) 852-8013 Sunday Worship at 10:40 a.m.
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH 3175 N CR 900 E, Brownsburg, IN 46122 sgbaptist-brownsburg.org Sunday Worship, 10 & 11 a.m.; Wednesday 7 p.m.
THEWELL.COMMUNITY A Church of Christ 317-244-3974 554 Pitt Road, Brownsburg, IN 46112 Sunday Worship, 10:00 a.m.
CARTERSBURG COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Fellowship 9 a.m. Sunday Service 10 a.m.
CLAYTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH 5110 S SR 39, Clayton 317-539-4512 www.claytonchristian.org Sunday Worship 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.
CLAYTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Behind the Clayton Cafe 317-539-2036 www.claytonpres.org Sunday worship 9:00 a.m.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLAYTON 4797 Iowa St., Clayton, IN 46118 (317)539-6196 Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
COATESVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8052 Hadley Street 765-386-7245 Church Services 10 a.m.
COATESVILLE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 5105 Milton St., Coatesville (317) 828-1832 Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m.
COATESVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4863 North Milton, Coatesville, IN 46121 www.gbgm-umc.org/coatesville Sunday Worship Service - 10:45 a.m.
CALVARY CHAPEL OF DANVILLE 2165 E Main St, Danville, IN 317-745-7199 www.firmlyplanted.cc Services at 9 and 10:30 a.m.
DANVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 180 W. Main St. 317-745-2310 Sunday 10:30 Worship Service
DANVILLE FRIENDS CHURCH 45 N 200 E, Danville IN 46122 317-745-5348 danvillefriends.org Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m,
DANVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 820 W. Mill Street, Danville 317-745-4330 • www.danvilleumc.org Sunday: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.
MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH 1005 W. Main, Danville 317-745-4284 www.maryqueenofpeacedanville.org Sunday Masses at 8 and 10:30 a.m.
NORTHVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH 623 N. State Rd. 39, Danville 317-745-5990 www.northviewchristian.org Sunday Worship 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
ST. AUGUSTINE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 600 N. Washington Street, Danville, Ind. 317-745-2741 www.augies.indydio.org Sundays, 8 and 10 a.m., Holy Communion.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST COMMUNITY CHURCH OF HENDRICKS COUNTY 95 N. Jefferson St., Danville Service: 10 a.m. www.uucchc.org
WEST BRIDGE CHURCH 1521 S. CR 75 W, Danville, IN (317) 745-2266 www.westbridgedanville.com Sunday Service 9 and 10:30 a.m.
HADLEY FRIENDS CHURCH 2100 S Co Rd 450 W Coatesville. Worship at 10:30 a.m.
JAMESTOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST 110 W. Mill Street, Jamestown Phone 765-676-6404 www.jamestowncoc.com Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m., 4 p.m.
LIZTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 120 Brumfield Avenue, Lizton, IN 46149 317- 994-5363 www.liztonumc.org Sunday Worship - 9 a.m.
LIZTON CHRISTIAN CHURCH 202 N. Church, Lizton, Ind. 317-994-5239 Sunday Worship - 10 a.m.
NEW WINCHESTER CHRISTIAN CHURCH 53 S. State Road 75 Worship 10 a.m.
WHITESTONE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 8045 West U.S. Hwy 36 (317) 539-6029. Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m
EMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH 8350 St. Rd. 236, North Salem, IN 46165 317-531-3013 Sunday Services: 9:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
NORTH SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH 219 Ladoga Ave, North Salem, IN. 46165 Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m.
NORTH SALEM CHRISTIAN CHURCH 6 North California St., North Salem, IN 46165 765-676-6969 Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.
NORTH SALEM UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 104 West Pearl Street, North Salem, IN 46165 (765) 676-6501 Sunday Worship at 11:00 a.m.
PITTSBORO CHRISTIAN CHURCH 209 N. Meridian, Pittsboro, IN 46167 Sunday Worship - 10 a.m. 317-892-3245 www.pittsborochristian.org
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF PLAINFIELD 1012 Stafford Road, Plainfield, IN 46168 317-839-8163 firstbaptistplainfield.org Sunday worship: 9 a.m & 10:30 a.m
LIVING CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 4800 South CR 600 E, Plainfield, In 46168 317-839-4800 www.livingchristplainfield.com Worship Service 10:30 a.m.
ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 710 E. Buchanan Street, Plainfield, IN 46168 317-839-6730 www.stmarksweb.org Holy Eucharist every Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
PLAINFIELD FRIENDS CHURCH 105 S. East Street, Plainfield 317-839-6490 - http://www.plainfieldfriends.org Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. (in person or online)
YOUR VENTURE CHURCH 7865 N CR 100 E, Lizton, IN 46149 317-362-5428 www.yourventurechruch.org Sunday Services 9 & 11 a.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.
There is no charge for listings in the Church Directory. Send the following information: Name of Church, Street Address, Phone # and/or website, time of main worship service Please send any updates to betty@TheRepublicanNewspaper.com
