| OCR Text |
Show June 1 03.qxd 12/7/2021 4:05 PM Page 4 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 4 Volume VIII Issue IV June 1, 2003 So Much More Than a Building Project By Drienie Hattingh, The man on the ladder is dressed in overalls that are stained with paint, dirt, and sweat. His hands are the hands of a laborer— rough and weathered by hard work. The expression on his face is intense and serious as he looks at the blue print again. He followed the plan, right through the building project to the very last detail. The church building project that he spearheaded and worked during the last year is almost done but in addition, this man built something else that did not require wood, nails, bricks, stone, or a building plan. During the last four years he built something that required love, truth, humility, a steadfast faith in God. The blue print that he followed, to the very last detail, was the word of God—the Bible. ly, they gave the sense, and they caused them to understand the reading.” Pastor Dominic clarifies. “We expose people to the word of place would be. It would be in a pristine, unspoiled valley located between the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah. ********** In the fall of 1999 the leadership of the church began looking for a piece of land that might be suitable for a church. In May of 2000, Fellowship Bible Church purchased 2.25 acres of land on Hwy.162 in Liberty. The serious commitment of the Goninos and their new church family was evident—the property was completely paid for in 22 months. Ground breaking began on June 16, 2002. Pastor Dom recounts his feelings back then. “We all felt that taking on a project of this size, desiring to do most of the work on the building ourselves, could have be a fearful thing. But we had such peace that the Lord was leading and that He would provide for us along the way.” The church’s attendance grew to about 50 people who were very optimistic about the church building project, and that optimism Pastor Gonino (far right standing) and a hard working crew from the Fellowship Bible congregation. Contruction of the Fellowship Church. There is a great many of unusual careers in this world of ours. One that not many people are familiar with is the occupation of “Church Planting.” Right here in the Valley lives an Italian Pastor who felt at an early age that God called him to do this exceptional work. Pastor Dominic and Elaine Gonino are “career missionaries” with a church planting mission board called Biblical Ministries Worldwide of Lawrenceville, Georgia. Pastor Dominic explains that Nehemiah 8:8 is the verse from the bible that defines the mission of Bible-teaching churches. “So they read in the book of the Law of God distinct- God and we give them understanding to what the Word of God says, and allow the spirit of God to do what He wants to do in the hearts of God’s people.” One just has to listen to one of Pastor Dominic’s dynamic, forceful and earnest sermons to realize that he is deeply passionate about his calling and his love for God’s Word. The first church that this missionary couple “planted” and then pastored kept them busy for eleven years. At that time, Pastor Dominic felt that their job was done at the Richfield Bible Church, and that they were needed elsewhere. But Pastor Dom and Elaine had a job to do. They had to go where God called them to be next and they knew exactly where that For many years a family in the Upper Ogden Valley had been in contact with the Goninos, asking if they would consider coming to the Valley to start a church. Several families from the Valley were traveling a great distance to attend a church with similar beliefs. So it came to be that the Goninos and their two children left Richfield and moved to Liberty to begin a church called Fellowship Bible Church. There were 25 people in attendance at that first service held on February 7, 1999 in the band room of Snowcrest Jr. High School in Eden. The congregation would use the school band room for almost five years, hoping and praying that some day they would be able to worship God in their own church building. Church as it nears completion. never left. It was evident again on the day when they broke ground for the new church, and it was clearly manifest in their generous contributions through the years to pay for the materials and work as the project continued. The gratefulness toward God was almost tangible as the congregation met in the Snowcrest band room on the May 18, three Sundays prior to the dedication. Pastor Dom asked everyone to come and help clean the church on the following Friday and Saturday. There were excited exclamations as if the congregation realized for the first time that it was really happening! Or perhaps their BIBLE CHURCH cont. on page 12 "Ogden Valley Swap Meet" Sat. June 21st 9:00 a.m. - Noon at Eden Park Reserve your spot now! Reservation forms available at the Eden and Huntsville Post Offices. For info call 745-1389 or e-mail at: flintster5@msn.com or gilconst@konnections.net NEW! LUNCH SPECIAL PIZZA BY THE SLICE! Soft Serve Ice Cream Introductory 25 c cones - Try ONE Today - Sundaes DAM SPECIAL AGAIN! 50 c OFF WASATCH PAVING NEW! (JUST A REMINDER COMPLETION OF PROJECTS BEFORE CLOSURE WILL SAVE YOU MONEY) Not Valid for Delivery ~ Please present this coupon ~ Expires 6/30/03 We Deliver Hours: Open Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sun. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 4920 E. 2550 N. Eden Located behind Iverson Dental Asphalt Application, Maintenance, Repair 745-3006 |
