Church has new pastor, new name
My Father’s House will host special service Sunday
A Glace Bay church has a new name because members of the congregation liked the sound of it.
“I wasn’t part of the process of the name change of the church but from my understanding it came to be as people liked how ‘I’m going to My Father’s House’ sounded,” said pastor Melvin Wheaton.
“In Christianity, we refer to God as Father. That was the name that stood out that everyone seemed to like.”
Wheaton is pastor of My Father’s House, where the former Bethel Family Church was located, at 83 Reserve St. Glace Bay
Wheaton, originally from Newfoundland, has lived in New Brunswick and Alberta and for the past 10 years, as well as Nova in the Lockeport area of the South Shore. The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada asked if he would consider letting his name stand for Glace Bay. Wheaton packed his bags.
It had been five to six years since the church had a minister.
“As they say the rest is history,” Wheaton added.
The church holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays and Sunday School runs at the same time. Bible study is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and the church is open for prayer Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
“We’d love for those in the community to come check us out,” he said.
The official name will be celebrated during the 10:30 a.m. service on Sunday, which is also
Pentecost Sunday.
“We will have some cake and juice afterwards to celebrate the official release of the name.”
Wheaton said they will be passing out pens and offering envelopes with their new name on it.
“We will be extending our arm of fellowship out to all our members who have taken out membership.”
In the meantime, Wheaton said they want to get word out there that My Father’s Church is there for people in need.
“If anyone is in need out there we would do our best to help them regardless of who they are or where they are at in life,” he said.
“Sometimes someone needs a helping hand, and if we’re able to help them along then we’d like to let them know we are there to do that.”
Wheaton said they have partnered with the Glace Bay Food Bank. Every month the food bank informs them of a few items they are low on.
“We gather together as a church to get these items and take them to the food bank.”
The church also welcomes residents to their community playground in back of the church that includes some
equipment specifically for children with handicaps.
“Even if they are older they are able to fit into some of the swings there.”
However, as they move forward Wheaton has a vision for the downstairs of the church where Jocelyn Ogden has set up a sensory room for autistic children.
The area is not wheelchair accessible, which is an issue, he said.
“Part of my vision is to see that get used not only by our church but also by the community.”
Wheaton said they will be looking into funding options and have already met with a contractor to get some quotes on different possibilities such as for a lift inside.
“We want everybody to be able to access the downstairs and the main level sanctuary.”