Morning Star Baptist Church settles in Newell
Morning Star Baptist Church has found a new home in Newell, on the corner of Third and Long streets. The building is the former Our Lady of Perpetual Help, which had most recently served as a chapel for St. Sebastian Parish in Belle Vernon. It was purchased from the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, which closed the chapel last year.
Morning Star has held services for the last three years in the Morning Star Grange building until a permanent facility was found. The pastor and his congregation plan to minister to residents of Newell and the surrounding area.
The Rev. Harry Hill of Beulah Baptist Church in Greene County approached the Rev. Mitchell L. Wall about starting a missions church in the Grindstone/Perryopolis area. The first service was held on Aug. 15, 1999, at the Morning Star Grange building. Since then, the church has been actively providing Bible study, teen meets, gospel music nights, guest speakers and a youth ministry. They have also provided turkey dinners to the needy in the area and last year held a gospel concert at Cedar Creek Park with proceeds going to the Mon Valley Food Bank and Connect.
Morning Star Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist, Bible-preaching, Christ-centered church. Its aim, along with the congregation, is to lead people to Jesus, educating them in the Bible and providing a ministry where they can grow spiritually.
Rev. Wall has earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies at the Mon Valley Bible Institute and Cornerstone Bible College and is working toward a master’s degree. He has ministered as a gospel musician throughout the area and composes his own music. He is a member of the Steel Witness country gospel group.
Worship service is held on Saturday at 6 p.m. Sunday worship is at 10 a.m. Wednesday bible study is at 7 p.m. and a course entitled “Basic Christianity’ begins on Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. Sunday school classes and teen meets will begin in the fall.
An old-fashioned church picnic will be held on Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Jefferson Township Park. Activities will include a picnic lunch, games and gospel music by Steel Witness.
Steel Witness is a group of born-again Christian musicians dedicated to the ministry of the Gospel. Organized in January 2002, their members are sincere in what they do and committed to God.
Steel Witness presents a program of country gospel music, old and new, including original songs by Rev. Wall. The members include a group of seasoned musicians who have played in country music bands throughout the area for many years. The members are Lee Vuckovich on drums, Karl Nutt on pedal steel guitar, J.C. Muncer on lead guitar and vocals, Alan Coldiron on bass guitar and vocals, Beverly Coldiron as background and lead vocals. Rev. Wall leads the group on guitar and vocals.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. will be he opening of the Morning Star Caf?, a Christian-based coffeehouse that will be held every Saturday in the basement of the church. The coffeehouse allows an alternative place for adults to fellowship and to enjoy good entertainment by local Christian gospel groups and singers.
Morning Star Church sponsors an annual gospel music festival entitled “Harvest Jam’ that will be held on Sept. 22 at 11:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Cedar Creek Park, located off Route 51 in Rostraver Township, weather permitting. Several offerings will be taken throughout the day with all proceeds going to ARK, the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Belle Vernon. Gospel groups include Modern Day Hero, BAC Quartet, Joyful Noise, 3 Thirty 3, Ten Point Ten and Steel Witness. This event is to worship and promote church growth throughout the area. Food will not be sold on the concert grounds. Guests are invited to bring a picnic lunch and lawn chairs.
For more information, contact Rev. Wall at 724-938-2712 or Angel Zueger at 724-785-8513.