Fountain Area Community Center serves rural communities.

Pastor Richard and Lucinda Roberts

Fountain Area Community Center serves rural communities.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

FOUNTAIN — The Fountain Area Community Center, located at 3916 E. Main St., has been serving northeastern Mason County for the past two years. The center’s purpose is to serve as a gathering place and resource center for adults and children in the community. Pastor Richard Roberts of United Methodist Churches of Free Soil and Fountain, and his wife, Lucinda, started the center.

“I was traveling through here and the Lord had put it on my heart that this building could be a great help to the community and surrounding areas,” Pastor Richard said. “The building owner had heard about my vision and he got in touch with me and said he wanted to give us the building. It’s been a wonderful journey to bring people together. We don’t see denominational lines here, we just believe in Jesus and his glory.”

The center features a community room, available for free, where people can gather. It is open Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Next door is the Joy of Faith mission store, which features a variety of items. None of the items have prices on them.

The upstairs of the building features an activity room for children and teenagers, along with another gathering room.

The 110-year-old building is in need of much repair. Members of the Mason County Reformed Church recently volunteered to work on one of the rooms.

“It was a real blessing to have them here,” Lucinda said. “That is really our biggest need, volunteers to help us repair this building. We need new windows and electrical. There is always painting that needs to be done.”

Richard said he sees the center as a place to help people with their “spirit, soul and body.”

“There are a lot of people in our rural communities who need a gathering place and also need assistance,” he said. “Jesus wants us to be missionaries, but finding salvation when one is trying to survive is not always possible. We believe this center can help restore people.”

Nancy McDiarmid comes to the center frequently. She said she enjoys the fellowship there and also the fact that the center helps anyone, without question.

“They helped me when I needed a wash machine,” she said. “I had mentioned it to Pastor Richard, and the next thing I know, he and another gentleman show up at my house with a wash machine.”

Ruth Miller visits the center frequently, along with her family. “I felt the Lord has laid it on  our heart to come here once a week and bring food for families and to just be here for them,” she said.

Those wishing to help the center can call 231-277-8111. Donations may be sent to Free Soil/Fountain UMS Missions, PO Box 173, Free Soil, MI 49411 or through PayPal (see the center’s Facebook page for details).

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