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Evangelist Timothy Van Hook, who has set up shop in the old Decatur school, was in town last week to continue the renovation of the school and to introduce his family to the town. Van Hook, who comes from Somerset, Ky., has been working off and on for several months to build a family dwelling into the south end of the main building, as well as prepare the facility for a number of ministries he would like to bring to the community.
His wife, Linda, and grandchildren Elijah and Seth, who accompanied him this time, spent the two-week visit checking out the building, playground equipment and entertaining an array of callers who stopped by to meet them. A highlight of their trip to Nebraska was a day spent at the Henry Doorly Zoo. "It was a delightful side trip," Linda said.
Linda said she found the work it will take to turn the old school into the Amazing Grace Mission almost overwhelming, but "it will be exciting to be part of the ministry that will be given here. The people here have been so nice to us, I am looking forward to it," she said.
The two boys, having come from a bigger city, enjoyed the freedom they had to go in and out and play, and also the area youngsters who joined them on the playground.
Van Hook is hoping to open a Christian school here next year and follow it with a number of ministries to children of all ages in need and to help the elderly. Van Hook says James 1:27 describes his mission: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the father…is this…To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
"I just want to help people," he said.
Van Hook is currently planning a "camp meeting" for the community that would begin Sunday, Sept. 20, and run through the 30th. It will mark the beginning of his outreach in the Decatur area.
Progress on the construction work suffered a severe setback last Tuesday when an underground water pipe burst. The soaked ground forced gallons of water to enter Burgess Medical Clinic, garage and new gym. Van Hook, who had left the Decatur area for home before the flood, said he was very thankful to Earldean Kimbrell and her son, Joseph, of Georgia, and Gene and Christine Olson for their help in dealing with the problem. The Kimbrells have been living at the school and helping with the renovation.
Van Hook also had thanks for Rex Sears who gave him a helping hand when he first arrived in Decatur and all the help Mike and Doris McCormick and the members of the Word of Life Church had given him. Van Hook is looking forward to becoming an active participant in the community.