March 28, 2024

Least of Saints Ministry finds forever home

On its third try, the Least of Saints Ministry has found its forever home. After starting at the former Axtell care dealership and then moving downtown, the ministry will now be located at the Iron Sharpens Iron Church, 1305 E. 10th St. S.

The relocation was a few months in the making, said Pastor Scott Greene. Once he found out the building his ministry was located in had sold, he knew a move was coming and started looking around the city.

“The people that bought it have a different situation they want to do in that building,” Greene said. “We had looked around town to find something that would work for us and every time we thought we had something, it just was not going to work out. Whether it was too expensive or too much work on it, just these things would stop it.”

During the search process, Greene said he “gave it up to God” to let Him handle the deal. While still looking, Greene got a call from Richard and Cheryl Palmer at Iron Sharpens Iron about an offer to have Least of Saints join them at their church.

“It is a miracle, it is God’s work and it is a miracle that this went on,” Green said. “It is a gift from God is what it is.”

Green said he had known Richard Palmer for quite a few years but never expected the generous offer.

“We have a lot of the same goals in ministry and once we sat down and talked to them, it was just amazing how much we have in common,” Palmer said. “I don’t think you could have picked two churches to join any better.”

The timing of the offer was key for both parties with Green saying he didn’t know if he was ready until now.

“I think what happened is they would have made this phone call sooner but there were a few hurdles they had on their end that they needed to get around and one that was corrected they called us,” Greene said. “This whole thing is God’s timing.”

Services for Least of Saints remain at 5 p.m. on Saturdays with Bible studies during the week. Greene also said the two ministries plan to work together on events in the future, including outdoor activities on the properties acreage.

With the move, the ministry will no longer be in downtown Newton and centrally located parishioners. Greene said he isn’t worried about the change in location and has a good feeling about the future of Least of Saints.

“It will change things because we won’t be right downtown but I have a feeling that God is going to do tremendous things out there now that we have moved there,” Green said. “If it is a bigger congregation, that is great, but it just brings a new excitement to the congregation and to myself along with a renewed sense of motivation.”

Known as a “biker church,” Greene thought there may be hurdles to joining a traditional church setting. Upon arriving at the church, he said he was humbled by the acceptance he felt and the excitement for what was to come.

“When I walked in Sunday to do their service, I knew they have had people who have attended the church for years and years,” Greene said. “I walked in and said ‘good morning ladies, I’m Pastor Scott,’ and they said we know who you are and we’ve been waiting for you, we thank God you showed up. As much as people say you get stereotyped, apparently I must do that, too, because I had the impression these were the three I needed to win over to let them know, I know what I appear to be but I am a faithful man. I didn’t even have to tell them that, they showed me all of the love you can imagine.”

Mostly, Greene is excited to get started. Not having a looming eviction over his head anymore, the sky is the limit for the partnership.

“It is an exciting move, the pressure is off about where are you going to go next and when it will happen,” Greene said. “We are grateful and we are happy and we’re excited about the future.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newondailynews.com