Church helps Rocky Boy Lutherans with new van

Havre Daily News/Lindsay Brown

Linda Webster, pastor for Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, sits in the driver's seat in the new church van.

A gift that will greatly benefit everyone at a Rocky Boy church arrived Thursday, in time to celebrate Easter Sunday.

Our Savior's Lutheran Church was in desperate need of a newer passenger van to transport its congregation members and visiting groups, Pastor Linda Webster said. One of the two vans in the church's fleet had severe engine problems too costly to fix.

Upon hearing about the plight of Our Savior, American Lutheran Church in Billings donated surplus funds from a remodeling project so that Our Savior's could purchase the vehicle.

Webster says that Our Savior's depends on the kind support of other churches to fulfill its work. Donations in the past have included a copy machine, which allowed Our Savior's to print more newsletters.

"We get support from congregations all over the U.S.," Webster said. "They make ministry here possible through their generosity."

The church needed a second van capable of carrying 15 passengers and that had running boards, so that elderly people could enter and exit more easily. A box heater was important, too.

In addition to taking passengers to Sunday service, the van will be used to pick up visiting servant groups from Havre Amtrak Station or Great Falls Airport. It will also be used to take church-sponsored trips and for Vacation Bible School.

Council member Lisa Crain said that the newer van is an excellent addition to the church's fleet. "It's a lot better than the van we had," she said. The church plans to sell the older van as is or for parts.

Charlie Steinmetz of Havre Ford delivered the sparkling white 2012 Ford E-350 Super Duty XLT Wagon to the church.

"Happy to provide a quality vehicle to serve the members of Our Savior's Lutheran Church," he said.