The Rev. Paul Harris, pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church, is excited about the changes that have been made in his church since he took over in 2013.

Since he accepted his position, he's had offices cleared, the sanctuary replastered and the fellowship hall is primed and ready for a fresh coat of paint.

The kitchen has been completely revamped and received a new boiler. All this has been in preparation to accommodate the new ministries he and his church family have created.

“We've developed these for both the community and the church,” he said.

What he's referring to are several ministries, which are intended to address needs of Jeannette-area residents.

Late last month, the church held the “Ultimate Yard Sale,” both inside and outside the church, where people could shop for clothes and household items at prices reduced even from average yard sale prices.

The proceeds went to paint the sanctuary to modernize it and make it more welcoming.

On June 16, the church will begin a food program for children, who will be able to eat both lunch and dinner for free. Anyone interested in this, or other activities, offered can contact the church at 724-523-3511.

The church is continuing another food ministry in which residents of the Jeannette area can purchase $100 worth of food for $25. There is no income requirement. The church has purchased a van that will help transport the food from the area storage facility and thanks to the revamped kitchen, more food can be stored in Jeannette.

Harris said the “Jonah Fish Fry Ministry” will begin in late June or July, in which the church will sell fish dinners and the funds gathered will be utilized for scholarships for students in Jeannette.

In addition, a ministry to battle illiteracy in Jeannette is planned and its development is still in its infancy. Harris said the number of those who struggle with the ability to read is “way too high for us to be content.” The challenge, he said, is when to implement the program, with students and adults so often committed to other activities.

Harris is involved in education in his other job, as well. At Alcoa, where he works as the human resource director, has provided grants to area schools to help teachers implement Common Core instruction.

Harris is serious about his commitment to the City of Jeannette. He and his church members have been studying “The Purpose Driven Church,” by Rick Warren.

“The church is on a mission to discover our purpose in Jeannette,” he said.

So far, he and church members have discovered two purposes, according to Harris those purposes are “to call on the lost and to equip saints for evangelization.”

Harris said these purposes stem from “a sincere desire to show love.” He said his desire is to meet the needs of the community specifically and help in making things better for Jeannette.

Harris said his church is a “reverse-tithing church,” which means 10 percent of all they bring in, returns to the community.

Zion Hill Baptist Church is located at 102 Clay Ave. in Jeannette, next to City Hall. Visitors are always welcome. Sunday school starts at 9 a.m. with worship beginning at 10.

Maria Tyger is a contributing writer.

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