Published: June 13, 2008 11:09 pm      

Church celebrates milestone

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — One local church recently celebrated a milestone — for the past 35 years, Mike Sheets has been the minister of Meadowbrook Christian Church.

Meadowbrook Christian Church was established in 1958, holding its first meeting in a tavern on Fairfield Road.

In its first business meeting, those present agreed to accept help from Boyd Christian Church in order to purchase 5 1/2 acres on Meadowbrook Road by Meadowbrook farms on the east side of Mt. Vernon. On July 19, 1958, the congregation broke ground for a new building, and on July 27, 1958, membership was opened for charter members of Meadowbrook Church of Christ.

By October 1958, the congregation was able to meet in the new basement, and by November, members were enjoying services in the new auditorium. In June 1959, the congregation dedicated the building to the “Service of God and Jesus Christ.”

In the beginning, the church had men from surrounding areas to preach for the services.

Some of these men were Emmet Wood from Central Christian Church, Mr. H. William Newell, Ralph Marteeny from Boyd Christian Church, Dr. York, Professor Denver Sizemore, Brother Clarence Taylor and James Taylor, Don Hargrave from Landsdowne Church of Christ in East St. Louis, and Verneil Garren.

Mike and his wife, Janet, came to the church in 1972, along with daughters Jennifer and Annie. Since that time, the Sheetses have not only become a part of Meadowbrook Christian Church, but also valued members of the community.

According to information from Jerry Jones, Mike has been in charge of Christmas baskets for Christmas for the Needy for a number of years. Under his direction, she states, “Meadowbrook has been a very active church in the community,” serving at soup kitchens, collecting for People Against Violent Environments and sponsoring American Red Cross blood drives, among others.

He also ministers to residents at Green Tree and Countryside Manor.

“He’s a wonderful man,” said Emma Lou Pasley, who has been a member of Meadowbrook since 1974. “And Janet, his wife — they’re a great couple.” Pasley said she still attends services at the church and tries to be as active as she can be. All her family members, she added, except for a daughter who lives in Missouri, attend the church. “We fill up a long pew when we’re all there,” she said.

Sheets and his family, she continued, are a big reason Pasley feels as if she is attending family reunions at the church. “He’s a very gentle man, a nice man, and interested in anyone and their problems and their family. Our church is a friendly church. I feel like every time I go to church I’m going to a family reunion. We’ve just really enjoyed their family, and he’s a good preacher and real caring minister —not just for the church family, but anyone he comes in contact with.”

“He’s a fantastic person. He does so much in the community,” remarked Jones. “We’re so proud of him.”

Meadowbrook Christian Church has gone through several renovations. Other churches’ baptisteries have been used until one was finally added to their building. Four years ago, the church saw a new auditorium, which seats 200, and a full basement and offices.

Janet Sheets plays piano for church services each Sunday and also teaches some of the young children at Meadowbrook. Mike Sheets also holds the measuring chains at Mt. Vernon Township High School Rams football games and is also involved with the Jefferson County Ministerial Association.

Their daughter Jennifer is married to David, a minister in Catlin. They have three children, David, Annie and Matthew.

Daughter Annie lives in Bloomington, information from Jones states, and works for State Farm.

Mike’s father, Lee, lives in Urbana and is a retired jeweler. Janet’s mother, Thelma Slaughter, lives in Mt. Vernon. Janet also has two aunts, Ellen and Elaine.

Their congregation now averages just under 100 people.