The small Choteau (Mont.) Church congregation saved and searched for an official church sign they could afford until Dan Nelson agreed to make it for a considerable savings.
Nelson cut each brass letter and the logo and welded the rest of the sign in his farm shop during the winter slowdown. The finished sign sits on concrete posts buried three feet deep, ensuring that the sign can withstand wind up to 100 mph.
The sign replaces an old one that Ray Nelson, Dan's father, made 40 years ago. Ray, now 89, even dug one of the post-holes for the new sign.The sign replaces an old one that Ray Nelson, Dan's father, made 40 years ago. Ray, now 89, even dug one of the post-holes for the new sign.
The sign is not the only answered prayer for the church. For many years member Christy Nelson prayed, “God, send a family to Choteau with kids that are the ages of mine....My kids need church friends.”
Far away in Pennsylvania, Darrell and Bonnie Taylor didn’t realize they were God's answer. Darrell knew he wanted to take his family out west, away from the influences of the city, but Bonnie was not so easy to convince.
Darrell found property in Fairfield, Mont. He also found a buyer for his business, but Bonnie set her foot down. “We are not going unless we can sell our house for full price within two months." The house sold within the first week, so they headed west where they became involved in the Choteau Church.
“The Taylor family is the answer to my prayers” Christy said.