PEA RIDGE — Working together, members of the Pea Ridge United Methodist Church paid the mortgage of the parsonage in only two and a half years.

“Our people have been faithful to give even in the face of hardship. They were thinking it may take 10 to 15 years to pay it off.

They were worried to death they couldn’t handle the payment each month,” Matt Daniels, pastor, said.

Daniels, who also pastors Brightwater United Methodist, and his wife hosted an open house at theparsonage at 626 Asboth and had a mortgage burning celebration.

The new house, a three-bedroom, two-bath brick house in Windmill Estates is 1,980-square feet. It was purchased in July 2007 after many years of dreaming and collecting money. Over 10-years, the congregation raised $50,000.

In 2006, Winnie Shelton died and left $45,000 to the church. The $70,000 mortgage was paid Oct.

25, 2009.

“There were not any large donations. There were a couple of about $5,000,” Daniels said. “It was just solid stewardship and giving on a regular basis. That’s what makes me so proud of them.”

Money donated toward paying for the parsonage was above and beyond regular giving, Daniels said.

Over the years Daniels has been pastor, the church membership and regular attendance have increased.

“We’ve had four babies born over the last year,” Daniels said.

“We’re focusing on what we can do outside the church. Sunday mornings is where you come to celebrate what you’ve been doing all week long.”

Now, the church will look towards expanding the facilities at the church on North Davis Street.

The older parsonage, constructed in the 1950s, was removed this year.

News, Pages 1 on 12/23/2009