NEWS

Cross Pointe church asks community to pray, shop

Spencer Remoquillo
Reporter
Bobbie Friend, left, and Donald Shipley shop at For Goodness Sake in Lancaster. The store is run by Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church, which was recently hit with a botulism outbreak.

LANCASTER – Since Laura Johnston was 6 years old, she has been part of the Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church congregation — a congregation that recently had its faith tested when a rare disease overtook a portion of its members at a church potluck more than a week ago.

"I did visit some of the people in the hospital, and their spirits are very high," Johnston said. "It's amazing to see what God and healing can do."

MORE: Cross Pointe pastor talks about botulism outbreak

Johnston, now 22, is unharmed and seeking help for those who did fall ill with botulism.

According to the latest statistics, there are 21 confirmed botulism cases, including the death of Rushville resident Kennetha "Kim" Shaw, and 10 other suspected cases.

Johnston said there are two ways the community can help: pray and shop, specifically at their church-run furniture and antique store on East Main Street.

Johnston is the managing director of For Goodness Sake, which is a store that collects donations to sell for a profit. That profit then pays a group of teenagers an hourly wage to clean homes and do other chores at no cost for people who cannot manage it themselves. The program is called YouthWorksOhio.

For Goodness Sake, 647 E. Main St., opened three years ago and has employed 15 teens, who have helped 250 families since.

Donald Shipley, left, and Bobbie Friend shop at For Goodness Sake in Lancaster. The store is run by Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church, which was recently hit with a botulism outbreak.

In December, the store grew its retail space to include an additional 1,500-square-foot space. The idea, Johnston said, was to have space to sell more items to be able to help more families.

With the recent botulism outbreak, Johnston's own church family is in need. On Monday, she said church officials decided that after the store pays for operating costs — including the teens' wages so they can continue their work — the leftover proceeds will go toward the church relief fund.

MORE: State says potato salad likely cause of botulism case

"When they get back home, if they need anything, we can get it for them," she said.

The church started a relief fund last week to help the more than two dozen church members in the hospital.

Johnston said it would help if the community came to shop at the store or just came in to make a donation.

"One person from a couple hours away came into tell us that people from all over Ohio are praying for the church," she said. "We know there's a lot of support here in Lancaster and all over the United States."

For more information about the store and youth program, go to YouthWorksOhio.org.

sroush@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4342

Twitter: @SpencerRoushLEG

For Goodness Sake hours

•Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

•Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.