Local News
Friday, November 06, 2009
Marking 30 years of faith in FostoriaStaff Writer
Donald Goodwin is considered more than just the pastor of the Fostoria Church of God — he’s often considered the pastor of all of Fostoria.
A proclamation to be presented to him by Mayor John Davoli on Saturday in celebration of his 30th anniversary of bringing faith to Fostoria citizens states just that and declares November 7, 2009 “Pastor Donald Goodwin Day.”
And it is of very good reason that he holds this hefty title: it is Goodwin to whom the city turns to in times of need.
Goodwin serves the city alongside the Fostoria Police and Fire Departments as chaplain, offering refuge to those who have experienced hardship or distress, such as victims of fires and natural disaster, and by offering his shoulder to cry on after he delivers the unfortunate news of loss.
He has even taken the same oath as local police officers and firefighters have to protect and serve the people of Fostoria, which he takes very seriously and proudly displays on his office wall.
His road here was not short, though, and took him from his home state of Indiana to Florida back to the Midwest where he eventually settled with wife Janice and daughters Mellany, Tammy, and Mary Bauman, whom he considers as a daughter.
Goodwin began his faith-driven ministry in 1965 as the pastor of several churches in cities including West Lafayette and Lima before stumbling upon a fledgling church in Fostoria in 1979.
This landing wasn’t so sure, as he and wife Janice had their eyes on a Clio, Mich. church and weren’t planning on making their stop here as permanent as it became.
“It had to be the Lord that brought us here because we weren’t planning on staying,” said Goodwin. “But the same day we saw it, we took it.”
The Fostoria Church of God had been struggling for quite some time before it landed in the hands of Goodwin and had been without a pastor for nearly a year with had a dwindling membership rate in the single digits.
“The city really felt to me like it needed some type of spiritual revival.” said Goodwin. “It was that and the fact that the people were so kind that helped us make our decision to come.”
Under his guidance, the church has grown in size and capacity over the years, formerly inhabiting a smaller multi-level Summit Street building before finally settling into their West Tiffin Street location. The former Sears, Roebucks and Co. was remodeled by members and benefitted from the donations of members and businesses who wished to see its success.
Now the church boasts a membership of over 100 and sees even more non-members come through its doors each week at various programs including the Coffee House Ministries, which is hosted every other Sunday and features musical talent as well as affordable cafe-style drinks.
“The program has been very successful because of the music and the diversity of the people that come in,” Goodwin said. “We don’t particularly stick to our denomination and have invited Methodists and other denominations to perform and enjoy.”
In his 30 years in Fostoria, Goodwin has worked his way into the hearts of many and is known for his jovial demeanor and innate ability to lift spirits.
“He’s the kind of person that no matter if you’re having a terrible day, he just has this glow about him, that you can’t help but smile,” said Diane Lind, executive secretary for Fostoria.
Mayor John Davoli reflected fondly on their 10-year-long friendship.
“When things happen in town he’s always there to comfort people, especially in times of loss,” he said.
The Fostoria Church of God will host an open house noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, during which Pastor Goodwin will be presented with the proclamation declaring the day “Pastor Donald Goodwin Day” in a special ceremony. The event is open to the public.
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Ph: (419) 435-6641 • Fax: (419) 435-9073
113 E. Center St. • P.O. Box 947
Fostoria, OH 44830
The Findlay Publishing Company
P.O. Box 609
Findlay, OH 45839-0609
Phone: (419) 422-5151
www.findlaypublishing.com
Please read our privacy guidelines
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