'The Well' Receives a Crew of Helping Hands

Among the residences on the north side of Sidney stands a church building, a building acquired by prayer and private support.

A crew of workers from Mississippi recently spent a week at the church providing a much-needed facelift.

Billy Matkins, group leader, said the group was connected with The Well, through Terry and Dana Pickins of their North American Missions Board.

The Pickins call themselves fulltime missionaries. He left his electrical and plumbing business, and she walked away from her pharmacy career to be of service.

“We just quit and left,” the said.

They met Justin Brown, pastor of The Well, after asking some Colorado Baptist pastors of there are any churches that need some help.

“It’s been good,” Brown said. “They got in late Friday (June 5). We’ve been running all week.”

The work includes new paint in the sanctuary, a handicap ramp, a new ADA-compliant bathroom, sound room, windows and work on the kitchen.

The work is done by volunteers with history from various trades.

“We see a need. We’re all mission-minded,” he said.

“I would say about half of us are retired,” Matkins said.

Matkins is a master builder with other projects underway and usually leads the team. He officially retired in 2010, but hasn’t stopped working.

I’ve been doing mission trips since 1995,” he said.

He said he usually takes one major mission trip each year.

Their home church and churches in the area supported this project with funding for the fuel, the bus and cost of supplies.