CHURCH PROMISE PUTS PREACHER ON ROOFTOP

The Rev. Jack Owens climbed a ladder Saturday afternoon to deliver his message from the roof of the New Life Gospel Center at Scott City.

More commonly known as "Pastor Jack," Owens was keeping his end of a deal made with the congregation.

"I told the congregation if we had a record attendance for Easter services that I would preach from the rooftop," Pastor Jack said.

Average Sunday attendance is around 80, but the audience swelled to 118 for Easter services.

Owens and his father started the New Life Gospel Ministry in Scott City in 1962. After serving in other areas, Owens returned to Scott City in 1992.

"We (New Life Gospel Center) have more than doubled in attendance over the past year and are still growing," said church secretary Konnie Keller.

Keller helped with the food distribution program at the church before she began attending. The church distributes food to some 80 to 100 families monthly.

"This is a wonderful bunch of people," said Owens wife, Shirley. "You can call on them at any time and they are ready to help."

Owens chose this particular Saturday for his rooftop sermon so it would coincide with a retirement celebration for one of the church members, Larry Taylor.

"The doctor told me not to climb," said Owens, but I had to keep my promise. I was shaking in my boots the whole time, but I made it."