North Star Child Advocacy Center receives large donation from churches

PARKERSBURG -- North Star Child Advocacy Center has received a donation of $6,454, the proceeds from a recent nine-church revival.

Pastors from five of the churches delivered the donation in person to the advocacy center.

"I was speechless," Executive Director Greg Collins said.

It was the largest gift to the advocacy center ever made during Collins' tenure.

"When I heard they were collecting some of their offerings for us for a second time this year, I was excited to think we might see $1,000 or so. When Pastor Adam (Hall) said what the amount of the check this time was, I didn't think I heard him correctly," Collins said. "How do you begin to thank, not only the

Some of the pastors have been to the advocacy center and have heard from Collins about what the center does and how bad the stories of abuse can be. Pastors who were first-time visitors wanted to hear it for themselves.

"Ever since we first heard about the work being done at North Star, we have been passionate about supporting them with our different missions and offerings," Pastor Adam Hall of Faith Gospel Church said "Jesus loved and valued the wellbeing of children and something like this donation is the least we can do."

The group was told about successes with law enforcement and Child Protective Services and not all children disclose abuse in a forensic interview.

Faith Gospel parishioner Barb Gunschm, who coordinates the church's monthly donations of requested supplies to the advocacy center, was present for the presentation.

"God worked through me about North Star," Gunsch said. "We were looking for a place to donate to. I heard about North Star and took a tour. God changed my heart for our church to give. God works wonders."

At the end of the tour, Pastor Daniel Ahart of the Work of God Ministries led the group in prayer for North Star, its staff and team and the children who visit the center for services.

"The message that our churches and their parishioners support North Star, and its mission means everything to us," Collins said. "At one point, the group prayed that angels surround our center, I believe that has already happened," concludes Collins.

Churches participating in the weeklong revival were Faith Gospel Church, New Life Baptist Church, Word of God Ministries Church, Southside Southern Baptist Church, Heart of Worship, 14th Avenue Gospel Mission Church, South Parkersburg United Methodist Church, Big Island Run Church and Drift Run Church.

The non-profit North Star serves five counties, the most of any child advocacy center in the state. GThe advocacy center does not have a consistent form of funding, even though it is a critical component in child crime investigations.

For more information, go to northstarcac.org.