GRANTS - “We're real excited to be here - to be part of this community. We loved the Dallas area but were blown away by the beauty of the high desert here,” said Matthew Clark about living in Cibola County. The Clark family is originally from The Colony, 25 miles north of Dallas, Texas. He, wife Jana and their two daughters enjoy family outings to Mount Taylor and “take advantage of all the outdoor stuff here.”

Mathew Clark, wife Jana, daughter Jadyn in front of Matthew, and daughter Chloe.BEACON / BOYETT

    Clark and family appreciate the community's friendly reception and the area's cultural diversity. The pastor of Grants Church of Christ since January, 2008, Clark said this is his first paid ministerial position.

    Jana commented, “We are very pleased with the education our daughters receive at Mount Taylor School. We feel blessed with such a school for our children.” Jadyn, a third grader, will be nine this week. Her sister Chloe is in kindergarten

    Grants Church of Christ was established more than six decades ago and is located at 920 North First St. 285-7446. There are 85 members and ages range from those in their 80s to families recently blessed with newborn babies. Describing the people attending worship, the minister remarked, “This church is a very peaceful place. The congregation is very compassionate and welcoming - our doors are open to everyone.”  He furnished church doctrine details, “We believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and try to pattern our daily lives after Jesus' teachings.”

    According to Clark the congregation sponsors community functions for young people such as Fellowship Christian Athletes, which meet each Wednesday morning in the old high school gym. The weekly Wednesday evening youth programs include bus transportation for 35-40 teenagers to and from the church. Other community activities: services are conducted at the women's prison each Sunday; at Good Samaritan Wednesday evening bible study classes and Sunday morning services are offered; church elders visit hospital patients; several women from the congregation are Grants Community Pantry volunteers.

    When he was a teenager, Matthew's family moved to The Colony. He completed high school there prior to college. The Clarks met as students at Lubbock Christian University.

    Jana's educational background is pre-med and psychology. With their daughters in school, she completed Splanka therapist training earlier this year. Her business goals include a website and business cards available in January. Presently, most of her clients live outside the immediate area. She clarified this type of therapy, “The best way to describe Splanka is a God-centered, mind-body-spirit therapy. It is a way to become more free and whole as a human being. The freedom Splanka has brought me is unbelievable.”

    For Jana, the Sunday morning ceremony Call to Worship is the best way to begin each week. She characterized it, “We start with the commandments to love and serve God and to love our fellow man.” In welcoming area residents to Grants Church of Christ the pastor said, “Our doors are open to everyone - wherever you find yourself in your life.”