After six months of prayer and careful consideration, the congregation of Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish has decided how it will use a $1 million gift left to the church by a longtime Whitefish resident.

Roger A. Wold, a former railroader who lived a simple, reclusive life prior to his death in February 2012, designated the $1 million bequest to Christ Lutheran Church in his will. The congregation was astounded by Wold’s generosity and committed to 40 days of prayer before beginning an extensive process of considering how to use the gift.

At the end of the 40 days, the congregation was surveyed and several discussion sessions were held for church members to brainstorm their ideas, Senior Pastor John Bent said. The church council collated the ideas and put together an allocation plan.

On April 27, the congregation overwhelmingly approved that plan.

“None of the gift will be used in the general budget or daily expenses of our congregation,” Bent said. “It will all be put to work to expand ministry and care for others within our congregation, our local community and the world.”   

Outreach ministries and missions, both local and international, will receive $200,000, and the church council will determine the disbursement of that money with input from church members.

Shepherd’s Hand Free Clinic, a ministry based at Christ Lutheran that offers medical and dental services as well as a wellness program, will receive $100,000.

“The remainder will be used for expanding our onsite ministry by improving handicap accessibility, purchase of a handicap-accessible church shuttle bus for youth and senior ministries, and building improvement and expansion to enhance our youth and worship ministries,” Bent said.

The congregation voted to re-evaluate a building expansion plan that could add a sanctuary to the church building. Since it was built in 2006 worship services have been held in the multipurpose room designed for youth and family ministries.

Throughout the process, the church’s goal was to be a good steward of the generous gift, Bent said.

“From the beginning we saw this gift as a test from the Lord,” he said. “Jesus told the story of the steward who was rewarded for his faithfulness with greater responsibility.”

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at [email protected].