Carpenter for Christ

This story is a follow-up to a UI Connections story in May, 2025. 

Blanding restart gets help with VBS and building projects

Blanding, UT – In May, UI Connections and Karen Willoughby did a story about what God is doing to revitalize a church in Blanding, Utah. We encourage you to go back and read that story. This is an update on some of the unfinished projects and their progress. Plus the renovation of the church parsonage by an amazing team of volunteers from Tennessee working under the direction of Nathan and Amber Harden, A Carpenter on Mission in Utah and Idaho, that was highlighted in another UI Connections article in June of 2024.

Nathan Harden is a carpenter on mission to help churches across our two states

Nathan Harden spearheaded the work by providing professional expertise and guidance, while the mission team provided heavy lifting and dedicated labor. God is at work through partnerships like this around our two states. Let’s celebrate what God is doing in southeastern Utah.

Mission Action report from Debra Klein:

Praise the Lord for all the great work which was done in Blanding the last week of July. God is working in Blanding. We look forward to hear how the parsonage is used to advance the gospel in the community in the coming years. We completed two large projects long with several smaller things along the way including:

• Removal of two layers of roofing material and installation of a new roof.
• Removal of all siding from the building and installation of new siding.
• Installation of new soffit and fascia on the front and back of the parsonage.
• Covering the conduit on the back of the parsonage with new framing and siding.
• Installation of a new window in the parsonage bedroom.
• Installation of a new air conditioner in the parsonage living room.
• Repair of the water heater vent pipe.
• Installation of a cap on the furnace vent pipe.
• Removal of the degraded deck on the side of the parsonage.
• A new deck and staircase was installed after the Tennessee team left (not pictured)

Special thanks to Karen Klein and the kitchen team. All meals were wonderful. Also, thank you to everyone who kept the team well hydrated during the week. Special gratitude to Nathan, Amber, and Faith Harden. Without their tools and Nathan’s expertise, this project would not have been possible.

Please keep the church in Blanding in your prayers. The immediate prayer request is for continued outreach to the community following the VBS held at the church recently. Also, pray for a pastor to be willing to come and serve in Blanding and for the church to be an effective outreach to the community.