McClurkin helping uplift Mon Valley to God

Created on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 09:58 Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 09:58 Published on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 09:58 Written by Genea Webb Hits: 431

GOSPEL GIANT—First Lady Denise and Pastor Timothy Caldwell of New Life Deliverance Ministries strive to restore hope to their City of Duquesne by bringing Gospel giant Donnie McClurkin, center, to the area. (Photo by Diane I. Daniels)

Pastor Timothy Caldwell is on a mission to uplift the residents of the city of Duquesne and other towns in the Mon Valley.
“It seems like people here in the Mon Valley are losing hope,” said Pastor Caldwell, president of Miracle Temple Evangelistic Ministries in Duquesne. “I’m trying to encourage people that they can do better.”
The City of Duquesne was founded in 1789. It is about two square miles and has a population of approximately 5,500 residents.
To help alleviate the hopelessness, Pastor Caldwell has come up with several ideas to “put Jesus in the street” and get the people of the region to realize how special they are and how much they are loved by God.
Some of those ideas include hosting a clothing drive and raising money to help needy Mon Valley residents with Thanksgiving and Christmas.
To help further his mission, Pastor Caldwell and his wife, Denise, brought gospel powerhouse singer Donnie McClurkin to Miracle Temple.
Pastor Caldwell sent a request to McClurkin last October, but wasn’t sure he would accept it. But he did. Pastor Caldwell saw it as divine intervention.
“Donnie is a big name in gospel and the event was standing room only,” said Pastor Caldwell, who inherited Miracle Temple Evangelistic Ministries from his father R.I. Caldwell. “He spoke about how we as a people need to put the focus back on God and do what’s right.
“We had about 700 people from all across the Mon Valley. It was standing room only,” Pastor Caldwell continued. “Pastors from other churches came to support us and that’s great because it helps us build relationships and we can all work together. The event was definitely a success. People have been calling since the event asking about CDs and DVDs. We are looking to bringing other artists to the Mon Valley.”

In the meantime, Miracle Temple Evangelistic Ministries and several other churches within Duquesne have been working together for the last five years to provide scholarships for students who wish to attend college.
“We help with books, living expenses or anything the kids need the money for,” Pastor Caldwell said. Each scholarship ranges between $200 to $300 and Pastor Caldwell estimates that the conglomerate of churches has given out about 60 of them.
In addition to Miracle Temple, the other Duquesne-based churches that help with the scholarships are: City of Hope Church of the Nazarene, Christ Soul Saving Station, Christ Lutheran, First Presbyterian, Payne Chapel AME, Macedonia Baptist Church, New Birth Baptist Church and New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Healing Temple has also been a part of the group in past years.
The group also holds a fifth Sunday service together and holy week services, which begins on Palm Sunday. They are also trying to find a way to hold skating events for all of the area’s children, although some of the churches hold skating events on their own.
“I believe the communities are separated because the churches are divided. What matters is that there is one God. If the churches come together that will bring the people in the community together,” Pastor Caldwell said.
Anyone interested in helping Pastor Caldwell with his mission is encouraged to contact him at 412-758-6274.