Love Norwalk

The long line down Main Street on Aug. 13 said it all. There is a need out there, and the good people of Norwalk were there to help out. The annual "Love Norwalk" event was held to help everyone get ready for the school year. There were backpacks with all sorts of goodies to put in them. There were free haircuts, and much more. But more than that, there was a sense of pride and community among the eight churches that helped sponsor the event. Churches involved were Oasis, The Foundation, The Chapel, First Baptist, Church of God, St. Peter Lutheran, Alliance and Crossroads. Jeff Watson, pastor of The Foundation Church, along with Pastors Vince and Nicole Cooper from the Oasis Church, talked about the event. The night also featured food, fun, touch a truck with the Norwalk police and fire departments and a car show. "This has been nine years, we started in 2013 ... we missed one year," Vince Cooper said. "We just feel so blessed to be able to meet a need for our community. We love Norwalk," Nicole Cooper said. "That is actually the best part of the whole thing. All of the churches working together and we get along. Actually, we have created really good friendships." Watson said it is a great relationship between all of the churches. "That is one of the things that is so true," Watson said. "Here in Norwalk all of the pastors are on the same team. We're friends with each other and we love meeting once a month. We love doing outreaches like Love Norwalk. The ministerial association and all of those things. It's no competition. Lots of people that need to know Jesus. We need to love on Jesus. ... Love your neighbor as yourself." Vince Cooper agreed. "This is a gift from the churches to the community." "These are all people from our congregations," Watson said. "Everything came from them. It's also great having the Elite School of Cosmetology helping out with the cause." It was a perfect weather night ... far from the 100 percent rain in the forecast. "We don't care if we get wet," Watson said with a laugh. "We don't want the people go to get wet." Watson just couldn't say enough about the event. "It is a beautiful thing. It's the unity of the churches working together. We just want the people to know how much we truly love this community. We live in such a special place. The fact the city would shut down the street so that we can do this. There are not many places like Norwalk, Ohio. This is a special place to live and a special place to minister." Vince Cooper said the key is to lead by example. "We as pastors want to model great relationships," he said. "If we can't get together and our congregations can't get along together that is not a very good example to our community. A good example of relationships to our churches and our communities from the top down. Good pastors from the top down." Joe Centers is Reflector community editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.