Pastor offers service for GM workers

The pastor is leading his church to reach out to the community.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- "There's an intricate plan for all those people -- God wasn't taken by surprise," the Rev. Dan Tayman, pastor of Bethel Assembly of God told his congregation during a prayer service for General Motors and Delphi employees.
The Rev. Mr. Tayman said when he heard Wednesday morning that the third shift would be cut in June at the GM Assembly Plant in Lordstown, he knew the workers would be the focus of the evening's prayer service.
"Wednesday is a regular prayer service night for many churches, so I know there are a lot of people saying special prayers for GM workers tonight," he said.
Mr. Tayman has been pastor of the church on Mahoning Avenue about 18 months. He said about a dozen families in the congregation of about 90 works for GM or Delphi, and everyone knows someone who may lose their jobs.
His goal
He is leading his church to reach out to the community. "We want to do a better job," he said.
Mr. Tayman said he wanted to offer a service Wednesday with prayers and encouraging words for the workers.
"They are not just workers; they are people, and each one has a name. We're helping them in a spiritual way. We want to be there to say, 'Man, I'm right here with ya.'"
Mr. Tayman said his prayer for GM workers is that they would learn they can depend on God for their needs, not a corporation.
"People make plans, and God has plans," he said. "Now Lordstown workers are looking to 'Plan B' in June. We want them to know God is leading them."
tullis@vindy.com