Ministry strives to serve

William Durrant and the congregation of Closer Walk Ministries gather each Saturday for worship.
Mindy Honey | Branson Tri-Lakes News

By Mindy Honey
Society Editor
Originally published Oct. 17, 2009

RIDGEDALE — Two-and-a-half years ago, William Durrant was teaching about contentment at a homeless shelter in Springfield when he decided he wanted to better understand the message.

“I wore an old hat, an old shirt and an old pair of shoes and I went,” he said.

Durrant explained that when a person has a meal at the homeless shelter, they are asked to also work. That day, he washed pots and pans.

“When I left there that day, I was transformed,” he said. “God really spoke to me that day. My calling had become about the poor, the needy, the homeless.”

Soon after, Durrant began working a pantry for the AIDS community in Springfield, as well.

Durrant and his wife, Cheryl, have continued to expand their service work and this summer, they moved into a facility in Ridgedale and opened Closer Walk Ministries.

Each Saturday, the congregation gathers at 6 p.m. for fellowship. Everything from shared testimonies to puppet shows are given during the hour. At 7 p.m., William Durrant, who was ordained last Sunday as a southern Baptist pastor, leads what he calls an intense study of the Bible.

Saturday evenings are just the beginning of Closer Walk Ministries though.

“Everybody works here,” William Durrant said.

The congregation has given time at the homeless shelter, volunteering and donating items. They have also donated to the AIDS pantry.

“If you want to work for Christ and serve the Lord in a great capacity, come here. That is what we do,” Cheryl Durrant said.

“Our vision is to be Christ-like — to meet the needs of those that are hurting,” William Durrant said.

He also said their goal is to someday feed people three times a week, and to have a closet open once a week where people who are in need could go and get the clothes and supplies they need.

“The thing about our ministry is, we don’t want anything in return from the community,” William Durrant said. “We want to serve the community. This ministry is not about us. It is about Christ.”

Cheryl Durrant said the hope is to have the closet open sometime in November.

“The ultimate goal is to help people in their walk with Christ,” William Durrant said.

Anyone who would like to donate new, unopened hygiene items for the closet may call Closer Walk Ministries at 417-294-5097.