A local evangelist has sky-high hopes that her new ministry and mini-market will work to bless those in the Farrell community.

Evangelist Geraldine L. Logan, 58, of Farrell is founder and director of Because We Care Deliverance Outreach Ministry, 201 Idaho St., Farrell, and a related store, Nana, taken from a nickname her grandchildren gave her.

The ministry, located at the former Mitch's Coin Laundry, specializes in the care of God's people in and around the target area of Farrell by providing food, counseling, a support system and prayer, she said.

"I am looking forward to delivering such a needed service to my community," she said.

As part of the outreach ministry, Because We Care will host its first "Meet Me Here," church school service at 9 a.m. Sunday at the outreach site. Ms. Logan invites everyone in the community to attend and enjoy refreshments after.

She started on the path of helping others through God after receiving her ministerial license in 1987 under the leadership of Bishop Alvin McCoy of New and Living Way Church, Farrell.

A Farrell native, Ms. Logan relocated first to Youngstown and then to Norfolk, Va., where her outreach work ministered to the sick and shut-in. She organized week-long tent revivals and held dinners.

But she said she felt as if something still was missing in her life. She said while in Virginia she was called by God to become more involved in helping others.

"I was moved to counsel and witness to those in need of spiritual and physical help," she said.

She was also led to bring her vision back to Farrell.

"The Lord told me it was time for me to come home," she said.

As a member of Community Missionary Baptist Church, Ms. Logan served as president of the church mission board, learning about the needs in the local community.

One day she talked to Gerald Mitchell, owner of the former laundry, about using the building to start her ministry. Mitchell, who is retired, agreed to lease the site.

"It was an ideal spot for a ministry," she said of the corner of Idaho and French streets. "I wanted a ministry more than a store, but my dream has always been to have a candy convenience store that meets the needs of the neighborhood. Connected with that is the ministry, which ties in hand-in- hand," she said.

The store opened April 10 and has been a draw with kids in the neighborhood. It carries food, candy and drinks, along with bathroom, kitchen and household supplies and "soul food" dinners on the weekends.

"It's so nice. Everybody wants to be a part. Kids come in and ask to help and when they do I reward them," she said.

The store and ministry is not quite in the shape she'd like it to be, Ms. Logan said. She plans to host an official dedication next month.

She has been received well by the community and by people who are looking to help. Hour of Power Full Gospel Tabernacle, Inc., Farrell donated seven church pews to her ministry.

She has received help with paperwork from Yolanda Cooper of Minority Health Center and a member of Greater Morris Chapel AME, Farrell.

Others have offered information on grants, and inmates are slated to come to help spruce up the building, she said.

"My vision is to see men and women, boys and girls, get more out of life. The word of God says 'cast all your cares on him because he careth for you.' "

For more information or to give support to Because We Care Deliverance Outreach Ministry call (724) 347-4554.