Reposted with permission from McKenzie County Farmer. 

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry treats 100 youngsters and their families to their own special Christmas celebration complete with food, song, and gifts.

Hearing the Christmas story. Over 100 area children piled close to Jim Konsor as he reads the Christmas story during the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry’s annual Christmas event on Saturday, Dec. 1. The children were treated to an evening of food, song and Christmas gifts during the event.(Farmer Photo by Neal A. Shipman)

Christmas came early for 129 Watford City area children and their families on December 1, as Jim and Kathie Konsor of the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry held their 6^th annual Christmas Event and Toy Mall at the Watford City Civic Center.

The big attraction of the event was hundreds of new and unwrapped Christmas presents that the children were able to pick from. The toys and other gifts ranged in value from between $10 and $15 and had been donated to Bakken Oil Rush Ministry throughout the year.

“We intentionally will pull parents away when the children start picking out their gifts,” laughs Pastor Jim. “Them may want their child to pick something as modest as possible. But we think it’s important the children get what they want, if it’s available.”

But the ministry’s annual Christmas part is much more than just about giving the children gifts. The evening includes a light supper, the singing of Christmas carols, the reading of the Christmas story, and holiday fellowship.

“The first year, we only had 40 to 70 people show up,” says Jim. “Considering we had 189 people last year, we weren’t surprised that 200 people showed this time.”

Sharing the sounds of Christmas. Jim and Kathie Konsor of the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry provided Christmas songs and music during their annual Christmas event for less fortunate families on Dec. 1. (Farmer Photo by Neal A. Shipman)

According to Sgt. Jeffrey Jensen of the Watford City Police Department, people have come to this area for a better life. But unfortunately, that’s not always how it goes.

Konsor agrees with Jensen.

“We want to close the gap in reference to those still struggling financially when the holidays roll around,” states Jim. “There are people that are in the hole from the get-go and remain that way longer than expected.”

The Bakken Oil Rush Ministry has impacted the lives of a number of people not just through their annual Christmas event, but by their other contributing opportunities as well.

“A gal who recently moved from here found me in town before she left and expressed the impact our organization had on her and it meant a lot,” says Jim.

While the Konsors jump at any opportunity to serve those who need a helping hand, their Christmas event has always been geared to meet the needs for a very specific group of people.

“We promore this event to the people who come to our thrift store,” says Jim. “We want them to have a place to come where their spirit is lifted and be free.”

Jim notes how delightful it’s been to experience witnessing families enjoy the Christmas celebration without being concerned about the costs associated with the holiday season.

“We want to shed a little light back on the reason for the season,” smiles Jim. “That’s what God’s love is all about. He tells us to love others the way he loves us.”