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N 1968, my parents left California. With all of our earthly possessions in a U-Haul truck, we moved to Torrington, Wyoming. My dad, Fred Lucas, felt a strong calling to start a Free Will Baptist church in the city. He had never pastored before, and because of his age, my dad chose to be a tentmaker. God blessed, and we soon found a house and a building for the church. Both of my parents found jobs, and part of their salaries paid the rent and utilities on both places. Every night, except Wednesdays and Sundays, they knocked on doors and invited people to church. Slowly, people began to come. One of my dad’s first
22 treasure
APR-JUN 2022
converts was Tim Hackett, who later became my husband. The church outgrew our small, rented building, so we began to pray God would open up another place. He did! Someone contacted my dad about a church in town that was closing its doors permanently, and were able to purchase it. My parents were committed to teaching the congregation about Free Will Baptists. Mom started a Ladies Auxiliary (now WNAC), and they held bake sales and rummage sales to help with the church’s finances and to support missionaries. My parents continued to work full-time jobs to keep the church and our home running smoothly.
