By Brenna Wiegand
A group of local men who came together for a Bible Study are finding ways to reach out to their community. They call themselves the Noble Men of Oregon.
They meet weekly at Noble Inn, owned by study leader Gregg Harris and his wife Bonnie. Built by June Drake in 1904, the historic home is now a Christian bed and breakfast retreat, offering free stays to foreign missionaries and pastors in need of some R&R.
“We came across Isaiah 32:8 where it says, ‘The noble man makes noble plans and by noble deeds he stands’ – that’s where it comes from, and that’s what we want to be,” group member Lance Kamstra said. “We decided to start making some noble plans and doing noble deeds.”
They started with a citywide ice cream social in July, and, when Thomas and Erika Baham bought and restored the Palace Theatre, approached them about conducting a free monthly showing of family friendly movies.
The Bahams, who reopened the Palace Dec. 15 after purchasing it last spring, liked the idea.
“We had an available day, so I said let’s do it,” Thomas Baham said. “They chose the Chronicles of Narnia for their first movie[s] and [they’re] a great choice.”
Kamstra said the movie night gives more people the opportunity to take in the new theater.
“It’s amazing,” Kamstra said. “The whole concession area and restrooms have been revamped and made easier to access; they’ve put in reclining seats, an $80,000 sound system, a new screen and a $100,000 projector.”
The Noble Men select and underwrite the cost of these private showings and plan the agenda of the day.
“Gregg Harris will give a gospel presentation and we’ll be publicizing our efforts as the Noble Men,” Kamstra said. “We might sing; we might pray… It’s going to be a Christ-centered event, which goes along with our tagline, ‘Impacting our community for Christ.’
“We are also hoping that the church community gets involved.”
Both the 2 p.m. matinee and the 7 p.m. showings are first come, first served, so the first 237 people to arrive will gain admittance.
Kamstra said the matinee is a nice option for seniors who don’t want to drive at night, though all are welcome to either showing. Future plans may include adding another screening geared to high schoolers.
Free family-friendly films
Showings every first Tuesday at 2 and 7 p.m.
Free admittance, first come, first served: 237 seats
The Chronicles of Narnia trilogy
• March 5: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• April 2: Prince Caspian
• May 7: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
