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Clinton couple building an organic ministry

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to rennovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to renovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to renovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house. Pictured is the inside of one of the old barns.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to rennovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house. Pictured is the inside of one of the old barns that used to hold farm animals.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to rennovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house. Pictured is the roof of one of the old barns filled with holes.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Russ and Eileen Olsen are ministers who plan to rennovate their historic barns into a cooking class center, a worship center, and a house. Pictured is an old door inside of one of the old barns.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — People turn to Russ and Eileen Olsen for help restoring their souls.

Now the husband and wife pastoral team want to tackle a new kind of restoration project.

The Olsens work as non-denominational ministers associated with Impact Ministries International. Their 4-acre farm is listed as one of a handful of prayer retreats on the Impact Ministries Web site.

The Olsens specialize in helping ministers having a crisis of faith. But laypeople, including children, teens and recovering addicts, come to stay in the rambling farmhouse at 11527 E. County J, Clinton.

Starting in the spring, the Olsens plan to restore three barns on their property into a bookstore and prayer center, a worship center and classroom space for cooking classes.

The yard behind the renovated farmhouse will become a huge organic garden, said Eileen, who has a doctorate in holistic nutrition.

The plan is to teach people how seeds become plants, then vegetables, then healthy meals, Russ said.

It's gospel and grub, they quip.

They envision their farm, which they've named The Reservoir, healing bodies and souls.

"What peace in the growing of a garden," Russ said. "Peace from the spiritual to the physical body."

Of course, spirituality doesn't have to be quiet. It can rock, sometimes, Russ said.

Christian bands perform in a stand-alone garage Russ calls, "the Prayer Cave … you know, like a man cave?"

He would like to see recording equipment in the space so that new musicians can test their skills. That dream already is progressing, Russ said. Friends have donated amps and a soundboard.

And just about the time Russ and Eileen thought they needed an end-loader for outdoor projects, someone donated one of those, too, Eileen said.

Digging into the history of the farm south of Clinton has introduced the Olsens to new friends. They hope the result will be something the whole community can enjoy.

Pete Daley, of Walworth, certainly appreciated the peace of The Reservoir's rural location when he visited.

"It's almost like you're out in the middle of nowhere," Daley said. "I felt … it just washed over me. There's more here than just a farmhouse and silos."

Daley has known Russ for 20 years and thinks the Olsens have a lot to offer to the community.

"They're not so much setting up a church as in a place for people to be there," Daley said. "Ministers, pastors, somebody that doesn't even know God will have a place to come and rest, recharge. If you've got something on your mind, they'll sit and listen to you talk."

The Olsens have done plenty of talking in their quest to learn about their farm's history. They've tracked down some former residents of the farm. And they were tickled to discover that one of the first owners of the property was a Norwegian immigrant named Ole Olsen, although his name is spelled differently in several decades-old Rock County legal documents.

"Each thing we look into is like starting a new trail," Russ said. "It's really exciting to go down those trails."

Ole Olsen bought his 40 acres for $50 in January 1945, according to deed papers the Olsens found at the Rock County Courthouse.

A historian estimated the barns on the property were built in the 1920s and 30s, Eileen said. The Olsens have been told their barn boasts the oldest milking parlor in Rock County, and they have applied to have The Reservoir listed on state and federal historic registers.

They hope to start digging and building in the spring with the help of the community and those who have come to The Reservoir for spiritual healing. Along with a peaceful soul, the skills to grow and prepare healthy food could be life changing, Russ said.

"When a kid comes in here and his life is changed, that's eternal."