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Oakboro Regional Museum of History has a new exhibit.

The display, “Mighty Models,” will showcase the talents of semi-new Oakboro resident Rev. Jonathan Waits, and former resident Lorrie Taylor Hatley. Although they are from completely different backgrounds, they share a common love of working with metal and wooden model kits.

Waits is the senior pastor for First Baptist Church of Oakboro. He and his wife Lisa, along with their three sons Noah, Josiah and Micah, made the move to Oakboro in July 2017.

Originally from Independence, Missouri, Jonathan majored in chemistry, but felt the call to be a pastor while working at a camp during his summer break from college.

More than 10 years ago, while pastoring his first church he was introduced to metal models by the church secretary. His first metal kit was a drum set. After completing the drums he was hooked. He has worked on more than 70 metal projects since that time. And the number keeps growing. He said he finds working with the models relaxing and he enjoys it very much.

The models he has completed have taken anywhere from 10 minutes to more than 10 hours to assemble, depending on the level and size of the model.

Hatley grew up in Oakboro and is a lifelong member of First Baptist Church. She also began working on metal as well as wooden projects around 10 years ago while recuperating at home after surgery. She has completed more than 60 metal projects and more than 20 wooden models.

Like Waits, she says it is relaxing, plus she enjoys the challenge of putting them together without having to resort to using glue.

These items will be on display through the Christmas season.