Eastern Pennsylvania
by Rev. Dr. David W. McKinley, Area Rep for Eastern Pennsylvania
But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. (Psalm 73:28)
God is doing some wonderful things in Eastern Pennsylvania. Sensing the need to be more connected, our regional fellowship decided to meet more frequently and celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a regular part of our meetings. We now gather once per eight weeks at the Old Country Buffet in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Check out our website at www.easternpa4c.org.
Among our member churches, God is blessing and sustaining our ministries, as well as preparing us for the future. For instance, at Mount Bethel Church in McClure, Pennsylvania, Rev. Don Wise has faithfully served for 20 years. The church has supported a new church plant in Cleveland, Ohio, known as City View Church. Mount Bethel also has an active Women’s Aid group that sponsors children overseas and conducts a Vacation Bible School for the community.
Christmas Party at Snyder Ave. Church
Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia is a “Church in Development” with the CCCC. Last September, founding Pastor Ajay Thomas and congregation celebrated the four-year anniversary of their public launch. Most recently, Seven Mile Road’s leadership expanded to include two elders and one deacon. Five groups participate in their Gospel Communities on Mission, a small group program that emphasizes participation in local mission.
Lately, the church has been calling for attendees to become members. 80 individuals took part in nine-hour class (spread over three days). Baptisms have resulted and the congregation is growing.
In addition, a family was recently sent to India as full time missionaries, participating in Bombay Teen Challenge in Mumbai to fight human trafficking. The church, under Ajay’s direction, is identifying themselves as a community of missionaries called to make a difference in the world. Learn more at sevenmileroadphilly.org.
St. John’s Church of Port Clinton, Pennsylvania is nestled in the shadows of the Appalachian Trail. Amy Kirkpatrick became the pastor there almost four years ago after Pastor Shirley Breiner went on to be with the Lord. The past three and a half years have brought healing to this small congregation, by God’s grace. Pastor Amy marks the present time as a season of growth, faith and outreach. For instance, the congregation has rallied around a local young lady who survived a traumatic automobile accident. St. John’s held benefit events and helped her in many ways.
Family dinners occur once per month centered on a particular theme. Folks who could not normally afford to eat at a restaurant are encouraged to come, and the fellowship is a blessing. The congregation has concentrated on building community, and attendance is up to 50-55 per Sunday. Younger people are returning and a new youth group has been started. Check them out at www.stjohnspcpa.org.
St. Paul’s Church of Stowe, Pennsylvania is seeing the seventh guiding principle operating in their church: “A Membership Reflective of the Harvest Field’s Diversity.” Six years ago, Pastor Lenn Zeller sensed a burden to become involved with an after school Bible club at Barth’s Elementary School. Today, over 60 children are participating in the club, and some are now attending St. Paul’s Church from the nearby Bright Hope housing development. The program has become a strategic part of the church’s outreach to the community.
Cambodian Group (Snyder Ave. Cong. Church)
Herb Anderson is the Senior Pastor of South Philadelphia’s Snyder Avenue Congregational Church. Next year, the congregation will celebrate Herb and Sharon’s 50th year of ministry with them. Snyder Avenue Church recently hired Associate Pastor David Grainge and his wife Lisa to develop outreach and pastoral care in the community. Many different ethnic congregations are holding their worship services at Snyder Avenue. Among them are Christian brothers and sisters from all over the world, including Burma, Nepal, and Cambodia. Praise God for the outreach and multicultural work taking place at Snyder Avenue Church! See them at www.snydercongregational.org
Christ Reformed Church of Indian Creek, located in Telford, Pennsylvania, celebrated the ordination of Pastor Scott Nice within the past year. Pastor Scott just returned from a trip to the Holy Land. He also reports: “Here at Christ Reformed Church, God is blessing us as we partner with Child Evangelism Fellowship in reaching elementary age students in the Souderton Area School District with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have after school Bible Clubs at each of the five elementary schools. In addition, we have a weekly club that meets Tuesday evenings here at CRC to which all the clubs are invited. We have 80 non-churched kids coming on Tuesday nights for ministry. That’s almost four times as many kids as we have in our Sunday school. We are fulfilling the Great Commission where and when the opportunity arises!” Web site www.christ-reformed-church.org
From Drehersville, Pennsylvania: CCCC pastor Robert Burkey reports: “Immanuel Evangelical Congregational Church has been growing steadily with new members over the last year. We also were donated seven acres of ground which was much needed. Before this gift, we owned just a three foot perimeter around our church and a one half acre parking lot on the opposite side of the street.
In addition, we now have an active Women’s Guild and for the first time we will be offering Vacation Bible Study in August of this year. Most recently, a young couple approached Pastor Bob about joining the church, which will necessitate membership classes.
The Holy Spirit continues to move among His church in Eastern Pennsylvania. We are blessed to be a part of His work in our region.
