Bud Shirk Honored

Bud Shirk was recently honored by the Hand in Hand Fire Co of Bird in Hand, PA, at their annual banquet November 18.  Bud was presented a handsome plaque for his service  from 1975 as a fire fighter and chaplain for 30 years and as the "resident" electrician". Among the many caring words were these: "he made an incredible impression on multiple generations of volunteers". His family was present to witness this "surprise" award.

Park Baptist Church, McKeesport

as well as a daughter and father duet.

Pastor Rudy then provided a morning message on the Biblical Theology versus the Secular Philosophy of Christmas.  

Marlin South, chair of the church's deacon board, went to private school together and have been friends for more than thirty five years.  Park Baptist is a generous supporter of missions here in our region through what they do directly in their own local area and what they contribute to for work throughout ABCOPAD.

Reaching Out in Pittsburgh

Saturday evening, Jeff Johnson and his wife, Karen, and their children, Jonae and Judson, with extended family members participated in an outreach in the downtown streets of Pittsburgh to feed and clothe the homeless. The ministry is sponsored each weekend by Ken Howard Ministries. Two of our ABCOPAD churches participate monthly: Olive Branch Church in Belle Vernon, and First Baptist Church, Vandergrift.

Jeff's kids helped serve the wonderful and abundant hot food prepared by Marcia Bauer from Olive Branch.

Jeff and Judson distributed personal hygiene kits put together by Judson.

Karen, her mother, her niece, and the choir director of Olive Branch sang carols in the background.

Before the evening was over, a man prayed to commit his life to Christ. Now this is the greatest present one can receive this Christmas season: His presence in this man's heart. 

Gingerbread Houses Galore

Prior to assisting in an outreach in the downtown streets of Pittsburgh, Jeff Johnson and his family took in the holiday sights in Wintergarden Place inside the Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) Place building.  On display were a hundred handmade gingerbread houses from all over the greater Pittsburgh area including:

One by residents of our own Baptist Homes...

Two from the youth group (The Ark) of First Baptist Church of Monongahela...

 

 

And even one by the students of Jeff's high school alma mater, the Wilson Academy.

Also on display in the same area were life-size representations of Santa Claus from all over the world, including where ABCOPAD has sponsored missions trips in 2015: Haiti and Latin America (Mexico and Nicaragua). 

Penn Hills Baptist Church
Welcomes New Members

What better way to celebrate the birth of Christ than with new members. On Sunday, December 20, Penn Hills Baptist Church baptized two new members. The congregation extended the right hand of fellowship to those 2 and 4 others who came through transfer or Christian experience. What an awesome time of worship.  Ralph Prinkey is pastor.

FBC, Pottstown & ABHMS Partnership

Laura Alden 

Laura Alden, publisher of Judson Press, a member of FBC, Pottstown, and the chair of their pastoral search committee is coordinating the delivery of the items to the Pottstown Cluster of Churches. Several ABHMS staff are members of other ABCOPAD churches in the Valley Forge area including Royersford, Upper Merion, and Exton.

Fela Barreuto (L), Director of the ABHMS Prisoner Re-Entry Program
Laura Miraz (R) HR Director of ABHMS 

Olive Branch Baptist Church - Reaching Out

Jeff Johnson (Regional Pastor with Congregations) gave to Pastor Ken Sommerfeldt 100 personal toiletry kits for Pastor Ken's church, Olive Branch Baptist Church in Belle Vernon, PA. They will be given out to the homeless on the streets in downtown Pittsburgh. The kits were put together by Jeff and Karen's son, Judson Adoniram,

This month the church is responsible to feed over 150 homeless and disadvantaged people in the center part of the city. For Olive Branch, Pittsburgh would be their Judea, as they are determined to have an impact for Christ in their Jerusalem (Belle Vernon); their Judea, (the greater Pittsburgh area); their Samaria, (our region); as well as to the uttermost parts of the world.

Olive Branch Baptist Church - Grant Award

Following their LLC meeting, Jeff Johnson (Regional Pastor with Congregations) presented Pastor Ken Sommerfeldt with a grant check for his church to support their hands on, relational ministry to their community. The church, Olive Branch Baptist in Belle Vernon, PA, is a great mission church, supporting with both proceeds and presence, work at home, within the region, across the country, and around the world.

After the biennial, the church leadership took to heart the message Will Mancini gave about doing mission work right where you are. The church began a clothing closet ministry and needs based outreach to a neighboring and needy community. The grant will support their efforts to be the best and most efficient stewards of what they receive in and then provide to others.

Merry Christmas from
United Baptist Church, Scranton

United Baptist Church of Scranton is hosting a community Christmas caroling event at Fellows Park on Sunday, December 20th. They decorated the park as a gift to the community and for the event by hanging wreaths and greenery. Angels were added by the community. Wow! What a great idea... and a terrific witness to the community!

Christmas at Blossburg Baptist Church

A few photos of the church during the Advent/Christmas season. 

Aldenville Baptist Church
Christmas Cantata

A few photos of a holiday tradition ---

First Baptist Church, York
Christmas Dinner

From last year.... First Baptist Church of York celebrates the holiday season ---

...hosting its annual Christmas Family Dinner,

...caroling at nursing homes,

...creating a Christmas Giving Tree.

East Brady Baptist Church
Breakfast with Santa

GraceCrossing Community Church
Christmas Celebration

A few pictures of Christmas at GraceCrossing Community Church, Phoenixville PA.

Penn Hills Baptist Christmas Cantata

Penn Hills Baptist Church, in Pittsburgh Region, presented their 2015 Christmas Cantata during 11:00 am worship Sunday December 13th. 15 strong voices performed "JOY! UNSPEAKABLE JOY!” 80 people attended the service, and enjoyed a cookie fellowship afterwards. Pastor Ralph Prinkey has been the pastor at PHBC since May 2006. 

Worship at Olive Branch Baptist Church

On Sunday, Jeff Johnson (Regional Pastor with Congregations) spent the day with the Olive Branch Baptist Church. He was filling in for their pastor, Ken Sommerfeldt, who with his wife, Paula, went to visit family in Kansas for Thanksgiving. The Olive Branch Church is VERY active in missions right there in their own community as well as in their association, in our region, and across our country and even around the world, as Paula herself will be leading another Mission Trip back to Haiti the first of 2016. If interested, check with our region office. This church is truly a great partner in ministry!