American Baptist Churches of Pennsylvania and Delaware

ABCOPAD Life! Blog

ABCOPAD... IM... and Myanmar

 

A delegation from International Ministries (IM), also known as the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society, joined leaders of the Myanmar Baptist Convention (MBC) in a series of meetings with government officials representing the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on October 17, 2018.

Of note --- The woman, front and center, Leslie Turley, and her husband Dave are ABCOPADer's, living out in the Morgantown, PA, area. She is IM's Asian Director and he is the interim at FBC, Reading, so the photo has connections to ABCOPAD. And Reid Trulson, who is the retired IM Director, standing right behind Leslie, is a member at Royersford.

Read more HERE

 

Categories: General ~ Date: 10/23/2018
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2019 Thrive Conference Speaker

 

The wife of the man who stormed into a one-room Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County, PA, shooting 10 schoolgirls, five of them fatally, will never forget the phone call she got from her husband early that morning.

He said she would never see him again, and she pleaded with him to come home and talk to her, even though she had no idea of the horror he was about to unleash.

The crime stunned the nation, not only because of the brutality against young children, but because it took place in a traditional Christian community whose residents are known for their peaceable ways and avoidance of the modern world.

The gunman was Charles Roberts, a father of three and husband. Roberts, his wife, Marie, and their children lived one mile away from the school.

His then-wife -- who has since remarried -- is now talking about the tragedy that changed so many lives, including her own.

Mark your calendar for the 2019 ABWM Thrive Conference (June 28-29) and hear Marie Monville's incredible story of grace, forgiveness, and hope.

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/22/2018
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Matthew 25 Grant Award to BCWC

 

For more than 40 years The Baptist Church of West Chester, PA, has provided a Saturday morning breakfast each week for the community’s homeless in its college town located near Philadelphia. Between 20 and 50 folks attend each week, according to Dena Colson, the congregation’s treasurer.

The church recently took another step to feed the homeless for which it received a $900 Matthew 25 Grant from American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA). “A few years ago, a member of our congregation brought to our attention that no agencies in the community were providing Sunday morning/lunchtime meals for the homeless,” explains Dena Colson, the congregation’s treasurer. “So, we decided we would also begin to offer a lunch/brunch once a month for the homeless, actually open to anyone in the community once a month. We soon figured out we had enough volunteers to offer the Sunday brunch twice a month.”

Read more HERE

 

Categories: General, Ministries, Region Life ~ Date: 10/22/2018
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Ordination Honors

 

At the ABCOPAD Biennial Leadership Conference, a host of folks received recognition for their years' ordination at the Ministers Council Banquet. It’s 30 years for Mark Mahserjian-Smith. Be sure to congratulate him.

Wow! Apparently, he was ordained when he was only 9!  ??                                  

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/21/2018
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2018 BLC Flashback

While the 2018 ABCOPAD Biennial Leadership Conference has concluded, there were lots of "takeaways"! Challenging messages from keynote speakers, insightful lessons from workshop leaders, meaningful worship, purposeful conversations, warm and encouraging friendships, and the spirit of the living Christ.... appreciated and treasured by all. 

Here are just a few photos of a memorable gathering of our regional family...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/20/2018
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2018 ABCOPAD Ministers Council

 

The Ministers Council elected their new Executive Committee at this year's Biennial Leadership Conference in Altoona. PA. Please pray for these leaders as they move forward together in ministry.

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/20/2018
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Craig W Martin Award 2018

The Craig W. Martin award winners were announced at the Biennial Leadership Conference during the Ministers Council Banquet. The recipients were the Rev. Robert Rice, Pastor of the FBC, Muncy (under 10 years in ministry) and the Rev Mark McCallion, Pastor of the Wesleyville Baptist Church (over 10 years in ministry). Congratulations to both of these gifted leaders.

 

 

 

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/18/2018
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Dr. David Parajon

 


 

Dr. David Parajon, our ABC Medical Missionary to Nicaragua will be speaking twice in the area.

 

Sunday, October 21 at 3:30
James Street Mennonite Church, 323 W. James St. Lancaster, PA

 

Tuesday, October 30
First Baptist Church. A light supper will be available. HOWEVER, you need to call Sally Perry to RSVP to the dinner and exact time and location. (It may not be at the church, if the turnout is low - it may be moved to a home). That's why RSVP is necessary to 717-626-1488.

Categories: General, Ministries, Region Life ~ Date: 10/18/2018
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Sew Loved Dresses

 

Volunteers from New Hope Christian Church in Broomall are reaching out to young girls in need. The ladies have completed 42 dresses and have another 20/30 in various stages of completion.

 

 

The ladies began creating dresses made from pillowcases!  Fabric is selected which is sturdy and heavy enough that a hand can not be seen through it. They consider the laundering methods, as well, when choosing fabrics.

 

 

A new design is made from purchased T-shirts. Skirts are then stitched onto the shirt. The benefit (besides speed of construction) is that they could be given to Muslim girls who must have their shoulders covered. T shirt dresses are made in the smaller sizes because they do not provide modesty for developing girls.

 

 

Their current concern is getting the dresses to girls in need. Ideally, they would be carried by someone going to the mission field so as to avoid shipping costs.

 

 

Want to help? Along monetary gifts,the group accepts donations of fabric, trim, T shirts, shorts, panties, shoes. AND... If you want to deliver some dresses on a future mission trip, let them know. Contact New Hope Christian Church!

 

 

 

Categories: General, Ministries, Region Life ~ Date: 10/17/2018
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VIP: Very Impressive Pastors

 

Celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month.... Meet some of our ABCOPAD Pastors! 

(Clockwise) Luminitza (Lumi) Nichols, First Baptist Church, Lancaster; Kelly Legg, West Shore Baptist Church; Funteller Jackson, Logan’s Valley Baptist Church; Melody Walden, New Covenant Baptist Church.

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/11/2018
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Notes and News Oct 2018

 

The October issue of our regional newsletter is now available online. In addition to announcements, reports, and news, Jeffrey Johnson, Regional Pastor with Congregations, offers excellent thoughts about Pastor Appreciation Month. Read it HERE.  

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/11/2018
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New Hope Women's Retreat

 

From New Hope Christian Church, Broomall, PA --- A quick pic of this year's Women’s Retreat Weekend 2018. "We are beautiful, We are pure, We are valuable, we are loved!" (Ps. 139:14)

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/9/2018
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New Covenant Anniversary

 

New Covenant Baptist Church of Pottstown celebrated their 25th Anniversary. Pastor Melody Walden and the congregation enjoyed an anniversary dinner on Saturday evening with former Pastors Jim Sutton bringing remarks and Tom Brokaw bringing the message. Frank Frischkorn had the opportunity to preach on Sunday morning, with a time of fellowship following the service.

 

  

Another highlight was the church’s receipt of a certificate of recognition from the American Baptist Historical Society. 

 

 

The congregation has a new banner in their sanctuary, reminding members to pray for the ministry of the congregation at 9:15 in the morning and 9:15 on the evening. 

Categories: Ministries ~ Date: 10/7/2018
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Meet Glo!

 

Meet Glo! Pastor Gloria Rhodes has been serving as interim pastor at Wayne Park Baptist Church since early last summer. She is a gifted musician and a very dynamic pastoral leader.

 


 

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/4/2018
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Camp Judson News

 

Meet Rev. Kevin Saxton, Managing Director at Camp Judson. He recently met with the Oil Creek Association to report on last summer's activities when hundreds of kids attending camp, many of whom made commitments to follow Jesus. It was great to hear all the good reports regarding Camp Judson.

http://campjudson.com/

 

Categories: General, Ministries ~ Date: 10/4/2018
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Huntingdon Prayer Garden

 

Pastor John Staje sent these pictures taken at the First Regular Baptist Church of Huntingdon. The church dedicated its new prayer garden created in the yard along side the church. The congregation gathered in the prayer garden to commit the space to the Lord, a place where people can find a quiet, peace filled place to pray. The group released butterflies, a very appropriate symbol of transformation and prayers taking wing and heaven bound.

 

 

Categories: General, Ministries, Region Life ~ Date: 10/4/2018
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Missionary Commissioning Service

  

COMMISSIONING SERVICE 
The Smiths
SERVING WITH INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

 

SATURDAY, NOV. 3RD, 2018
1:30PM 

 

 

CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
339 SOUTH MAIN STREET
CAMBRIDGE SPRINGS, PA 

 

Details HERE 

 

 

Categories: General, Ministries, Region Life ~ Date: 10/2/2018
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West Shore Baptist Installs New Pastor

 

God brought it all together and we gathered to thank Him. The West Shore Baptist Church family gathered together with Baptist friends from other ABC congregations to install Rev. Kelly Legg as their new Senior Pastor.  

 

 

 

Preceded by a fellowship dinner, the evening was filled with rejoicing at the wonderful things the LORD has done in launching this new chapter in the life of Pastor and People.

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/1/2018
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Oil Creek Baptist Association

 

The Oil Creek Baptist Association convened at Second Baptist Church in Erie for their fall gathering.  

 

The group came together to officially welcome Rev. LaMont Higginbottom and the Second Baptist Church as the newest congregation to join the Oil Creek Association.

  

Rev. Dr. Jeff Woods, acting General Secretary of the American Baptist Churches, provided the keynote address and offered the right hand of fellowship. 

 

It was awesome seeing so many of the Oil Creek pastoral leaders and church families present for the celebration.

 

Categories: General, Region Life ~ Date: 10/1/2018
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