FBC Milton -- Mission Accomplished

The Student Mission Team from FBC, Milton, offered their hearts and hands at Smoky Mountain Outreach in Tennessee. Check out their work and witness.

Forest Baptist Fellowship Hall

Hooray! Forest Baptist Church was so pleased to announce that their new fellowship hall is completed, and they've already used it for their weekly Bible study!

Biennial Madcap!

Admittedly, several ABCOPAD folk were quite the spectacle at the Mission Summit during the American Baptist Women in Ministry "After Party"!

ABCOPAD Faces at the Mission Summit

There were lots of familiar faces at this year's ABCUSA Biennial Mission Summit in Virginia Beach. And everyone is smiling because.... Hey, it was great bein' there!

East Mahoning Baptist Church VBS

East Mahoning Baptist Church is about to begin its Vacation Bible School.

Don't-cha wish you were young again!

Believers Baptism

Pastor Gary Gilpin baptized nine persons at Aldenville Baptist Church, Prompton, in their new baptismal tank. The tank was dedicated in his honor with a plaque commemorating his 18 years of ministry. Gary is third from left and Deacon Kevin Kromko is on far right (Kevin assisted). The church dug out a baptistery under the platform in 1884 but removed it in 1915 when they dug out a basement under the sanctuary. A baptism held on Easter Sunday was the first baptism in the church building since 1915. Another baptism is planned this summer.

Pastor Randy Powell, lead pastor at the First Baptist Church of Franklin had two baptisms: brothers Matthew and Michael Martz. Matthew is a recent graduate of Rocky Grove High School and about to enter into the United States Air Force. Michael has plenty of HS left to go. FBC was proud to add both of these young men to its fellowship through this tradition and ordinance of the church. Pastor Randy is a member of our ABCOPAD board and a great partner in ministry.

Calvary Baptist Church, Williamsport
150th Anniversary

Calvary Baptist Church of Williamsport (Rev. Pete Wilson, Pastor) had a 150 year anniversary

On Saturday night there was an anniversary celebration dinner. Individuals from the congregation, the association, and the community attended. Former members both in and outside the area came back for the special occasion.

After the wonderful dinner, everyone relocated to the sanctuary through the parlor along the way viewing many pictures of the church's history as well as architectural plans for its future. Rev. Dr. Larry Wallz, who grew up in Williamsport and once pastored First Baptist, finishing out his active ministry as the Executive Minister of the Philadelphia Baptist Association made an historical presentation

On Sunday worship service. The service had elements of their weekly traditional components, but there were also special readings and special music by individuals and their choir.

Rev. Jan Green, ABC clergywoman and chair of the anniversary committee played the piano for the service and shared a special song on the guitar she wrote for the occasion. Jeffrey Johnson provided the morning message, going way back in Genesis to show that God the Father (appropriate theme for Father's Day) isn't done working with old things to enlarge the size of His family.

Sunday afternoon a small group went to visit the mother church, the Dunkard Meeting House. Rev. Larry Waltz spoke about the history of the Dunkards. Some descendants of the original founding families are still part of the Calvary Baptist Church family today.

Fathers Day at Mill Creek

At Mill Creek Baptist Church the ABW group conducted the worship service to celebrate the father's by having a triva game on the fathers in the Bible. There were two teams called the Hot Dogs and Sparkles.

QUESTION: Who was born without a father?

ANSWER: Joshua! He was the son of Nun.

Saturday Night Live

Rev Mark Schollaert leads the folk at the First Baptist Church Of Monongahela for their Saturday night worship service. After words of welcome, Pastor Mark offered a short passage of scripture from the book of Romans letting everyone know on the Eve of Father’s Day what our Heavenly Father has done for us, removing all condemnation from our lives through Jesus. Pastor Mark reminded all of us just how much our Heavenly Father loves us.

The praise team was incredible, with very talented musicians helping us lift our voices in praise and worship. I cannot begin to describe just how rich the singing was as we all lifted our voices, our hearts and our hands to Jesus.

Mark Mahserjian-Smith had the great joy of delivering the evening message, talking about mission and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Retired! ... Not Expired!

Riverview Baptist Church Of New Eagle gathered to honor their pastor, Bruce Moses, as he retired from the ministry.

Pastor Bruce and Patti have served the Riverview Baptist Church for over 12 years. During that time the church has grown, many (42 people) have been baptized, and the church facility has had extensive renovations.

It was great being at the celebration as church family members who had written down their fondest memories had them shared during the luncheon.

Pastor Bruce, Patti and the Riverview Baptist Church have been great partners in ministry supporting many of our Regional Mission endeavors along with being active members of the Pittsburgh Baptist Association.

A high point of the afternoon was having Riverview’s awesome singing group, Shepherd’s Voice, sing a number of Pastor Bruce and Patti’s favorite songs.

One member of the church baked Pastor Bruce his favorite dessert, blueberry pie. He was willing to show off his pie..... but it never left his sight!

Goin' to School

Pastor Kelly Farrell (Baptist Tabernacle In Wilkes Barre) sent this picture and message.

"I was happy to meet with the 3rd grade students at Fairview Elementary School and discuss what it is to be an American Baptist Pastor. We talked about ABHMS, what it is to be an American Baptist and why we like serving and helping others. We talked about the importance of religious freedom, social justice and equality and we all are worthy of God's great love. I am thankful for this different opportunity Jesus gave me."

Pentecost Sunday at FBC Abington

FBC Abington in Waverly celebrated Pentecost Sunday with some great preaching and singing during their morning service.

Pastor Don Hickey is a bi-vocational minister serving at FBC Abington while also a full-time police officer in Roaring Brook, PA. Pastor Don delivered a powerful message from the book of Hebrews looking at Noah, referenced in the "Faith Hall of Fame."

The choir sang a Pentecost anthem entitled Spirit, Come Down and did a great job with this stirring spiritual.

Pastoral Installation Service -
Shawn Walker

On Pentecost Sunday, June 10, Shiloh Baptist Church, Scranton, installed their new pastor Rev. Shawn Walker. The Spirit of God was there!

Church family members, family members, community leaders, pastoral leaders from other congregations and many others gathered for the celebration of this new partnership.

It was an inspiring service and a joy for me to be able to encourage these partners in ministry as they move forward in this next chapter of ministry.

Installation Marisa White /
Calvary Baptist, Newark

Frank writes:

I had the joy of participating in the Installation service of Pastor Marisa White today at Calvary Baptist Church in Newark, DE. Marisa has been called to serve as the church’s Associate Pastor of Leadership Development alongside Dr. Corey Fields, the church’s Senior Pastor. Following the service we all enjoyed a fellowship luncheon in appreciation of both of the pastors.

BCWC Anniversary

The Baptist Church of West Chester recently celebrated its 185th Anniversary. Rev. David Braneky leads the congregation.

Ryan Jeffries was honored for his 10 years of service as Praise Band leader. Ryan has a gift for incorporating all ages and abilities into the Band.

The Band is rarely the same 2 weeks in a row. In 2012, Ryan and the Band led the worship at the ABCOPAD Biennial.

Jefferson Baptist 2019 VBS

They say "a picture is worth a thousand words". There's a big story here, as so many kids attend the Vacation Bible School taking place at Jefferson Baptist Church in southwestern ABCOPAD. Great fun! Lots of learning! And lives changed!

Regional Ministry Associates for Student Ministries hold first Zoom Meeting

ABCOPAD Regional Ministry Associates For Student Ministries: The ABCOPAD Regional Ministry Associates for Student Ministries: Josh Trojak (Christ American BC Spring Grove), Ben Kraihanzel (FBC Bethlehem) and Mandi Pascarella (FBC Waynesburg) hosted the first Student Ministries Zoom gathering. Student ministries leaders along with people passionate about student ministries from across ABCOPAD participated on the video conference. Participants included full time student ministry leaders, part time student ministries leaders, senior pastors, volunteers and more. It was great seeing this community come together to talk about student ministries and support one another in this partnership. The video conference call was posted on our ABCOPAD Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABCOPADVideo. ? Very grateful for our 3 ABCOPAD Regional Ministry Associates for Student Ministries who hosted our Zoom Conference Call this evening. Thanks to our newest RMA for Student Ministries (elect), Mandi Pascarella along with Ben Kraihanzel and Pastor Josh Trojak it was great having so many people interested in Student Ministries on the call. Thanks again.

FBC Pittsburgh Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic

First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh:   A team from the First Baptist Church of Pittsburgh, led by Rev. Chuck and Ruth Fox, traveled to the Dominican Republic to serve in La Romana alongside Ketly and Vital Pierre our International Missionaries in the DR. The team planned to tackled two projects ... construction of a home for Pastor Santiago, and teacher training sessions for 3 different Christian schools, affiliated with the Baptists in La Romana.

Ruth Fox wrote: What an amazing week...busy, busy, busy...but wonderfully so! Making friends, building partnerships, encouraging others while they encouraged us, worshiping and working in a language unfamiliar to us but given interpretation and understanding through common purpose and love. Many thanks to those who participated financially in supporting our team to go and those who prayerfully supported us while we were there!

Logans Valley Forms Search Committee

Mark writes. On Wednesday night, May 29th, I joined the Logan’s Valley Baptist Church Pulpit Committee for their first meeting as they begin searching for their next pastoral leader. Some members of the committee were veterans of the search process having served on search committees in the past while for others this is their maiden voyage into the process.
Often, for those unfamiliar with searching for a pastor, the expectation is the Regional Pastor will bring a pile of resumes, the committee will take 4-6 weeks to review them and then a selection will be made, but this is NOT how the search process works.
Congregations spend time in reflection and build a congregational profile helping identify who the church is and what they are looking for in their next pastoral leader. Then every effort is made to identify pastoral leaders open to move who are a “good match” for the church. In most cases the process can take a year to even two years to find a good match. In the meantime the church is served by an interim minister who helps the congregation in the transition.
Please keep the Logan’s Valley Baptist Church in your prayers as they join many congregations in ABCOPAD currently in the process of searching for their next pastoral leader. Happy to help these partners in ministry in the midst of their search.

Anna Young Receives Healing and Transforming Communities Award

Jeff writes ...

As many of you may have heard by now, one of our own, a fellow ABCOPADer, Anna Young, has been named the recipient of one of the five national awards given out biennially by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. Anna will be receiving the "Healing and Transforming Communities Award" given in memorium of the Rev. Dr. Jistuo Morikawa who believed in the whole Gospel, and its holistic application to redeem the whole of the person God created. Anna (just shy of 90) is receiving this award for her nearly FIFTY YEARS of selfless, servant ministry inside the walls of the Lackawanna County Prison. Just recently, she has been joined by one of our ABMen officer, Ron Stock, and Pastor Don Hasselmen, who are conducting a men's Bible Study at the prison. Anna will not be able to attend our ABC Biennial in June in Virginia Beach, so her award will be presented to her by national and regional staff locally, in the Scranton area where she lives, sometime over the summer. You can check out all the award recipients at: http://abhms.org/…/american-baptist-home-mission-societies…/

Women's Day at Love Unlimited

Mark writes. On May 19th I joined Love Unlimited in Williamsport for their Women’s Day event. Pastor Dorothy and Pastor Willie Anderson welcomed the ladies of the church who delivered an exciting, action packed program. The sanctuary was full with Love Unlimited members, visitors from other churches along with many community family members and friends. The Love Unlimited Women’s Choir was outstanding along with many other ladies who offered readings, scripture, skits and more. It was a great event including a fellowship meal following the service. It was just fun being present for this day of celebration honoring ladies in Love Unlimited and beyond.

Active Shooter Training in Lackawanna County

Pastor Debbie Loessy (FBC Factoryville) sent these pictures taken during the Active Shooter Training sponsored by Lackawanna County Sheriff's office. A number of our ABCOPAD Churches were present for the training and our ABCOPAD Ministry Associate for Protect My Ministries, Minister Valerie Black was along in attendance. Grateful for these partners in ministry who are learning all they can to keep their congregation's safe in these challenging days.

Aldenville Baptist Forms Search Committee

Mark writes. On May 21st, I joined the Aldenville Baptist Church newly formed Search Committee to begin the process of searching for their next pastoral leader following Pastor Gary Gilpin’s retirement. The group spent time going over the ABPS search process and learning how to build their congregational profile. Pastor Gary has served Aldenville for over 18 years so it has been a while since the congregation had to conduct a pastoral search. Grateful for these partners in ministry who will be taking point as the church family prepares to go through a pastoral transition, celebrating Pastor Gary’s long and fruitful ministry while also looking to the future and their next pastor.

The Baptist Church of West Chester celebrates Youth Sunday

Youth Sunday. May 19, 2019. God has blessed BCWC with amazing youth! It was a joy to see them lead the worship service! Thank you to all who helped!
  Great pictures of Youth Sunday at the Baptist Church Of West Chester, lead pastor Rev. David Braneky and Part Time Pastor Zach Wooten. Looks like it was a wonderful Sunday with lots of kids involved in worship. 

Calvary Allentown Celebrates
Rev Mardy von Harten
40th Ordination Anniversary

Jeff writes ...
Sunday May 20th, was another special day in the life of Calvary Baptist, Allentown, but a VERY special in the life of their pastor, Rev. Manfred von Harten. Three baptisms were conducted and a total of five people were received into membership, including the Rukambe's from Zimbabwe. During and after the service, the congregation celebrated the 40Tth anniversary of Pastor Mardy's ordination, given him back in 1979 by the Community Baptist Church in Chaffee, NY. Nearly half of those forty years have been spent serving at Calvary. Congratulations were read from the various congregations Pastor Mardy served through the years. Actually, literally while our region's letter was being read, the Chaffee Church called in to give their congrats live! Pastor Mardy was then surrounded by the leadership of the church asking a continuing blessing on his continuing ministry. Following the sermon, "Living Your Baptism" and the conclusion of the worship service, a reception was held where gifts were given and cake was enjoyed! It was a wonderful day for everyone, not the least of whom were the Harten's ... Pastor Mardy and Peggy. Truly, this church lives out its mission mantra it developed during their co::lab (vision) work a few years back, "Growing Lives by Embracing Everyone in the Love of Christ."

Mission and Vision at FBC Emporium

Mark writes. On May 18th, I joined Rev Jim Horton and the church family at FBC Emporium for a fellowship dinner and then a meeting to talk about vision and being missional in their community.

We used the Co::lab process to explain the importance of determining a congregation’s Kingdom Concept to do effective mission and outreach. It was great listening to the ministries currently taking place at the church and dreaming about ways to enhance some of those ministries, possibly bring some ministries to a close along with considering new ministries that connect with the community using the church families gifts and passions.

Very much appreciate Pastor Jim, his wife Grace and the church family for their hard work last night and being such great partners in ministry.

FBC Mansfield Memorial Service for
Rev Ben Nevin

Frank writes: Today (May 18th) the family of faith remembered a wonderful servant of the King—the Rev. Benjamin E. Nevin, Jr., who went home to be with his LORD on April 5, 2019. Rev. Cheryl Filson, Pastor is the FBC of Mansfield led a beautiful service of remembrance that featured beautiful music, a number of touching family reminiscences from Ben’s children as well as words or remembrance from myself, former Pastor Rev. Dr. John Whitfield and dear friend, Rev. Grace Shirk. Following the service the congregation shared a wonderful meal prepared by the church family.

Baptisms And Honoring Veterans at FBC Berwick

May 19th was quite a big day at FBC, Berwick, as 4 were Baptized and 2 were presented with Quilts of Valor for their years of service in the Military.
Julia Troiani, Mia Daddio, Ashlyn Zanoline and Stanley Hayes were baptized. Pastor Vivian Smith-Fountain, Pastor Rob Rice, and Lay-Pastor in training, Deb Copeland, were doing duty in the Baptismal.

Next on our program was the presentation of Quilts of Valor. Reverend Dr. Herman Fountain and Mr. Dale Rev. Herman were in the Air Force, and Mr. Krothe was in the Navy.

The sermon was given by Pastor Rob Rice, a former pastor at FBC. It was a wonderful worship and praise service, and we enjoyed the company of friends and family of the candidates receiving Baptism. It was a beautiful morning.