Brazil or Bust!

Now that the Thrive Conference is a wonderful memory, we now begin the work of suitcase retrieval across the Region. Many suitcases have already made their way to Lancaster for Hope Unlimited’s Thrift Shop ministry, but there are lots more to move! Our AB Women are amazing partners in ministry and mission when they take on a project.

Welcome, Pastor Beau!

Franklin Park Baptist Church in the Pittsburgh Association is pleased to introduce their new pastor, Beau Gamble. He and his wife Laura and children [daughter Dakota, and sons Landon, Wyatt and Tanner] will be moving from Casper Wyoming to Pittsburgh the end of this month, a trek of some 1500 miles; straight shot on I-80 East! Welcome to ABCOPAD!

New Hope is Building

New Hope Christian Church, Broomall, is building big! The new structure has moved forward quickly. The foundation is poured, the walls are up, the windows are next! To the left will be kitchen and bathrooms and the right is hallway joining the old with the new. It's exciting to see these partners in ministry at New Hope expanding ministry to the community with this new gymnasium/fellowship hall.

Welcome, Pastor David!

Moreland Baptist Church in the Northumberland Association is pleased to introduce their new pastor, Rev. David Guenin, and his wife Naomi. Welcome to ABCOPAD!

A Week in Waynesburg

Dan Butcher (Student Ministry Leader) at FBC Norristown collaborated with Pastors Jim and Cathie Carpenter (WWJD) to create a Mission Project Week in Waynesburg. Dan and his team of students took on a number of significant work projects organized by Pastors Cathie and Jim.

The projects included replacing a fence...

rebuilding a deck, painting a deck,

putting on a new roof and more.

It was a joy seeing the students working on these projects as well as meeting a few of the homeowners who were VERY grateful for the work being done. It was awesome seeing these two ABCOPAD partnering congregations work together on this mission trip.

Under The Big Top

Vacation Bible School at FBC Waynesburg used the theme of a carnival for this year's program.

 Mandi Restanio, Director of Youth and Technology at FBC, shows off the new cotton candy machine the church purchased. (You know the kids love that!)

Dawn Mankey, VBS Decorator and Craft Person, turned the fellowship hall into a big top tent for the event! The leadership team prepared for an evening with lots of kids being together after struggling through the pandemic and experiencing the love of Jesus live and in person.

Horning Retirement Celebration

The congregation at Shinglehouse First Baptist Church honors Pastor Rusty Horning upon his retirement after 35 Years of Service and Pastoral Leadership. Well done!

La Paz 2021

It was great seeing these pictures shared by Rev. Eric Kraihanzel following the return of the mission team from La Paz, Mexico. Pastor Eric is the Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church of Lansdale. Wonderful seeing a mission team in action as it becomes safer to travel following the pandemic!

CABC Baptism

Christ's American Baptist Church, Spring Grove, celebrates a number of baptisms during a recent worship service. It is awesome seeing these folk coming out of the pandemic making public professions of faith in Jesus.

Seek And Ye Shall Find

Even in the midst of covid restrictions, Search Committees have been diligent in their work to find pastoral leadership.

The Search Committee at the Calvary Baptist Church in Williamsport is meeting the challenge with news that their pastor, Rev. Pete Wilson, will be retiring at the end of the year. The team has spent time discussing next steps regarding the use of MinistrElife to identify potential pastoral leaders along with the possibility of creating a Bi-vocational and Co-vocational pastoral leadership team at the church.

The folk at Sullivan State Road Baptist Church are engaged in the process to fill their pulpit, as their pastor Rev. Sherri Butters, announced her intention to retire later this year. Having served for over a decade and even postponing her retirement during the pandemic, not leaving the church family without a pastor in the midst of COVID-19, the congregation is discussing their options moving forward.

Pandemic Obstacles Overcome

Watsontown Baptist Church is one of many ABCOPAD congregations that have adapted to the challenges of covid restrictions. John Fairchild expanded his knowledge of sound technology to help the Watsontown Baptist Church with their online worship. (There were the early months of the pandemic when former Watsontown BC pastor, Rev Jim Ritter used a simple cell phone in the fellowship hall of the church to go online via Facebook Live.)

Watsontown now has a very robust system established in the sanctuary for broadcast ministry.

And check out the young man joining John at the tech station to work on the laptop. This is one place younger members of the church who have grown up as digital natives can shine and contribute their skills and talents as partners in ministry.

Wedded Bliss

Dick Sturdevant, one of our Certified Lay Ministers serving at the Bentley Creek Baptist Church, has every good reason to smile. Word has crossed the region that Pastor Dick and congregational leader Joanne have recently married! Congratulations!