Welcome, All!

FBC, Johnsonburg, certainly began the new year with a bang. They welcomed 16 new members into the congregation. God is good!

Behind The Scenes

The youth from FBC, Kittanning, had a great visit to their local firehouse and got to see a little bit of what goes on behind the scenes. They got a full tour with some of the members of Hose Company #6 to see the equipment and gear and got to try some of it out for themselves. What a great field trip to hang out with some of the local heroes and first responders.

Stuffed

The children’s ministry at FBC, Lansdale, donated stuffed animals to Montgomery County Health Department. They give stuffed animals to children experiencing hardships and home transitions throughout the county. What a great way to teach children and practice what it means to love your neighbor as yourself!

One Meal

First Baptist Church, Milton, is partnering with Kids Around the World and seizing the opportunity to bless hundreds of children with food for an entire year. FBC has committed to purchasing and packing 40,000 meals, which would provide a meal for 109 children every day for a year!

Chocolate Heaven

The ladies at FBC, Monongahela, gathered for a time of fellowship and chocolate! The fellowship hall was filled with vats of chocolate fondue for dipping pretzels, marshmallows, donuts, strawberries, fingers, etc, etc, etc. And you can be sure --- there were lots of smiles!

Kingdom Kidz

At Montandon Baptist Church, Kingdom Kidz Puppet Ministry always brings a smile to the faces of children and adults when they are featured in a morning worship service.

I was hungry...

Nebo Baptist Church holds a monthly food and produce distribution program to serve its community. Preregistration is not necessary, but food is provided on a first come, first served basis. Don't you know --- It's always a blessing when we serve even "the least of these"!

Your word I have treasured

Recently, at FBC, Shinglehouse, new Bibles were presented to the Sunday School kids who had advanced to higher classes. You know these youngsters are loved and nurtured in faith!

Interpretive Dance

Pastor Pete Wilson demonstrates Baptist Interpretive Dance ...sort of.

Say No More!

Rev. Melvin Thomas, recently called pastor at the Calvary Baptist Church of Allentown, recently spoke with Mark Mahserjian-Smith. Along with a number of topics we discussed, Pastor Melvin mentioned the baptisms he performed during worship on Sunday. Pastor Melvin heard one of Mark's mantras, “You ought to be able to find pictures of recent baptism on Baptist social media.” When I asked Pastor Melvin to send some pics he said, “Say no more (more or less)”.

Preacher, Pastor, Parson

As our Geographic Pastoral Servants travel across the region, we're given the opportunity to meet some of our great ABCOPAD pastors.

[L-R]

Tim Kutch [FBC, Ford City]; Ray Crownover [Mill Creek Baptist]; Jay VanHorn [Cross Road Baptist]

Mark Hillwig [East Brady]; Cathie & Jim Carpenter [WWJD]; Reggie Bass [Greater Zion, Harrisburg]

Dennis Horne [Wayne Park, Erie]; David Ford [First Regular Baptist, Huntingdon]; Jim Levan, [Slatington Baptist Church]

Medical Missions DR 2022

Rev. Kevin Zufall (lead pastor at FBC Troy and East Troy Baptist Church), who served on the Medical Mission Team in the Dominican Republic, shares a video he made following the trip.

Serving Time

Volunteers from the Parkesburg Baptist Church went to the nearby Tel Hai Camp and Conference Center in Honeybrook with serving hearts and hands. Painting, cleaning, and hanging drywall were just a few of the projects of the day. While some team members worked on construction and carpentry projects, others assisted in the dining hall making lunch. What a great way to share/serve/support/smile!

Say'n Thanks!

West Shore Baptist Church deeply appreciates their volunteers and all they do to strengthen its ministry. Recently, they hosted a “thank you” lunch for all those involved in its music ministry, ushers, greeters, and scripture readers.

In Stitches

Volunteers at Olive Branch Baptist Church, Vernon, have been soooo busy making no-sew blankets to give out to residents at a nearby nursing home. A total of 60 kits were purchased, with work days scheduled to complete the project. What a blessing to be a blessing! (Needle-ss to say, it's great therapy for anyone who seam-stressed!)

Welcome, Pastor Mark

Rev. Mark Bauer was recently elected as the next pastor of the North Ten Mile Baptist Church. Pastor Mark was selected after sharing during the Sunday School and Worship Services. A luncheon was held prior to the congregation having the opportunity to ask his opinions on everything church related. Rev. Bauer will officially preach his first sermon from the historic North Ten Mile pulpit on Sunday, February 27th.

Super Selfie Specialist

Geographic Pastoral Servant Rob Rice has been working to perfect his selfie shot skills. Be on guard! He's been out and about visiting a number of our ABCOPAD Pastors, including (T-B):

Dave Guenin...  Moreland Baptist Church, Muncy
Howard Woodruff...  Calvary Baptist Church, Williamsport
Dave Jacobs...  Clinton Baptist Church, Montgomery
Tim Robson...  Federated Church, East Smithfield
John McCarty...  White Hall Baptist Church, Danville

For this I was appointed a preacher

What an exciting Saturday evening at North Hills Community Baptist as the congregation ordained Felicia Abril Zamora. There were literally people from across the country at the ceremony; Arizona, Oregon, New York BUT also from her home country of Nicaragua, not the least of which was her own mother.

The service was presided over by Rev Dr Tim Spring (retiring senior pastor of the church). The preacher for the service was a Rev Page. Pastor Page met Felicia many years ago when she traveled to Nicaragua with a group from the American Baptist Churches of Mid-American (Iowa and Minnesota). They have been fast friends ever since.

A New Season

Rev. Dr. Tim Spring and his wife, Pauline, have entered a new season of life. The folk at North Hills Community Baptist Church prepared a special day of recognition and celebration for Pastor Tim's retirement after serving the congregation faithfully and fruitfully for 32 years. Jeffrey Johnson was asked to deliver the morning message. Rev Felicia Abril Zamora provided the children's lesson, talking about change. Special music was provided by the church's choir.

Afterward, a wonderful luncheon was provided to hundreds in attendance.

GPS Orientation

Say hello to our new Geographic Pastoral Servants! These newly appointed staff gathered in Camp Hill, PA, for several days of orientation. During our region's period of transition and in partnership with our Co-Executive Pastors (acting), these GPSers are commissioned to come alongside of local pastors and congregations to encourage, support, and assist in local ministries. [L-R: Dan McDowell, Rob Rice, Bob Keiderling, Randy Powell, Cristy Wise, Kelly Legg ... plus Jeffrey Johnson and Mark Mahserjian-Smith]

Bob Keiderling

Welcome, Pastor Howard!

Calvary Baptist Church, Williamsport, has called Rev. Dr. Howard Woodruff to be their Bi-vocational pastor. While coming out of a United Methodist background Pastor Howard preached a powerful message looking at John the Baptist and Jesus' baptism that would have made any Baptist Pastor proud. We're grateful for this new partner in ministry and welcome him to the ABCOPAD family!

Godspeed Pastor Pete

At his retirement celebration, Pastor Pete Wilson [Calvary Baptist Church, Williamsport] explained he had been in the process of cleaning out his office. After 25 plus years of ministry, clearing out the office and packing its contents was been quite an undertaking! Pastor Pete began gifting some of the “treasures” he uncovered prior to the celebration. The new pastor of the church, Rev. Howard Woodruff, received a book of clean jokes that could be included in a sermon!

A Pair of Preachers

At the First Baptist Church of Milton, Pastor Jamie Dries and Associate Pastor and RMA for ABCOPAD Student Ministries Andy Reich comprise a great leadership team for a vibrant church in central Pennsylvania. You can tell by the smiles on the faces of the congregation (even behind the masks)!

Head Stand

All across Pennsylvania and Delaware, the ministry of Leadership Learning Communities [LLC] has been a lifeline for many pastors in ABCOPAD who have struggled during the pandemic. While many of our region pastors already participate, Rev. Tim Munson [FBC, York] will (yes!) literally stand on his head to encourage other pastors to come! For more info click HERE!

Welcome, Pastor Valerie!

Congrats to Pastor Valerie Black! Serving as the Interim at Baptist Tabernacle in Wilkes-Barre since November 2020, she has now been called to become their next seated Pastor. Pastor Val also serves as our Regional Ministry Associate for "Protect My Ministry" providing background checks to church staff and providing churches assistance to churches regarding safety and security matters. [FYI: Pastor Black is a native of Scranton and has worked as a probation officer for Lackawanna County since 1997. She attended Mansfield University and graduated in 1994 with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration.]

Welcome, Pastor Clint!

First Baptist Church of Shinglehouse has a new pastor! At a Special Meeting, there was a vote on calling Rev. Clint Pearsall to fill the pastoral position on a permanent and full time basis. There was a great turn out of membership and the vote was unanimous! ABCOPAD is excited, happy, and thankful to have Pastor Clint and his wife Stephanie as part of our regional family.

Small Church - Big Hearts