FALL 2013 | USPS 165-700
Aextravagant Call To
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LIFE
Faicareth Generosity
Inside: 2013 Ministers’ Enrichment..page 2 extravagant Care...page 8 extravagant Generosity...page 16
DISTRICT CALENDAR » SEPTEMBER Advance Back to School Retreat – BCC Labor Day – Ministries Center Closed Executive Presbytery – Fall Session Credential Interviews RR West Division Fall Camporee Campus Awareness Day Women in Ministry Retreat – BCC RR East Division Fall Camporee PennDel Charities Offering See You at the Pole
» OCTOBER 1-31 Ministers’ Appreciation Month 5 Bible Quiz Meet #1 7 Youth Committee Meeting 7-9 Ministers’ Enrichment – BCC STL Goal Setting Reception 11-13 RR Territorial Rendezvous 12 Junior Bible Quiz Meet #1 13 National STL Day 18-19 Honor Bound Men’s Conference – CLA, Camp Hill 19-21 PK/MK Retreat – BCC
» NOVEMBER 3 Daylight Savings Time Ends 4 STL Tour – SCE 5 STL Tour – NC 7 STL Tour – SCW 8 STL Tour – SC 9 Junior Bible Quiz Meet #2 9 RR Regional Business Meeting 11 STL Tour – GPA 12 STL – DMV 14 STL Tour – EC 15 STL Tour – NE 15-16 Women of Purpose Conference – Hershey, PA 18 STL Tour – SWS 19 STL Tour – NCW 21 STL Tour – NW 22 STL Tour – SWM 22-24 Young Adult and Singles Outreach One Day To Feed The World Offering 28-29 Thanksgiving – Ministries Center Closed
A Call To extravagant october 7-9, 2013 bongiorno conference center
SPEAKER
30-2 2 9 10 13-15 15 20-22 20-22 22 25
BRYAN JARRETT While in a drunken stupor, Bryan had an encounter with God that radically altered his life. There was an immediate passion to reproduce in others what God had started in him. At his water baptism he delivered his first sermon and four of his friends gave their lives to Christ, and they were all baptized together. He was hooked! Several years later, Bryan married his church camp sweetheart, Haley. She has given him three awesome kids: Cadyn (13), Gavyn (12) and Addisyn (8). God has graciously expanded the reach of their ministry to opportunities around the world and throughout our fellowship as an Executive Presbyter. But, according to Bryan, the most rewarding is being called “Pastor” at Northplace Church near Dallas.
For BCC accommodations and meals: call: 717.243.7381 email: reservations@bongiornocc.com
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Or register for meals online @ www.penndel.org
Superintendent
live an
Pastor Stephen Tourville, D. Min. 717.795.5921 supt@penndel.org
extravagant Few of us would describe the life we live as extravagant. We get our bills paid on time, live in a modest home and drive a modest car. Modest would better describe who we are, not extravagant. Ok, sure when we compare our lifestyle to the majority of the world’s population we are wealthy. But really, extravagant is not a word most of us identify as a description of who we are.
life
Comparisons are always risky. No matter what you have, someone else has more or better. Regardless how wealthy you may be, someone else is wealthier. When we play that game, we always lose. We always feel we are on the short end of the stick because we are focusing on what we do not have rather than on what we do have.
Being extravagant is not about how much we have, it is about how much we are willing to give. I love the story of Jesus with his disciples in the Temple. A poor widow put two small copper coins into the treasury. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44) The heart is what Jesus observed. That is what he looks for in you and me as well. Extravagance begins in the heart to please God and give Him our all. I am convinced that one of the greatest challenges of the Christian life is to think like Jesus. Intentionally moving from a “poverty mentality” (not just poverty) to an “abundance mentality” helps free us to live extravagantly.
Being extravagant begins by focusing on how good God has been to you. The old gospel song says it well, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”
We are excited to have Bryan Jarrett at our Ministers’ Enrichment this year. I trust you can join us for a great time of encouragement as we rise to the challenge of living extravagantly for the Lord!
Rise to the challenge of living extravagantly for the Lord!
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Assistant Superintendent Bryan Koch 610.678.0266 ext. 224 bryankoch@gtaog.org
extravagant
FAITH
We need to understand that, in my view, there are two sides to the extravagant faith coin...
1{ 2{ We can feel like a grasshopper or we can step up with courage like Caleb!
faith + contemplation Pray hard, listen to God’s plan, and hope things get done. Hope for some donations, pray some more and hope some more. extravagant faith + contemplation = extravagant faith. But there’s no action, just contemplation. I have experienced this at times, and I have seen it in other leaders. It is a trap that causes us to miss, or at best, delay God’s plan.
faith + action Pray hard, listen to God’s plan, and get to work! Build a team, meet with experts, pray some more, work harder, take risks, and pray some more. extravagant faith + action = the fact that my faith needs steps. I have experienced the power of this here at GT Church over the past twenty-five years. Extravagant faith to reach, to plant, to grow and to build!
As a young pastor, I was deeply impacted by a story of extravagant faith in the Old Testament. It was the story of the spies sent into the promised land by Moses. Here is part of the follow-up report given: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.” Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” (Numbers 13:27b-30)
GT Ground Breaking in 1996
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Caleb and Joshua weren’t simply “idealists” proclaiming that the glass is half full, but instead they were “visionary realists.” They didn’t ignore the problems, or try to gloss over the concerns, but instead they looked beyond the problems to the
solutions. Can you see only problems or do you see solutions to those problems? Do you see a lack of finances, volunteers, leaders and all sorts of needs, or do you see potential donors, people seeking purpose and the next generation of leaders? Do you have extravagant faith?
It’s not enough to finish the race...
Remember Joshua and Caleb not only saw the Promised Land, but they realized that it would require something from them if they were going to occupy it. They knew that it would cost the Israelites something if they were going to enter into the Land. There were battles to be waged and sacrifices to be made. Their entry into the land of milk and honey wasn’t going to be on a path of ease. Sometimes we presume, and sometimes we’re taught, that if we’re in the will of God then we’ll never have any problems. That, in my opinion, is an extravagant deception. Just like there are two sides to every coin, there are two extremes when it comes to taking action. John Maxwell puts it this way, “Procrastinators are at one extreme: putting off actions or decisions when they really should be making a move. At the other end of the spectrum is the impatient person: one who rushes to make a decision or to take action, even when it is unwise.” As a leader, I tend to be closer to the impatient end of the scale, so I need to have balance when there is a piece of “land” that God wants our church to possess.
To evaluate a vision or strategy, I like to apply the faith test of Numbers 13: Faith Giants Built on strategy Built on fate Aware of the battle Based totally on fear and luck Aware of your strengths Aware only of your weaknesses Challenges you Overwhelms you Every leader I know wants to achieve something great for God’s name and glory. So our faith and vision have to be extravagant. But if it seems overwhelming or even impossible, then at the very least, you should spend more time in the praying and planning stage to break it down into manageable steps. But don’t stop there. You need to enlist the help of some Caleb’s in your circle, who, like the one in Numbers, offered this advice to God’s leader Moses…
IF YOU ARE LAUNCING A CHURCH OR HAVE PLANTED IN THE LAST 36 MONTHS, CMN ESSENTIAL IS FOR YOU & YOUR LEADERS.
September 9-13, 2013 Allison Park Church 2236 Duncan Avenue Allison Park, PA 15101
Registration Visit CMNEssential.com to find and register for an event near you. Questions Email questions to cmnessential@ag.org Call 417.862.2781 x3500 Visit CMNEssential.com
“We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 5
Secretary/Treasurer Donald J. Immel 717.795.5921 don@penndel.org
Ministers Transferring In:
ABOUT PEOPLE
Meet Our New Secretary/Treasurer
Baker, D. Alan (Ordained) from Indiana Dela Cruz, Justin (Licensed) from New Jersey Dela Cruz, Roli G. (Ordained) from Philippines Gen Council of the AG Novales, Mark (Certified) from Spanish Eastern District Rodriguez, Gabriel B. (Licensed) from Southern New England
Ministers Transferring Out: Mascaro, Brian A. (Licensed) to Southern New England McNaughton, Cherisse (Licensed) to Rocky Mountain
New and Upgraded Credentials: Licensed Minister McClanahan, Shane M Schuele, Peggy A.
Credentials Reinstated Jackson, Kathleen (Certified) Miranto, Joel J. (Certified)
About Churches:
Michael Goodling to Glad Tidings AG, McClellandtown, PA Tim Halbig to Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Abington, PA Craig Johnson to Christian Life Assembly, Stroudsburg, PA Michael A. Outrich to River of Life AG, Sunbury, PA Stephen Potutschnig to Berwick AG, Berwick, PA
Parent Affiliated Assembly: Bridging the Gap Ministries – Somerville, AL Walter Smith, Parent Church Lead Pastor Virginia Young, PAC Leader Pastoral Transitions: D. Alan Baker to Parkview AG, Newark, DE Jeremiah Baker to Faith AG, Roaring Spring, PA
With the Lord Steve McElhaney, age 42, after a short bout with cancer, on Sunday, May 26, 2013. Steve served as children’s pastor at Metro Assembly of God in Pittsburgh, and Riverside Tabernacle in Flint, MI; director of Camp Grace in Georgia. Most recently Steve served as assistant pastor and worship leader at New Day Assembly of God in Upper St. Clair. Acts 20:24 “however, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to good news of God’s grace.” 6 | Network connexions | Fall 2013
James R. Hollenbaugh, age 74, went to be with the Lord on June 12, 2013. James was a graduate of Zion Bible College. His first pastorate was serving in God’s House of Prayer, Fowler, Ohio. James was ordained into the Free Gospel organization in 1960 and taught at the Free Gospel Bible Institute for seven years. In 1967 he was ordained into the Assemblies of God and moved to Milton, PA where he and his wife Mary faithfully served as pastors for 37 years until his retirement in 2004.
What a joy it has been getting acclimated to our new ministry role as Secretary Treasurer of our beloved ministry network here in the PennDel District! Robin and I have enjoyed thirty one years of pastoral ministry – much of it right here in Pennsylvania. Robin and I have served in three churches as youth pastors, music directors, pastoral counselors, along with the diverse requests and demands that growing churches present to associate ministers. Additionally, we were honored to take a home missions church through the growth process from home missions to a thriving community presence in Uniontown. After eighteen years of growth, the Lord called us to New Stanton to build on the solid foundation of ministry left by our predecessors. It was a special honor for me to serve on our District Presbytery from 1997 through 2013. So many have contributed to our spiritual formation and ministry development. It is my hope and prayer that we will continue to be used by the Lord to contribute to our ministry family through encouragement, friendship, and networking the way that others have so generously contributed to our lives. I am here for you, my friends. If I can be a blessing to you, your family, or your church – please don’t hesitate to connect with me. I live to serve Him; I serve Him by serving you. Don and Robin have been married for 32 years, and have three children: Benjamin (28), Rebecca (25), and Donnie (21).
Connecting...
Pastoral Commissioning Pastor Christopher & Tara Duvall Hamlin AG • Hamlin, PA
Mortgage Burning
Pastor Bill & Joanie Dick New Franklin AG • Chambersburg, PA
Pastoral Commissioning Pastor Jeremiah & Victoria Baker Faith AG • Roaring Spring, PA
Pastoral Commissioning
Pastor Christopher & Cheryl Golembiowski & Family Christian Life Assembly • Melcroft, PA
Mortgage Burning
Pastor Cliff & Patricia Hamilton East Erie AG • Erie, PA
National Sheriff’s Association Chaplain of the Year Adventure FEST
Raystown Lake • Huntingdon, PA
Pastor Chuck Kish Bethel AG • Carlisle, PA
See full story @ www.penndel.org
PennDel and STL supporters… THANK YOU for making it possible for Teen Challenge Training Center to receive a 2012 Ford Van with 11,000 miles. Anything under 5 years old and 100,000 miles is considered “new”! We drive thousands of miles each week for classes, street evangelism, prison ministry, church visitation, choir outings, medical and dental appointments, etc. We appreciate your generosity in giving to the Lord and partnering with the “Faith based solution for the drug epidemic.”
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Guest Contributors Pastor Walter & Lynn Smith Abundant Life A/G Altoona, PA
extravagant
Walt & Lynn in their VFCC days Walt & Lynn during a cruise
The CAREGIVER’S STORY…
By Walter Smith Lead Pastor, SCW Presbyter
September 29, 2012—7:12AM… The men’s fellowship meeting was into the second worship chorus. My wife Lynn texted me—her blood pressure was dropping- rapidly. Usually my cell phone is turned off during men’s meetings, but that Saturday morning was different. It was on vibrate. I rushed home to find my wife in adrenal crises. We administered a prescribed shot of dexamethasone sodium phosphate, rushed her to the emergency room and was told that several more hours Lynn, the love of my life, could have died. So along with Lynn’s psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, coronary microvascular disease, from which she had suffered for years, she now was suffering from Crohns disease since early 2012. On top of all those prognoses, her adrenal glands were now not functioning properly; thus, the adrenal crises. Since that frightening September morning, we have also faced several mini-strokes. Currently, as I write this article, the possibility of multiple scoliosis or even Parkinson’s disease are possibilities on top of the other diagnosis. Yet, God has given us assurance
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that He is walking with us through these uncharted waters. Our church family has been remarkably supportive through days of prayer and fasting, laying on of hands, giving prayer cloths, handkerchiefs and even a ‘prayer quilt’ [each piece of the quilt being prayed over by individuals in the church and then sewn together to make the beautiful quilt] Lynn lays under her prayer quilt each night!! I have had to learn to be the caregiver for my wife and assist her with a host of things, each one reminding me of the vows we made to each other back in 1976 at our wedding. The most prominent vow being the one where I promised to love her “in sickness and in health.” Because I have always been so much in love with her, it isn’t really too hard to do! Through our entire year and a half of facing the challenges of change in our lifestyles, GOD has shown me that “He and only HE, grants to us the grace that is needed for each new day.” Thank you Lord for Your grace and thank you, Lynn, for your love!!
“He and only HE, grants to that is needed for each
Care
One in every 3 households has a member who is a
The PATIENT’s STORY…
By Lynn Smith Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Former Administrative Assistant
caregiver. The USA Today says there are over 44 million caregivers in the USA at the present time. Most are women; yet, they also comprise men and children—even young children. These precious caregivers are looking after someone who can’t fully take care of themselves. At times it is a temporary illness; in other cases, it is a progressive disease, and in many instances, it is terminal. Caregivers assist parents, spouses, sons or daughters, other family members and even friends. In almost every situation the caregiver makes a huge sacrifice in giving the proper care to the individual in need of care. Caregivers are remarkable people exhibiting love and compassion, giving needed assistance and help, yet they are individuals who often overlook their own personal care. So who cares for the caregiver? What should the caregiver ‘do’ to take care of themselves? Here’s a brief Rx prescription:
1. Daily devotions and time alone with the Lord to recharge spiritually.
Serious illness is not pleasant. Sometimes I laugh; at other times I cry. I laugh when I am asked to walk a straight line, and it is anything but a straight line. I cry knowing that ‘Depends’ do not make pretty diapers. It seems that everything I have identified myself with has dramatically changed in the last year and a half. I used to work administratively at our church office; now I sleep a lot and can barely get out of bed. I used to travel everywhere with my husband, Walt; now I stay home most of the time except to go to doctor appointments. People come to visit me now where I once visited them. Change is challenging. However, I am thankful for a God and a husband that are caring, selfless and committed to caring for me.
o us the grace new day”.
2. Proper attention to one’s own physical health, eating right, personal doctor’s appointments, exercise and much needed rest.
3. Take time to rest, relax and find some respite. Read or have a hobby.
4. Find a support system and join online caregiving groups for encouragement.
5. A dear friend of mine says ‘Be sweet in your soul’— a must for every caregiver!
6. Laugh and laugh some more. 7. Don’t stop caring! 8. Invent a 25-hour day! A care-free life is not realistic. Caregiving is a challenge. We are all caregivers in some degree as we journey through this life. We never walk alone. We must navigate the various obstacles that come our way. So let’s walk faithfully—with God and with others by taking care of ourselves. Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 9
World Missions David Crosby Sr. 717.795.5921 dcroz@penndel.org
Missions Renewal 2013 Seventy-four new missionaries were commissioned by Dr. George Wood at the 55th Annual Commissioning Service on June 27, 2013, to carry the good news to the uttermost parts of the earth. The class chose “Pack Your Coffin” as their identifying statement. Early Assemblies of God missionaries were known to pack their goods in coffins and ship them to their field of calling, spending their life for Christ. These
missionaries responded to their call willing to give their life as an ultimate sacrifice, releasing their destiny to God. This just might be the last group of new missionaries the Assemblies of God would send before Jesus returns! Pastor Chad Harvey reminded the class that God was in control and that they were to be on the offensive, to be dangerous, to be strong, to be bold and do great exploits!
the hope center update. UNREACHED PEOPLES IMPERATIVE
www.beyond.ag.org
AGWM RESEARCH
beyond.upgs@ag.org I 417.862.2781 ext. 2068
penndel missions project 2012-2013. The Jacob’s Hope missions project has reached $250,000 in cash and commitments! The project extends through 2013, allowing additional time for churches and individuals to submit commitments. The funds will assist Rabbi Jeff Friedman with the purchase and remodeling of a warehouse in Israel. Jacob’s Hope will use the facility for distribution of food and clothing, for a job training center, as a sanctuary for local Messianic communities, and a coffee house to reach youth with a presentation of the gospel. Pastor Stephen Getchell is leading a group of pastors on a vision casting mission to Israel in October 2013. The group will visit numerous Jacob’s Hope distribution sites and see firsthand the impact the compassion ministry has among the least and last. Kay Stepp is organizing a MAPS construction team to work with the Jacob’s Hope project in March 2014. The team will assist Rabbi Jeff in remodeling a building to house the Jacob’s Hope Center plus visit significant sights in the Holy Land.
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Missionary Update: • Jerry and Paula Ireland have recently been appointed as Directors of AG Care, and in that role will facilitate compassionate ministry all across the African continent. They will base out of West Africa but will travel to all parts of the continent when they assume this new role at the beginning of 2014. The Irelands are replacing Don Tucker in this role, who retires at the end of this year. • Michael and Darlene Goodling have resigned their appointment to Swaziland and have returned to the active ministers list. The Goodlings have returned to PennDel to pastor Glad Tidings AG, McClellandtown, PA. • Steve and Lori Potutschnig have resigned their appointment to Bolivia after 16 years of faithful service. The Potutschnigs will assume lead pastor at Berwick Assembly of God on August 1, 2013. • Jeff Zito – PennDel Missionary Associate – has raised his budget and has been cleared for ministry on the Jacob’s Hope team. • Zach Wable – PennDel Missionary Associate – has raised his budget and will begin a 2 year commitment with Live Dead in Africa.
HonorBound
Tom Rees 717.795.5921 tom@penndel.org
Christian Life Center • Bensalem, PA
2013 Ordination Class
Jeremiah & Victoria Baker
Christopher & Courtney Barnes
Shawn & Kristal Bentley
John & Andrea Bowman
Robert & Cheryl Bryant
Ana & Mike Dascalescu
Douglas & Brittany Favuzza
Thomas & Roxann Ferris
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Timothy & Krista Halbig
Raymond & Ruth Hernandez
Andrew & Lindsay Hoover
Alfred & Lisa Hunt
Curt & Charisse Jenkins
Samuel & Memuna Konteh
Anthony & Kandace Lecocq
Brandon & Connie Lemois
Thomas & Robyn Loverde
Christopher & Jessica Massey
Dorothy & James Rugg
Michael & Debra Smith
2013 Jubilarians
50 Years of Ordained Ministry
Eric & Tiffany Spanier
Frederick & Christie Werkheiser
Sue & Chuck Willis
Brett & Rebekah Zeiler
David Vespa, Harry Brotzman Jr., and Roger Rakon (not pictured) Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 13
Christian education Director, Bongiorno Conf. Center George Krebs 717.795.5921 george@penndel.org
extravagant
Disciples
Pray Pray for laborers; Jesus tells us Luke 10:2 “the fields are ready for harvest but the workers are few.” We need to spend time praying for extravagant disciples.
State your expectations up front Make serving in ministry a requirement. No one joins an organization without a membership requirement, the same with the church.
Extravagant by definition means more than necessary, more than expected, exceeding the limits; those are the ideal disciples we need in the church today. Extravagant disciples do not just sit and enjoy the service; they are people who do service, and do it with passion. We can make it happen. How do we get there? Chuck Lawless in his book, Membership Matters, gives us seven principles to move new believers and contented saints to extravagant disciples. It seems simple, but it’s work; isn’t that what we are called to do?
Have some type of ministry placement process It can be very simple, but people need to know it’s there. It just has to be there if you want extravagant disciples.
Recruit face-to-face Most people are thrilled to be a part of what’s taking place in a local church when asked face to face. It shows they are important to you and the kingdom.
Offer entry-level ministry positions Not everyone is ready to be a leader, deacon or teacher. However, everyone can serve somewhere and become more Christ-like.
Recognize and affirm workers Too often people are taken for granted and forgotten. There are many ways we can make people feel what they do is important, after all they’re doing it for Jesus
Be a part of the mission! The Bongiorno Conference Center exists to see lives transformed by God’s power. We strive to provide the spiritual atmosphere that will facilitate successful retreats and camps.
Projects to be completed include:
Bring your family, men’s ministry, women’s ministry, youth ministry, or small group to the Bongiorno Conference Center to assist with work projects. We will provide meals, lodging, and a meeting room for you; you just provide the people!
• renovations to the cottage kitchen and bathroom
• painting the hotel rooms and meeting rooms
Contact: Amanda Anderson at 717.243.7381 or aanderson@ bongiornocc.com
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul teaches us that God puts the church together as He wishes. It’s our job to help people find their place. Don’t become frustrated; remember step one. We are to pray, even Jesus recognized the workers are few and the work is great.
extravagant
Disciples
exceeding the limits (It’s possible)
It was at a Kids’ Camp held at the Bongiorno Conference Center where I was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was at a youth retreat when I received my call to the ministry. By supporting this ministry you are making an impact on future generations! —Donnie Immel: Student, Valley Forge Christian College One of my favorite things about working at BCC is when I get to enjoy a moment or two of what our Lord is doing here through camps and conferences. I am reminded of what we are really here for! Lives to be touched, souls to be won, people to be loved. —Durrell Bear Building and Grounds Director, Bongiorno Conference Center
• general carpentry • landscaping
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Don’t give up
Thank you to the team from Harrisburg First Assembly who completed several projects at Bongiorno Conference Center in 2012!
Valley Forge Christian College Expands Its Offerings
CHI ALPHA Campus Ministries:
Adopt - A - Campus With over 260 Bachelor degree granting schools in PennDel, we can reach the world by reaching the college and the university in your backyard! Things you can do: • Put a prayer request in the Sunday bulletin reminding people to be praying for your local school. • There are over 37,000 international students in PennDel. Contact your local school’s office of international students and find out what need you can meet. • Pray and challenge your congregation to pray about a “point person” to run with this ministry. • What internationals do you have in your congregation now? Ask them to be involved in reaching out to other internationals. • Host internationals at your home and in your church for special events; Christmas, Easter, Olympics, World Cup, etc… • Take a class on campus and get to know some students. • Utilize student volunteers. • Contact Joe and Heidi Barrale for more info (www.joeandheidi.com). • Visit ChiAlpha.com for free resources.
New PennDel Chi Alpha Internship If you are interested in full time campus missionary work contact Joel and Nichole Schreiber. Their Erie County internship will help prepare you for this amazing ministry on the college campus (http://www.ecxa.org).
Valley Forge Christian College is committed to helping each student accomplish his or her dreams of a college education so that each one can change their world. Offering new degree options and the Early Start Program are ways we can help students prepare for their God-given dreams! MORE OPPORTUNITIES VFCC is pleased to launch a total of 57 undergraduate and six graduate degrees this fall. With opportunities like these, students are able to customize their education even more than before!
New Majors include… • Global Business • Entrepreneurial Studies • Digital Media – Recording Arts • Intercultural Communications • Music Production • Family Studies • and many, many more! Coming Fall 2014… • Criminal Justice In the works... • Sports Management
EARLY START PROGRAM VFCC has a program that will possibly transform the costs of a student’s college education. The Early Start program reduces the cost of college by nearly 25% by allowing high school juniors and seniors to earn up to 24 college credits at VFCC for only $2,576. Even better, Early Start students who enroll at Valley Forge Christian College after high school will receive a $2,000 VFCC Early Start Scholarship, making the cost for the first year of college (24 credits) only $576 - a huge savings. The Early Start program offers online courses in Digital Media, History, Math, Science, Biblical Studies, English Literature, English Composition, Physical Education, Philosophy, Psychology and Fine Arts. Each of the classes provide high school students with foundational and, if not choosing to attend VFCC upon high school graduation, transferrable college credits.
To learn more about these incredible opportunities, visit vfcc.edu or call 800.432.VFCC.
Guest Contributor Pastor Steve DeFrain Morning Star Fellowship Bechtelsville, PA
Steve DeFrain is the Lead Pastor at Morning
extravagant
Generosity
Star Fellowship in Bechtelsville, PA where he and his wife, Liz, have served for 31 years. He has two sons, Steve and Ryan, who are both in ministry. Steve has planted five churches and has launched one satellite site to date. He is Presbyter of the East Central Section of the PennDel Ministry Network and is on the Board at VFCC.
Last Christmas Liz and I went to see the movie, “The Impossible.” The movie was about a family of five on vacation in Thailand who survived the infamous 2004 tsunami. The movie brought back many memories for me. I remembered where I was on that fateful December Sunday. I was visiting my son Steve’s family, who was living in Oklahoma at that time. I remember seeing on TV the devastation and loss of life. I remember thinking that Morning Star needed to do something - at the very least take an offering the following Sunday. We did take that offering and I was blown away by the congregation’s generosity as they gave thousands of dollars to help the relief efforts. I remember being amazed at how ready they were to give, even without an email blast or any prior prompting or forewarning. They were just ready. That’s extravagant giving!
The Morning Star Fellowship 2020 Vision
4 14 100 Satellite
Churches Launched
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Wells Dug
Small
Groups Birthed
“What you make happen for others – God makes happen for you!” I’ve seen it happen again and again in our thirty-one years of leading this awesome congregation. That generosity has also taken the form of releasing people to plant new churches, loaning staff to other churches, sharing resources, and giving away our own material goods that we no longer use. It makes me realize that this kind of generosity is truly contagious as I see the percentage of our people giving more generously growing.
Here are five ways to cultivate extravagant giving:
1. 2. 3.
One of our slogans at Morning Star is, “What you make happen for others – God makes happen for you!” I believe God gives us opportunities to practice this kind of extravagant giving every day. God is looking for the kind of people the Apostle Paul described in 2 Corinthians 9:9 who, “…throw caution to the wind, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” (The Message)
500
2020 By The
Children Sponsored
YEAR
4. 5.
Embrace the standard: Paul not only talked about extravagant givers, but he talked about an extravagantly generous God. He said, “This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer…is more than extravagant with you.” (2 Corinthians 9:10, The Message) I’m striving to be like my Daddy. The goal of my life is to be and live like Him. Lead the way: In the book “Contagious Generosity,” Chris Willard and Jim Sheppard state that, “Generous churches are led by generous pastors. Period.” Make a plan: Isaiah said that; “A generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.” (Isaiah 32:8, New King James) At Morning Star our giving has actually increased during this recession. Why? We resolved beforehand that that was who we were going to be – a people who stand firm in our generosity. Refuse to play it safe: Willard and Sheppard said, “It’s no accident that leaders who chose generosity rather than playing it safe reproduced that same response within their people.” Knowing the nature of her Savior, Mrs. Beaver, in the Chronicles of Narnia said, “Of course He’s not safe, but He is good.” Enjoy the results: Paul said, “His rightliving, right-giving ways never run out - never wear out.” A generous man or a generous church cannot be stopped!
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Youth Ministries Doug Sayers 717.795.5921 dyd@penndel.org
A Story of Life and Death By Rev. Bernie Elliot “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any doubled-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
Rev. Bernie & Jean Elliot
National Bible Quiz Coordinator, Pastor Bernard Elliot, and his lovely wife, Jean,
I knew he was going to shoot me. But then...
Bernie Elliot when he was a New York Police Officer, and the gun that was recovered from the young boy.
have served the Assemblies of God community for the past 21 years all over the nation. After being a youth pastor for 18 years, they answered the call to build upon and expand the AG’s first official Bible memorization ministry, Bible Quiz. This ministry specifically targets students and teaches them how to study and memorize the Word of God. As the National Bible Quiz and the PennDel District Coordinator, Pastor Bernie and his wife are frequently away from their Pittsburgh home, as they have many responsibilities keeping them on the road. When they are at home they enjoy gardening, reading and spending time with their 7 grandchildren, two of the oldest are currently in the JBQ & BQ ministry.
Bible Quiz
2013-2014 Season
Early Bird Registration deadline is postmarked by August 26, 2013 and is $50.00; for more information visit penndelyouth.com.
As a New York Police Officer, I didn’t have much of an interest in the whole church thing. My faith was in my skill and my police partner, and the camaraderie that our high-pressure jobs brought out in us. I didn’t need church at the end of the day; I needed to unwind at the bar telling stories and letting the stress ease away. As my wife prayed, God began to chase me down in ways I never could have anticipated. I was shocked one day when my partner, John, handed me a Gospel tract and asked me to read it. I couldn’t help but laugh; I thought for sure he must be kidding, but he wasn’t. John said Jesus had changed his life. Shortly after, I was working alone when a 19-year-old boy put a sawed-off gun to my chest. As I stood there with my hands raised all I could think about was the tract and that question “If you die tonight, where will you spend eternity?” As the boy looked at me, I knew he was going to shoot me. But then, for some completely unknown reason, he dropped the gun and ran, only to be caught within the block. I stood frozen in the street unable to move, stunned by how I had so narrowly escaped death. Surely, this couldn’t have been a coincidence.
The next time John invited me to his Bible study I didn’t have to think twice. I may not be the brightest cop, but even I knew something else was bound to happen if I didn’t go! God was chasing me and He had won. Miracles continued throughout the years - I once told my fellow police officers I was pastoring the biggest church in America: the streets of Syracuse, New York. I knew every call, every victim, every suspect needed to know the name and power of Jesus Christ and His Word. I left the police force after holding a .357 on a teenage girl that desperately needed the Lord. In her broken eyes I saw the souls of countless youth crying out for a Savior. In that moment I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me that I would never arrest them again, but I would share the name of Jesus with them. For the past 30 years I have strived to be faithful in presenting the wonderful name of Jesus and challenging our youth to get into the Word of God. There is no weapon stronger, no resource greater; no guide brighter than the Word. The Word changes lives! And that is exactly why Jean and I press on to encourage every student to get involved in Bible Quiz.
For the full story, scan here or visit penndelyouth.com/connex 18 | Network connexions | Fall 2013
Youth Alive Missionary
Lee Rogers 717.795.9780 • lee@reachtheschool.com reachtheschool.com twitter.com/reachtheschool • facebook.com/reachtheschool
Campus Missionary of the Year As September approaches, we want to take a look back on the last school year and recognize the most exemplary Campus Missionaries. These are students who consistently represented Christ in their school and maintained their accountability by reporting their activities on a regular basis.
Debra Mlambo, Evangel Assembly of God – Ephrata. Debra is a Campus Missionary at Ephrata High School. She looks for opportunities to share her faith with those around her. She is part of a Bible Study at her school, and shares scripture with her friends. She frequently reports on her encounters for the Gospel. Good job, Debra!
Honorable Mentions
Sierra Hunter Pinchot Park Assembly of God - Wellsville
Melanie Bard Evangel Assembly of God – Ephrata Annalisa Carse New Hope Assembly of God – Elizabeth Kaitlin Cunning First Assembly of God – Beaver Falls Becky Eberly Evangel Assembly of God – Ephrata
Emma Long Pinchot Park Assembly of God – Wellsville Russell Oehlert Spring Valley Community Church – Royersford Jacob Riley Pinchot Park Assembly of God – Wellsville Ayla Soto River of God Church – Enola
Unleashed : Campus Ministry Training Conferences Reading Glad Tidings Assembly of God September 15, 5-9pm
Butler Crossfire United Methodist August 23, 5-9pm
Greensburg Greensburg Alliance Church August 24, 9am-12noon
Carlisle First Church of God September 14, 9am-1pm
Lansdale Bridge Community Church September 21, 9am-1pm
Elizabeth New Hope Assembly of God September 28, 2-6pm
Monroeville Monroeville Assembly of God August 24, 1-4pm
Uniontown Calvary Baptist Church Sept. 7, 9am-12noon
New Castle First Assembly of God August 25, 5-9pm
Washington Central Assembly of God Sept 7, 1-4pm
Erie Location TBD September 8, 9am-12noon
Scranton Peckville Assembly of God September 14, 5-9pm
Join DYD Doug Sayers and Special Guests at the annual Speed The Light Tour for Goal Settings, STL Updates and the 2014 Projects.
Tour
Save The Date!
Coming to a city near you November 1st-22nd! See
penndelyouth.com/STLTour for more details.
Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 19
“…some seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:8
Girls Ministries
Sharon Poole penndeldmc@yahoo.com www.penndel.org/girls
extravagant
100 CHALLENGE PRAY GIVE GO YOU choose how you will PARTNER to make a DIFFERENCE! SERVING TOGETHER through… Disaster Relief Community Outreach • Back-to-School Programs • Feeding Programs • After-School Tutorial Helps Family Planning • Deferred Planned Giving Car Donations Visit our website for other ways to give and serve: www.PennDelCharities.org
Better together – Greater Impact – Compassion Multiplied
LOVE
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 The word “extravagance” has the connotation of opulence, overabundance, lavishness. It is often associated with the rich and well-to-do. The common individual is seldom considered to have the ability to be extravagant.
My response can never match His giving. My life can never equal His example. Unfortunately, too often my answer to such extravagance is to shut down and not follow His leading. Because I cannot match His life, I chose not to give at all.
And yet, the one who was born in the most humble of circumstances, whose early life was unremarkable, who owned nothing but the fabric that draped around His body, gave of Himself in a way that was the ultimate in extravagance. Jesus’ love for the sinner was expressed in a selfless and unwarranted manner. He loved when no one loved Him in return. He gave when others had the resources to give back. He sacrificed knowing that what He was offering could never be repaid. His life, His example, His sacrifice was the definitive gift of extravagance.
My response should be one of giving, of sharing, of living for Christ no matter what circumstance surrounds me. More people are won to Christ by the example of an unwavering believer in the midst of a storm than by the sweettalking television evangelist spewing a gospel of prosperity and affluence. These thoughts bring to mind the words of an old hymn from my childhood.
“I’ll live for Him who died for me. How happy then my life will be.”
CHANGE
Women of Purpose
Ruth Puleo 570.424.3275 ruth@penndelwomenofpurpose.org www.penndelwomenofpurpose.org
Finding God’s Extravagant Provision in the midst of CHANGE What changes are you facing today? Wedding plans • New Job • Relocating • Relationships • Health Change is inevitable. But, how we respond to it will ‘change’ us. Some changes we initiate and others happen without our permission or intention. While many changes become enjoyable new seasons, sometimes they’re painful. But no matter what season of change you’re experiencing you can find comfort in Malachi 3:6, ‘I am God…I haven’t changed’ (TM). In the midst of change, we can count on God’s EXTRAVAGANT PROVISION to be there for us because He is the one thing that remains the same. He has provided what we need to embrace any change and welcome the future knowing He is with us.
REMEMBER
REFRESH
REST
Anticipate some level of stress even
God uses worship and songs to minister and bring hope in the midst of stressful moments:
Ask God for a promise you can hold on to during your transition and share it with others:
with positive changes – take a break when needed. Prepare to make adjustments along the way – others matter and flexibility goes a long way.
Love Came Down – Brian Johnson
Engage God in the process through daily dialogue - prayer & the Word will be your strength.
You Know Me – Bethel Loft Sessions
Expect something good to happen each day – seek and you will find it, then record it and share it.
Never Once – Matt Redman
The God Who Answers By Fire – June Volk
God Will Make A Way – Janet Paschal
Wrap Me In Your Arms – Lisa Gungor It’s Going To Be Alright – Sarah Groves
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future” Jer. 29:11 NIV “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you” Isaiah 26:3 NIV “He doesn’t even pause to catch His breath…” Isaiah 40:27-31 TM “God has a plan that is greater than I can think or imagine or guess in my wildest dreams” Eph. 3:20 TM “Do not fear for I am with you…I will strengthen you and help you…” Isaiah 41:10 NIV “Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10 NIV
READ
RESOURCES
Make time to read books that will build your faith and give you courage to keep going forward:
Health www.webmd.com health@messages.webmd.com Moving www.mychangeaddress.com www.movingtips.org www.buzzfeed.com Jobs www.linkedin.net Koinonia Coaching & Consulting LLC - Kay Bower Relationships www.healinghearts.com www.abundantlifecenter.com Wedding Plans www.weddingwire.com www.theknot.com www.realsimple.com/ weddings/planner
Circle Maker by Mark Batterson One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp Living Beyond Yourself by Beth Moore Unglued by Lysa Terkeurst Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole Jesus, Life Coach by Laurie Beth Jones Attachments by Tim Clinton & Gary Sibcy Broken Children, Grown Up Pain by Paul Hegstrom Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Mark Your Calendar November 15-16 CHOICES Women of Purpose Conference
2014 February SuperBowl Missions Trip February 17-24 India Missions Trip March and April Spring Events May 30-June 1 Restoration Retreat June 21 D are to Dream Single Mom’s Day Out
Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 21
Royal Rangers Greg Scott 302.697.2313 gscott@pdrangers.org www.pdrangers.org
Coming Events in 2013 West Division Fall Camporee Yellow Creek Lake Indiana, PA September 13-15 East Division Fall Camporee Camp Bashore, PA September 27-29 FCF Territorial Rendezvous Needmore, PA October 11-13
extravagant
Ministry of God’s Grace through Mentoring
If I can change but one more life. That’s been my personal ministry theme for almost 20 years now. That all started one night, with a simple handwritten note stating, “Commander John, I want to thank you for saving my life.” That note sat me down and put the value of my ministry in a different light. As I shared that note with the other two leaders in the room, the reaction was identical. It was the night we realized we were not just fighting for the spiritual lives of our young men, but their physical lives as well. That our love of God being shown to young men would be the difference between choosing life or choosing to end it. That’s heavy. Mentoring seldom shows its fruit and rewards up front. Our job is to plant the seed. We and others will water and care for it, while God gives the increase. But when God lets you see those fruits, the toil, sweat, tears, and prayers all come into perspective. But if we never take the journey, never step out of our comfort zone and follow the great commission, then we will never see that extravagance in the blessing in our lives, or those around us. I’ve been so blessed over the years to see what God has accomplished in the lives of the young men he’s brought to me. John Maxwell has stated, “You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.” This is a powerful principle. In the last 8 years alone, I’ve watched a group of 6 young men grow from little boys into young men. There were other boys who came and went during that time frame, but these 6 were the core who made the complete journey with me. Of those 6, 4 have completed our Penn-Del Junior Leadership Training Academy and earned their leadership sabers. One of those became the first in 3 generations to graduate from High School. Two of those young men earned their Royal Rangers Gold Medal of Achievement, another earned his Silver Medal of Achievement and Missions Medal. One took a different path and decided to work on his Eagle Scout through BSA. I was honored when he asked if I would come to his ceremony and ask the blessing over the meal. He then proceeded to stun me as he called me forward during the ceremony to present me the Eagle Scout’s mentor’s pin. It’s an honor that an Eagle Scout gives to the person who has made the biggest impact in his life and scouting career. You never know where you’ll make a difference. Are you READY to make a difference in the young men in your congregation? Impact the next generation of Christ-Like Men and Lifelong Servant Leaders? Follow the leader: Royal Rangers. By John Bender District Communications Coordinator
22 | Network connexions | Fall 2013
Whether you enjoy cooking or eating, this weekend will have something for everyone. Our speaker is Gail MacDonald. She delighted us at Ministers’ Enrichment with her wisdom and wit. She truly is a gal “Hungry for Life.” Friday pm Hungry for Fun Saturday am Saturday pm Sunday am
Hungry for Love Hungry for Food Hungry for God
Join us as we share cooking tips, entertaining ideas, tasty samples, and creative ways to add flavor to living an abundant life! Executive Presbytery Superintendent . . . . . . . Stephen R. Tourville Assistant Superintendent . . Bryan Koch Secretary/Treasurer . . . . . Donald J. Immel
Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network 4651 Westport Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Find us online: www.penndel.org
Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen R. Tourville Managing Editor: . . . . . Carole Bongiorno Volume 60 Number 1 - (USPS 165-700) is the official periodical published quarterly by the Pennsylvaina-Delaware District Council of the Assemblies of God. Periodical postage paid at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Circulation Stands at Approximately 7,500 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council 4651 Westport Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4887
Timothy Bunney Southwest Suburban - SWS Christopher Clark North Central West - NCW Steven DeFrain East Central - EC Stephen Getchell Southwest Metro - SWM Jeffrey Kettering South Central - SC Robert Novak Greater Phila Area - GPA James Pentz North Central - NC Randall Rhoads South Central East - SCE Timothy Satryan Delaware - DEL Walter Smith South Central West - SCW Allan Thorpe Northwest - NW David Twiss Northeast - NE General Presbyters Stephen R. Tourville Donald J. Immel Bryan Koch
Honorary General Presbyter Philip Bongiorno PennDel Superintendent Emeritus
Network connexions | Fall 2013 | 23
Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network 4651 Westport Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Find us online: www.penndel.org
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