2005Q4

Fourth Quarter 2005 Volume 51 No. 4USPS 165-700

CONNEXIONS FOURTH QUARTER 2005

Pennsylvania-Delaware District ConneXions

4651 Westport Drive

Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Editor: Stephen R. Tourville

Managing Editor: David Crosby Sr.

Associate Editor:

Carole Bongiorno

Phone (717) 795-5921

Fax (717) 795-5928

E-Mail: [email protected]

WebSite: www.penndel.org

EXECUTIVE PRESBYTERY

Stephen R. Tourville, Superintendent

Paul Grabill, Assistant Superintendent

David Crosby Sr., Secretary-Treasurer

HONORARY GENERAL PRESBYTERS

Philip Bongiorno

James E. Morris

PRESBYTERS

James Rugg, NE Section

Jonathan Baker, NC Section

Kenneth Martin, NW Section

David Selleck, NCW Section

Jeffrey Kettering, SC Section

James Balzano, SCW Section

Randall Rhoads, SCE Section

Larry Weed, SE Section

Bryan Koch, EC Section

Mike Hampton, SWS Section

William Ellis, SWM Section

Timothy Satryan, DEL Section

Contributions of articles are accepted. Please

include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for

return. We reserve the right to reject articles not

consistent with the magazine’s objectives.

ConneXions

ConneXions (USPS 165-700) is the official periodical

published quarterly by the Pennsylvania-Delaware District

Council of the Assemblies of God. Periodical postage

paid at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Circulation stands at approximately 7,500

FOURTH QUARTER 2005

2

ECOMING AN EFFECTIVE MISSIONARY to any culture has

always been a challenge. I have spent five years of field research

and several years of personal experience in emerging culture

ministry trying to sort out how to meet this challenge in the US.

Along the way I have also discovered some things not to do:

1. CLONING FAILS: pastors face constant pressure to drag

and drop effective, high-profile models (developed somewhere

else) onto their context. I have seen this attempted in every sector

of the church from traditional, to seeker, to emergent with

extremely poor results. One-size-fits-all solutions are losing their

effectiveness rapidly.

2. COOL FAILS: some leaders have reached the conclusion

that the heart of mission is adopting a ministry style that is an

echo or young adult culture. I am a fan of adapting to culture.

But, I’ve visited too many ministries featuring what a young

friend calls the “loud and dark” model of worship (which I

personally enjoy), only to find the congregation built from young

adults transferring from other churches that are not as cool. This

is not mission; it is a postmodern version of all the worst in the

modern church.

3. CONTAINMENT FAILS: many leaders I have met lament

the lack of openness their churches display toward an outside

culture they neither understand nor accept. One pastor related his

board’s comment: “if we let these people in, what will happen to

our standards of holiness?” My response would be that we cannot

openly disregard the great commission and think of ourselves as

holy in any meaningful sense.

We are still finding our way in reaching emerging culture. It’s early yet.

But knowing what not to do can be half the battle.

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

Earl Creps

Doctor of Ministry Program at AGTS(Assemblies of God Theological Seminary)

HOW NotEMERGING

CULTURE

TO REACH

B

3CONNEXIONS FOURTH QUARTER 2005

Pastor Stephen R. Tourville

[email protected]

SUPERINTENDENT

e are all aware that our

culture and our world

are constantly in flux.

Technological changes

influence the way we do

business, how we communicate, as well as

health care and health maintenance.

Globalization has changed our view of the

world. Outsourcing jobs to other nations has

helped keep inflation low but has also been

the cause of job losses here in the USA.

It would be nice if the church could be a

safe place for everyone and not influenced

by what occurs around us. In reality, while

we are not of the world, we find ourselves in

the world and greatly affected by the cultur-

al shifts that occur around us.

M. Rex Miller suggests the dominant

means of communication is a primary and

foundational influence on culture. He

describes four eras of communication in his

book, “The Millennial Matrix” beginning

with the Oral Era, next, the Print Era, then

the Broadcast Era and, finally, the Digital

Era. He believes we are currently moving

from the Broadcast Era toward the Digital

Era. What this suggests for the church is

that while the message of the gospel will

never change, the method of communicating

the good news of Jesus must continue to be

adapted to those who need to hear the truth

of our Lord and His salvation.

If we are committed to fulfilling the

Great Commission of our Lord, we will see

the church as a missional agency called to

reach a lost generation. Rather than expect-

ing the unsaved to come to us, we will go

to them as missionaries, endeavoring to

learn their language, culture and needs so

we can share with them the realty of Jesus’

love and grace.

There was a time in America when the

church enjoyed a privileged place of respect

and honor in our culture. In the new millen-

nium we are required to prove ourselves and

follow all the rules and regulations everyone

else must obey. As salt and light to our

world, we cannot simple bury our heads in

the sand and hope we will not be impacted

by the emerging culture. Our mandate is

to “Go ye therefore into all the world . . .”

We cannot be content with past successes

and former glory. May God grant that we

all become missionaries to the changing

face of America as well as the billions of

people around the world who need to hear

the good news of Jesus.

��

i n t h e

Emerging Culture

W

Ministry “Go ye therefore into all the world . . .” “We are

required

to prove

ourselves ...

BridgeBuilders continuesto serve as our conflict resolutionteams for the Penn-Del District.These teams are trained and readyto assist your local church inresolving situations that call foroutside support during challengingcircumstances. In addition, trainingcan be provided that will aid thelocal church in developing a culture of peace and growinghealthy relationships. BridgeBuilderswill also be sponsoring trainingseminars on March 25, 2006 inMonroeville, PA and on April 1, 2006in Reading, PA in which pastorsand laypeople can participate.

��

4 CONNEXIONS FOURTH QUARTER 2005

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

Paul E. Grabill

[email protected]

We tend to love revolutions, as long as theyare contained in history books.

Let’s face it. Revolutions are messy, butsometimes necessary.

Some leading evangelical thinkers are pre-dicting that we are on the threshold of a revolu-tion in American Christianity. In 2002, RobertWebber’s published an important book entitled,“The Younger Evangelicals.” Just this month,George Barna’s new book, “Revolution,” will gofar beyond what Webber and others have beensensing.

Hold onto your chorus book; what is comingwill almost surely not be your grandfather’schurch anymore.

Young, committed believers no longer wantto talk about the New Testament Church,exegete passages about the New TestamentChurch, even opine about the ecclesiasticaldevelopment of the New Testament Church.They want to either be the New TestamentChurch or nothing at all. You may want to listento the archived Friday night message at the 2005General Council at ag.org to get a sense for thispassion.

Well, I’m with them. The only difference isthat I can live with a little more incrementalismthan some younger people can.

Right now the term being used by many isthe “emergent” or “emerging” church. Both wordsare not very descriptive (they simply mean“new”), because no one really knows exactly whatis coming, but observant leaders feel the groundbeginning to move beneath them.

This is very, very relevant to us inPennsylvania and Delaware.

I was raised here, and have lived here all butfive years of my life, and I can tell you withalmost 100% certainty that there is nothing thatreigns more in this neck of the woods than “tra-dition.” We love phrases like “If it ain’t broke,don’t fix it,” and “Don’t change for change sake.”

Well, let’s face it. Our Christian experienceand our way of doing church doesn’t exactlymatch what we read in scripture, but most of ushave no idea of how to get there from here.

Let me give you an example. Recently, theleaders in our congregation came to the realiza-tion that trying to get college students to showup on Sunday morning (even for the 11 am serv-ice) was largely a losing battle. The only ones wewere reaching that way were already quite devoutin their walk with Christ. Our leadership agreedto have them go from a downtown Thursday 7p.m. “ministry” to a Saturday 9 p.m. (prime timein a college town) “satellite congregation.”

I told both the adult and student leaders, “Ibelieve in you. You are all mature. Go ahead.Reinvent church. Reach the campus for Jesus.You don’t necessarily need to do singing, offeringand a sermon. Do whatever advances theKingdom, both in you and in among lost stu-dents.”

The student leaders were incredibly affirmed,but had a hard time truly thinking outside thebox (it’s a lot easier said than done!) and comingup with anything that looks much different thansinging, offering and a sermon. As of this writing,I’m not sure what they’ll come up with, but Ireally do believe they will do better than we withgray hair (the photo is old:)) have done.

While I can’t say exactly where this wholemovement is going, I believe I can confidentlyassert the following:� This is not about music; it goes far beyond

that, so don’t get stuck there.� Some of what we who are older than 40 think

is substantial change today is merely taking aquantum leap from the 1950s to the 1980s.That’s not good enough in the midst of a revolution that measures change in days, notcenturies.

� Some of us older than 40 need to take thingsthat are merely traditional (not biblical) andslay them on the altar. Here I’m not talkingabout doctrine, but about practice.

� Just because something has been around forhundreds of years does not make it biblical.Let me just pick on one: Remember the sillythrone-like chairs that we used to have on ourplatforms for our pastors? Where did theycome from? Well, they didn’t go back toWesley or even Luther. William Willimonwrites that they go all the way back to thefourth century when Constantine declaredChristianity to be the official religion, andsince the churches had no buildings, they metin the Roman courtrooms, and the pastorsused the judges’ seats. Not exactly NewTestament stuff.

� Those who wish to defend unbiblical traditionneed to get some hefty arguments ready,because otherwise I’m afraid we will find our-selves just like those we often criticize, whoplace tradition over scripture.

Well, here we go! If this revolution is unfold-ing (and I believe it is), neither you nor I will beable to stop it. Indeed, we must be sure that wedon’t fight against God. After all, it’s HisChurch, not ours.

As for me (as you can tell), I may have somegray hair, but deep in my gut, I’m ready to roll.

In the midst of a revolution...

No one really

knows exactly

what is coming,

but observant

leaders feel

the ground

beginning

to move

beneath them ...

Ministers Transferring In:ANDERSON, Robert (Certified): Coming fromSouthern MO as children’s pastor at Carlisle. Tami(wife).

BEHNKE, Barrett F. (Certified): Coming fromNJ and is involved in church planting. Barbara(wife), Michael (son), Kimberlee (daughter).

BUCCI, Joseph J. (Ordained): Coming from NJas a professor at Geneva College, Beaver, PA. Debi(wife), Elysa and Rebekah (daughters), Joseph,Joshua and Jonathan (sons).

GAUTHER, Troy (Certified): Coming fromSNED to reside in Glen Rock, PA.

HINTON, Deane R. (Licensed): Coming fromNY as pastor at Hollentown Assembly of God. Sherrie(wife), Audra (daughter), Adam and Austin (sons).

JONES, Jerry J. (Ordained): Coming from Illinoisas Home Missionary/MAPS, Northeast Region.Linda (wife).

JONES, Linda K. (Licensed): Coming with Jerry,her husband, as Home Missionary/MAPS.

LYMAN, Brian (Certified): Coming fromPotomac to be Chi Alpha Campus Missionary atVillanova. Meg (wife).

MOSELEY, Lee H. (Licensed): Coming from S.Carolina as youth pastor at New Hope Assembly,Elizabeth, PA. Amy (wife) Ethan (son).

PENTZ, Croft M. (Ordained): Coming from NJ asSr-Retired to reside in Waynesboro, PA. Arlene (wife).

ROGERS, Matthew C. (Certified): Comingfrom Potomac as youth pastor at St. ThomasAssembly of God.

Ministers Transferring Out:BENDER, Jeffrey F. (Ordained); Going toPenFL to reside in Delray Beach.

BILLINGS, Ronald (Ordained): Going toSouthern MO as pastor of Faith Assembly of God,West Plains, MO.

DUVALL, Christopher T. (Ordained): Going toNJ as pastor of Metro Parks Assembly of God, Iselin.

KRISE, Joel (Licensed): Going to Montana toreside in Bozeman.

LANZA, John M. (Ordained): Going as a staffpastor of Living Waters Fellowship, Kissimmee, FL.

LENTZ, Gary (Ordained): Going to AZ to residein Casa Grande.

MASON, Michael (Certified): Going to AR toreside in Hot Springs.

RAINBOW, Daryl P. (Ordained): Going toSNED to pastor Liberty Church, Shrewsbury MA.

ROSEN, Charles M. (Licensed): Going to FirstAssembly of God, Lebanon, MO as youth pastor.

SORG, Aaron D. (Licensed): Going to NewBeginnings Assembly of God, Tiffin, OH as youthpastor.

TROWBRIDGE, Roger R. (Licensed): Goingto First Assembly of God, New Philadelphia, OH as youth pastor.

RECORDRECORDRECORDfor thefor the

5

David Crosby Sr.


[email protected]

SECRETARY AND TREASURER

NEW AND UPGRADECREDENTIALS

Licensed MinisterJeremiah BakerKevin ComptonElizabeth DefrainPaulette KiersarskyNicholas PollakDerek RyderDwayne Weaver

Certified MinisterAnthony HillKristen HillScott Kramer

Specialized Licensed MinisterAllison Parker

In Memoriam Beulah Mae Mort went to be with theLord on July 2nd at the age of 93 years, 5months. Beulah was credentialed with theExhorters Permit (now known as CertifiedMinister) on June 2, 1958. She was listed as an Evangelist residing in the Greencastlearea. Allen, her husband, preceded her indeath on July 4, 1975. Buelah was a residentat Falling Spring Nursing Home, Guilford,PA at the time of her passing.

Anthony A. Marinacci went to be with the Lord on July 10th at the age of 92 years,8 months. Nettie, his wife, is a nursing home resident in New Jersey. Anthony wasLicensed on July 14, 1942 and Ordained in1946. He pastored these PennDel churches:Germantown, Bristol, Calvary Waynesboroand Kensington.

Joseph D. Doviak went to be with the Lord on July 26th at the age of 90 years,2 months. Joseph served as youth pastor atFirst Assembly Harrisburg, planted theAssembly of God in Palmyra, and also pastored Emmanuel Assembly of God,Harveys Lake. In his retirement, Josephserved as pastor and marriage counselor to a large marketing group fro 12 years. He issurvived by Matina, his wife of 62 years.

Gordon F. Preiser, age 78, joined theChurch Triumphant on September 2nd.Gordon was a senior retired minister withPennDel. He was first credentialed in 1947and ordained in 1952. While ministering inPennDel, he pastored churches in DicksonCity, Ephrata and Lititz. From 1958 to1978 he pastored in New Jersey. Returningto PennDel as a children’s evangelist, he andEsther, his wife, were known as “The PrizePuppeteers.” He and Esther were married for58 years and parents of two sons, Don andDale. In 1999 they relocated to Florida intheir retirement. A memorial service was heldat the Assembly of God Church in Eustis, Fl.

MISSION CONSTRUCTION

TEAMSThere are 2 PennDel District sponsored Missions ConstructionTeams for 2006:

Project 1: Tegucigalpa, HondurasThis project will be assistingMissionary Bill Strickland in theconstruction of Teen Challengebuildings from January 7 toFebruary 4.

Project 2: Rurrenabaque, BoliviaA team of 11 men will fly into aremote village on River Beni, a tributary of the Amazon, to com-plete the construction of a Bibletraining center for pastors. Teamwill work with Steve Potutschnigfrom August 12–22.

Contact Dave Crosby [email protected] or call 717-795-5921.

Tom Rees ASSISTANT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT

Honor BoundChurch Planting and

[email protected]


BOOT CAMP IS LIFECHANGING! As you plugaway trying to build your churchor plan to plant a church, here isa great opportunity to strategizeand refocus . . .

PENN-DELLEADERSHIPBOOT CAMP

This training is intense! Boot Camp is an effective,adult-based form of learning.Sessions include group activities, reflection, planning,skill-building and vision-developing exercises.

BootCamp includes strategiccomponents for trainingPresbyters, SectionalCommittee Leaders, Apostolicand Mother Church Pastors,New Church Planters, HomeMissions Pastors andSovereign Church Pastors,Staff and Board Members.

Ministers can now apply theContinuing Education Grantto Penn-Del BootCamp.

For more informationcontact [email protected] call 717.580.8188.

November 7–10, 2005Phillip Bongiorno Conference

Center, Carlisle, PA

When Grace Assembly of God in Spring Cityannounced their desire to mother a church in the areaI was excited and tried to help find the right person tobe the pastor. Several candidates were interviewed butthe right person did not emerge. All the while, I felt atug on my heart to do it but I was wrestling with thelogistics. I was very happy being a Bible professor atVFCC. But the burden and the thought would notleave. So I prayed that if the Lord wanted me to do it,he would have my pastor ask me. In June of 2004,Pastor Jack Mason, at the encouragement of theSectional Committee, asked me to consider providingleadership to a new church in the area. After goingthrough the Church Planter’s Assessment and thePenn-Del Church Planter’s Bootcamp, my burden wasconfirmed and this vision began to take shape.

We will be a church that reaches out to young(20–40 somethings), educated, unchurched professionalsand their families. In order to reach these people, thechurch will be professionally casual and open. We willwelcome every person who comes with a friendly conversation and a cup of Starbucks coffee or freshorange juice. Everyone, including children, will worshiptogether. Our music will be contemporary and energetic.After praise and worship we will dismiss our childrento attend a fun, creative and safe program designedspecifically for their age level. The adults will experiencea relevant, practical, biblical teaching designed to reachpeople who are seeking God in their lives. We will usea variety of methods to support the biblical truths:

video, drama, fill-in notes coordinated with thePowerPoint. People who desire to follow Christ will be invited to pray with the presenter and to indicatetheir desire on a registration card. People will be available after the service for discussion and prayer.The people who commit their life to Christ will beinvited to attend a new believer’s class and a subsequentseries of classes to help them become a committed follower of Jesus.

Each person in the congregation will be encouragedto be part of a small group of committed believers. Intime, we will have growth, task, recovery, support, andseeker small groups. We will develop growth groupsfirst. These groups will focus on four things: Welcome,Worship, Word, and Works. The groups will exist toedify each believer and to reach out to the lost.

We will be a congregation that reaches out to thecommunity through special events such as an Easter EggHunt, the Alpha Course, Athletic Camps, Kid’s Camp,and a Christmas Program. We will also offer seminarson relationships, time and financial management.

We will be a congregation that is friendly and supportive to students. We will provide a context inwhich students, many from VFCC, can find community,get involved in service and train for relevant ministry.We will also be a laboratory church for church planterswho attend VFCC. It is my plan and desire to plantour first church, five years from now. After that, Ihope we can plant at least one church each year untilJesus comes.

SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCHSpringford, Pennsylvania • Pastor Dan and Amy McNaughton

Many years ago God had begun to work in my heartthat he was calling my wife and I to leave the life hehad provided us with and begin to serve him in a full-time capacity. We were not sure what that was, butbegan to feel some pressing needs to reach the lost inthe community we had been raising our family in forthe last twelve years. We had been blessed to havegained significant experience in both the church wehad attended for over twenty years and the businessworld I had worked in. The burden we were sensingwas confirmed in our pastor’s heart with a vision fromGod to plant ten churches in the Delmarva Section inten years. Pastor Tim Satryan and First Assembly ofGod in Wilmington, Delaware are launching us withblessing and tremendous support.

The community we are planting in has a verystrong Catholic and multicultural population. There arelarge groups of people searching for a real relationshipwith Christ and other Christians. For that reason wechose the name “Trinity” that translated well to thatgroup of people. Belief in the Trinity is one area thatour Catholic friends and we agree on. It is also a wordthat resonates well with the Asian and Hispanic communities.

Our area is also made up of successful individualswho are stretched in many directions. Most familieshave dual incomes, at least two children and are lever-aged heavily financially. Their weekends are spentrunning themselves and their children from event toevent and place to place. The amount of time they

actually have to just be with each other is minimal.They have all the material things this world can provide,but are missing the love of Jesus. Our church will bestructured in a way as to demonstrate true HolisticMinistry. We will evaluate every ministry opportunityby the question, “Does it promote an abundant ‘Godglorifying’ life?”

Our community struggles from the “Cul-de-sac”syndrome, where people have a relationship with individuals in their small circle, but no real sense ofrelationship with their community. The relationshipsbetween husbands and wives and parents and childrenare also challenged and tense due to their drivenlifestyles. Time is an extremely precious commodity to these individuals and everything we do will have to take that into account. Each service, home groupmeeting or activity we have will draw people and families closer.

Innovative servant evangelism will be a trademarkof our church. The people in our community do notneed things, but they have hurting marriages, distantteenagers, aging parents, and other needs that are wellbelow the surface. We feel very comfortable ministeringto this community because in many respects we are justlike them and have fallen into many of the traps andchallenging circumstances in our own lives. It is only by the grace of God that we have overcome many ofthese obstacles. As we start this church this fall, we arelooking forward to sharing His message of hope withour community.

trinity COMMUNITY CHURCHHockessin, Delaware • Pastor Steve and Barbara Trader


“Sustainability” easily ranks as the # 1 challenge to men’s min-istry. Many churches—even entire denominations—have quittrying. For many that still have a men’s ministry “on the books,”it has become an albatross around the pastor’s neck. Guesswhat? It doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a number ofstrategies to help you sustain momentum after the HonorBoundConference.

ALL-INCLUSIVE: Change your church’s perception Think big! Your men’s ministry is probably much bigger thanyour church leadership has been thinking. Don’t think of yourmen’s ministry as a small group of your most committed men.Six men meeting on Wednesday morning at 6:30 a.m. does nota men’s ministry make. Men’s ministry is “everything we do inour church that affects men.” Have a plan to disciple every will-ing man in the church—ushers, parkers, choir, Sunday schoolteachers, elders, deacons and pew warmers—right where they are.

RELEVANT: Offer intentional contentImagine you will have a man and his family for 5 years. Whatare the lessons so important that if he should leave without getting them, you will have failed him? This, then, becomes thecontent of your discipleship program. Sustain momentum byscratching where men really itch. If you offer the right content,men will come.

MODEL: Challenge leadership to model what you’re trying to createDon’t just be a committee: pray, study, fellowship, and care foreach other. In other words, model what you want to build. Ifthe leadership team models authentic relationships, in due timemen will see that and want to be part of it. Also, it is doubtful if you can ever sustain momentum among men if the leaderscan’t sustain momentum among themselves.

FOCUS: Coordinate disciple-making methods on a themeSustain momentum by picking a theme (whether for a week,a month, or the year), then focus your entire church on thattheme. The “constituted means” to make disciples are preaching,teaching, Bible studies, small groups, private devotions, mentoring,seminars, retreats, informal discussions, and leadership training.The 40 Days of Purpose program has shown just how effectiveit can be to point all the arrows in the same direction.

A SYSTEM: Reach new men by repeating the cycleBuild a system that periodically “starts over” to reach other menwho may be ready now, but not then. Man in the Mirror’s“Create, Capture, and Sustain” model can show you how to builda sustainable men’s ministry system (www.maninthemirror.org).

SERVICE: Send your men out to serve Sustain what you have by sending your men out. Once a manhas grown to a point that he has a grateful heart, he will wantto serve his Lord. He is no disciple who never wants to serveChrist. On the other hand, until a man has enough Jesus forhimself, don’t ask him to give away what he himself lacks.

SYNERGY: Foster interdisciplinary cooperationSustain you men’s ministry by meeting periodically with all theother ministry department heads. Suggest an “InterdisciplinaryDiscipleship Council” that meets quarterly. The more you knowabout each other’s plans, the better total church planning youcan do. Also, the visibility for men’s ministry will create respectfor the need to disciple men and the impact men have on therest of the family members and church.

EXPECTATIONS: Manage your expectations Are you frustrated that you want men to succeed more thanthey do themselves? That’s a formula for leadership dropout.Don’t expect more than the Bible promises. Expect men to dropaway every time you ask for deeper levels of commitment.On the other hand, don’t expect less than the Bible promises.Many times the problem is not that our plans are too big,but too small. Raise expectations.

INTERGENERATIONAL: Create an emphasis on youthAlmost 9 out of 10 teenagers will drop out of church by theend of their senior year in high school, and only 5 will return—40% permanently drop out. Sustain momentum among yourmen by creating rites of passage that connect men and boysthrough sports, recreational activity, and small groups.

A SHEPHERD MODEL: Recruit “shepherds” to lead small groupsPossibly the most important thing is to make sure your menreally feel like somebody cares about them. You can experience aquantum leap in effectiveness when you change your leadershipmodel from “teaching” to “shepherding.” What men really needis someone who cares about them personally.

Adapted from Patrick Morley and David Delk

www.maninthemirror.org

“The Number One Problem

Why can’t we ever sustain momentum in our men’s ministry? Whenever we

seem to create some good momentum, it inevitably peters out.”

in Men’s Ministry”“The Number One Problem

in Men’s Ministry”

We had a great 4 weeks of Kid’s camp.Here’s a look at what took place.


CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

George Krebs

[email protected]

Looking for more workers?This book is an easy read and a wealth of information. Jim

Wideman uses a simple concept; while visiting Disney World,he observed a culture where people want to stay and would enjoybeing a part of the staff. Does that happen in your church?

Jim Wideman directs a team of more than 900 children’s ministry volunteers every week. He knows something about helping volunteers become long-term leaders. How does he do it?He shares how he has developed a volunteer-friendly culture.Jim gives four principles that you need to believe about your volunteers that will develop the leaders you are looking for.You will find insights on interviewing and placements, and helpwith orientation, training, and evaluation of those who serve.

VOLUNTEER SCREENINGIs your church a safe place for children?

Read the newspaper or watch the evening news and you know that this world isbecoming more dangerous for our children. Several stories every week focus on thosewho prey on children. We cannot ignore the fact that child predators are looking for easyaccess to children, and many churches offer it by not screening workers.

Many insurance companies are restricting coverage for churches who do not screen volunteers. By requiring screening, developing policies, and offering training andaccountability, you can reduce negligence and protect children. The Christian EducationOffice has several “Reducing the Risk II” kits (Books and DVDs) that can be loaned orpurchased. We also have several church policy handbooks and other files that can be e-mailed and personalized to fit your church. We are here to help you.

[email protected] or 717-795-5921

B O O K R E V I E W :

VOLUNTEERS THAT STICK by Jim Wideman • Group Publishing $17.99

November 4-6

at the Philip Bongiorno

Conference Center

CONNEXIONS FOURTH QUARTER 2005 9

Location: New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM) located in Queens.

Travel: You are responsible to get there. Call us and we will help arrange van-pools. We will use church vans andthe NYC subway once there.

Housing: Dormitory style rooms at NYSUM

Investment: Early Registration: $175 by Nov. 5th

Ministry: There will be a variety of opportunities to ministerin parks, plazas, homeless shelters, and churches.

New York CityOutreachYoung Adult & Singles Mission’s TripNovember 18–20, 2005

If you have a desire to connect with others while being used in acutting edge ministry close to home, then partner with us to themost international city in the world. Allow God to use you toreach New York City.

We will travel safely in groups accompanied by NYSUM staff andminister in public areas. This will be a life-changing weekend.

Together ForeverLooking for that special

gift for your spouse? Give yourselves the tools

for a greater marriage.

February 3–5At the Philip BongiornoConference Center

� Three tremendous sessions that will challenge you

� Enjoy a Saturday evening fireside dinner concert

� Optional afternoon workshops to strengthen marriages

� Make your marriage laugh again

Call 717-795-5921 for Registration Information

“THE MOST FUN

YOU CAN HAVE

IN 3 DAYS!”“THE MOST FUN

YOU CAN HAVE

IN 3 DAYS!”

A RETREAT THAT FOCUSES ON THE SPECIAL

NEEDS OF 5TH AND 6TH GRADERS.We have developed a retreat to help 5th and 6th graders navigate

the next season of their life. These are great kids, with great

needs, who need great experiences. This is a great

opportunity to invest in these students.


Pastor Tony Searles Installation—Glad Tidings, Clearfield

Landisburg New Life 75th Anniversary—Pastor Larry Bidwell

Hyndman Community Center Dedication—Pastor Greg Sinclair

Waynesburg First 75th Anniversary—Pastor Mike Hampton

Pastor Jimmy Rivera—Anniversary Celebration

�

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Pastor Mike Erdel Installation—Bedford Village Church

East Erie Dedication—Pastor Cliff Hamilton

Kittaning Cornerstone MortgageBurning—Pastor Richard Beatty

Resurrection Life Work Day—Pastor Otto Wegner

PennDel Missionaries atSchool of Missions

Pastor Walter HoffmanInstallation—Milton

Monroeville Compassion Conference

�

�

�

�

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YOUTH

Doug Sayers

www.penndelyouth.com

FEBRUARY 18 • SECTIONAL FINE ARTS FESTIVALS� Forms postmarked by January 20, 2006:

Entry fee $15/person +$3 for each additional category.

� All creative writing, art, video, and websites must be “sent” or ready to be viewed by January 20, 2006.

� Forms postmarked by February 3, 2006: Entry fee $20/person +$3 for each additional category.

� No entries will be accepted after the February 3, 2006 postmarked date.

APRIL 12–14 • DISTRICT FINE ARTS FESTIVAL

NATIONAL SPEED-THE-LIGHT DAYOCTOBER 16, 2005

SPEED-THE-LIGHT TOUR 2005DATE SECTION TIME PLACE

Monday, Oct. 31 South Central East 6:30PM Hoss’s, Hershey

Tuesday, Nov. 1 North Central 11:00 AM TBA

Thursday, Nov. 3 South Central West 11:00 AM TBA

Friday, Nov. 4 South Central 11:00 AM The Orchards, Chambersburg

Monday, Nov. 7 Southeast 11:00 AM TBA

Tuesday, Nov. 8 Delmarva 11:00 AM TBA

Thursday, Nov. 10 East Central 11:00 AM TBA

Friday, Nov. 11 North East 11:00 AM TBA

Monday, Nov. 14 Southwest Sub. 11:00 AM Wooden Nickel, Monroeville

Tuesday, Nov. 15 North Central West 11:00 AM Hoss’s, DuBois

Thursday, Nov. 17 Northwest 11:00 AM Chovy’s, Meadville

Friday, Nov. 18 Southwest Metro 11:00 AM Panera Bread, Pittsburgh

Senior pastors, youth pastors/leaders and spouses please join us for a meal and visionary goal setting. Make sure to contact your Sectional Youth Representative to RSVP for thesebanquets. We are looking forward to having you and your spouse with us.

UNVEILING OUR NEW YOUTH THEME FOR 2005–2006

2006You will soon be receiving information to register for the 2006 Sectional Fine ArtsFestival. Here are some important dates to remember.

s crowning moment. On Saturday August 6, 2005,

Colorado Convention Center for the National Fine Arts Festival Celebration Service. For the first time ever, this event was broadcast onstival Celebratio Servl Celebral Celebra

participated at the national festival. These PennDel students received the coveted Award of Merit and/or Honorable Mention:nts received the coveteceived theceived thde

CONNEXIONS FOURTH QUARTER 2005 13

CHRISTIN CAMPBELLChildren’s Sermon Honorable Mention

Christin Campbell is a 14 year old sophomore who attends Faith Assemblyof God in Uniontown, PA. She is the daughter of a Children’s Pastor and along time Sunday school teacher. For more than four years, she as beenassisting her mother in teaching the kindergarten class at Faith Assembly.In a short 14 years, Christin has acquired much experience in working withyoung children. Along with the Sunday School class, Christin also helps ona regular basis with the children’s church where she does object lessons as

well as Bible stories. Her dramaticcharacter even finds involvement inthe youth ministry where she is apart of the drama team. Along withChildren’s Short Sermon, Christinhas also participated in drama solo,human video solo, large grouphuman video and drama, and choir.She enjoys each of these outlets for ministry, but her favorite isChildren’s Short Sermon. Her desireis to use this ministry all throughouther life, and one day, Lord willingeven to become a Children’s Pastor.

AZIAH BOLLINGFemale Vocal Solo Award ofMerit

Aziah is a member of PoconoCommunity Church, Pocono SummitPA and a 2005 graduate fromWestern Wayne High School in LakeAriel, PA. Aziah began performing in children’s choirs when she waseight. She also won the Best Vocalistfor the Hershey Parks Festival lastyear and sang the national anthemat boys and girls basketball gamesat Western Wayne High School. She earned the nickname, TheSinging Music Box, at her school and among friends for her constantsinging and all-day enjoyment of music. Aziah plans to pursue a career inbroadcasting. “I don’t consider myself performing when I sing—I considermyself ministering to people,” Aziah said.

DAN SARNAGuitar Solo Award of Merit

Dan Sarna began playing the bass at the age of eight when the Lordanswered his prayer to provide him with the instrument. In 2002 he movedwith his family to Reading, PA where his father pastors an inner city church.The church was in need of a worship leader and Dan stepped up to the plateand has now been the lead worshipper there for 3 years. Dan got pluggedinto Glad Tidings A/G and their youth ministry where he became involvedwith the work going on there as well. Not long after a year of playing basson the Real Life worship team, Dan was asked to be the worship leader andhas been leading to this day. Dan graduated from high school this year andplans to attend Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australiawhere he will study Worship and Creative Arts.

YLENA ZAMORA-VARGASSpanish Poetry Award of Merit

Ylena has been active in theMonroeville Assembly of GodCrossfire Youth Ministry for the lasttwo years. She has been involvedwith Speed the Light, Fine Arts,sharing testimonies in Crossfireservices, and has been a willing ser-vant in other areas. You can alwayscount on Ylena. Her beautiful smileand willing spirit always reflect thelove of Christ to others. She is quickto meet and talk to new people,and loves to encourage. Havingonly just completed her 8th gradeyear, this is Ylena’s second year towin Nationals in the category ofSpanish Poetry.


YOUTH ALIVE

Paul Kirschbaum

[email protected]

The launch of the first everSportsfest was a great success!Around 150 athletes and spectators gathered together from all over the Penn-Del district

on May 12th to compete in the first ever Sportsfest. The areas of competition were 3 on 3

basketball, 4 on 4 football, foul shot competition, and the

slam dunk competitions. The event was sponsored by Youth

Alive and the purpose of the event was to reach athletes.

Because of today’s crazy sports schedules, many sports ori-

ented families never find themselves in church on Sunday

morning and the result is many of their teenagers never get

a clear cut presentation of the gospel. Well, they got it on

that day and not by just anyone. We brought in former NFL

lineman Shawn Harper. Shawn has blocked for and shared

the locker room with all time rushing leaders Marshall Faulk

and Jerome Bettis. His great life experience, and passionate walk with God allowed him to

lead 22 young people to Christ that day. It was Incredible!

The Seven Project would like to welcome Seth Franco to the team.

Seth Franco will be teaming up with Seven Project

this school year to reach even more students.

Seth Franco is the only Caucasian to be invited

to join the Harlem Globetrotters since 1942.

You can see his incredible ball handling skills

on sethfranco.com. He is an awesome man

of God and incredibly talented at reaching

this generation for Christ.

THE SEVENPROJECTMACHINE IS GETTINGREVVED UPFOR THE2005–2006SCHOOLSEASON!

ast year we were ableto speak to over 18,000students and saw insome communities up

to 50% of the student body come back toour night rallies to hear aclear cut presentation ofthe gospel. There were over1,300 decisions for Christlast year. We are believingGod for an even better yearthis year. Please be inprayer for us as we strive to reach our lofty goal ofgiving a presentation of the gospel to every studentin the Penn-Del Districtbefore graduation! Go tothesevenproject.org now for more information.

THE TALENT JUST KEEPS COMING!

e also have been able to meet with a young man named Zack Frazer.

Haven’t heard his name yet? You will. Zack broke the all time passing

record for Pennsylvania last year as a Junior at Mechanicsburg High School.

This puts him in the elite crowd of past Pennsylvania quarterback greats like Joe

Namath, Joe Montana, Johnnie Unitas, and Dan Marino. He has already been offered

a full ride scholarship to the University of Notre Dame and has been chosen for the

Ea Sports “elite 11” representing the top 11 High School quarterbacks across the

country. Zack will be sharing the many challenges he faced as a young teenager and

challenging his peers to make their dreams come true in our High School assemblies.

Zack had an incredible experience at our State Youth Convention two years ago and

has been growing in his walk with Christ ever since then. Zack will be joining our

team of pro skaters, break dancers, former NFL and basketball athletes to make an

incredible team of evangelism in the form of the Seven Project. Welcome to the

team Zack.

W

l

15

Harold Crosby


[email protected]

WORLD MISSIONS

KEVIN AND ANNIE FOLK are close to com-pleting their budget. The next step is obtainingresident visas before they can depart for Spain.You can help them with a pledge today.

SAM AND JAN MAYESKI hosted a team ofstudents from VFCC last spring to ministerthroughout the island of Trinidad in reachingmany children and youth for Christ.

MELISSA McSURDY is planning to depart forNamibia just as soon as she receives budgetclearance, perhaps before Fall. If you are planning to support her, please send your pledge today.

JEFF AND CAROL BOOK have reached out tothe people of Lhasa, Tibet through a visit theymade recently to that city. In addition, they continue their orphanage ministry.

RICK AND LORI WISLOCKY send greetingsfrom Hungary where they keep busy minister-ing to children. In addition, they publish a quarterly magazine for Hungarian pastors.

PAT AND BRENDA MAHAR are home for ayear’s furlough from their ministry in Botswana.They are already busy visiting their supportingchurches.

GARY AND KATY SHANAHAN are learningthe language in Armenia as they assist in theBible school, work in evangelism and ministerin the national churches.

ART AND JOYCE STONEKING tell us theirchildren at the orphanage in Tijuana, Mexicoare growing fast. Art and Joyce will be homesoon for a year’s furlough. MISSIONARIES FOR YOUR

SPRING CONVENTION

Sam Mayeski—Trinidad

Art Stoneking—Mexico

John Ramos—Guatemala

Doug Raught—Netherlands

To participate just phone yourSectional Missions Rep.

113 NEW MISSIONARIES COMMISSIONEDThe Holy Spirit continues to speak to youngmen and women in Assemblies of Godchurches about a lifetime of service in missions.Assemblies of God World Missions has neverhad a formal program for recruiting missionar-ies throughout the years. Our reliance has

always been on the Holy Spirit to answerprayer and call laborers into the harvest.

Concluding the annual School of Missionsin Springfield on July 21st was a movingservice commissioning 113 persons to followthe call of God to minister in 38 countries ofthe world. Praise be to God for this army ofnew workers. Please remember these people in prayer.

FEATURESOutstanding Speakers

Vignettes

Meals with Missionaries

Missions Experiences

(Breakouts)

Prayer for Nations

Exhibits

New Year’s Celebration

Special Music Groups

PRESENTING GOD’S WORLD VIEW Removing the “if” and “how” and replacing it with “when” and “where”

Over 4,000 students, missionaries, pastors andyoung adults will gather to connect with WorldMissions to mobilize a generation to enter theglobal harvest field.

The Missions Summit is geared to 20 and30 year old adults and is scheduled forDecember 30, 2005–Jaunary 1, 2006. Louisvilleand all the Assemblies of God in Kentucky willbe rolling out the red carpet! While Assembliesof God World Missions is the sponsor, U.S.Missions and Chi Alpha are co-sponsors of this important national event. Those invitedinclude students in colleges and universities,Chi Alpha groups, Master’s Commissions,high school seniors, young adults, pastors,and leaders.

Assemblies of God World Missions plans tobring 300 missionaries home from the field toattend the Summit and interact with those whoattend on a personal level. You will have oppor-tunity to sit down with a missionary and have ameal together. All members of the WorldMissions Executive Committee will participate.If you have an interest in missions, or feel Godis calling you to be a missionary, this is a greatopportunity for you to know God’s direction foryour future.

Your registration fee of $79 includes all ses-sions and four meals. New Year’s Eve will featurea great pizza party! Hotel and registrationinformation is available at www.theworldmis-sionssummit.ag.org.


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES

Ruth Puleo

[email protected]

“Diamonds are what women want”

It has been said that diamonds are what women want. Window shopping at a jewelry store is afavorite pastime for women of all ages. Perhaps it is the brilliance, the individuality, the value andthe longevity of diamonds that make them so appealing to us.

A diamond cutter will tell you that a diamond is a crystal, a prism that reflects light and dis-perses it. In other words, the prism’s facets are two way mirrors that reflect light and allow light topass through them. The cut is the most important factor affecting the beauty of a diamond. Thehighest quality diamond involves cutting hearts and arrows in a pattern. There must be a carefulbalance in the cutting of the angles, a consistency of the heart pattern, symmetry—meaning a bal-ance of beauty and form and finally, an excellent or ideal polish with good luster to create a highquality diamond.

The diamond cutter sees the potential in each rough stone that he owns. He carefully plans thetype of cut and shape that the stone will receive. The cuts must be precise and masterfully calculat-ed. The diamond cutter relies on his machinery for part of the process, but ultimately the cuttingof the primary angles of the stone is his responsibility. If the cut is completed to perfection, a bril-liant gem will emerge. Although the patterns may be the same, in the final analysis, there are notwo diamonds exactly alike. Each diamond is a unique creation of the master cutter. The diamondcutter plans the destination and purpose for each gem He has fashioned.

We are diamonds in the rough with tremendous potential hidden within. Our Master Creatorcan see the diamond that lies deep within each of us. He is willing to do the cutting as long as weare willing to yield in the process. The longer He works, the more we reflect his light and allow itto pass through us.

Women are crying out for purpose in their lives. The fact is, most women have felt a void atone time or another, even if just mildly. At some transition point in life, they have experienced alet-down feeling. Many started out their journey with great ideas of how they were going to makea difference in the world but now they find themselves struggling to make sense of feelings ofemptiness, frustration, or futility. Perhaps you have asked yourself these very same questions. “DearGod, where do I fit? How can I make a difference? Where is the place you have for me? Does any-one really need me? Why do I feel like such a failure as a Christian? Why don’t I enjoy my churchministry, my family responsibilities, or my job anymore? Why do I feel so unsatisfied? Is this whatGod wants my life to look like?” If you find yourself facing questions like these and long for some-thing better, be assured that there is hope. God will reveal your purpose, and your heart will singover what He has in store for you. He will make you a Woman of Purpose to shine brilliantly sothat others will see His reflection in you.

God speaks to us from Isaiah 44:2 saying “I am your Creator. You were in my care even beforeyou were born.” And He reminds us in Colossians 1:16 that “Everything got started in him andfinds its purpose in him.” We can find our purpose through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He hasa plan and purpose for our lives that He wants to reveal to us if we will allow Him to be the MasterCutter of our lives. His purpose for us fits into a much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designedfor eternity.

As Women of Purpose or women who are seeking to define our purpose, we have great oppor-tunities to do just that through the Women of Purpose ministry provided by the Pennsylvania-Delaware District of the Assemblies of God. This state-wide ministry for women plans and pro-motes several tools that God can use to continue the cutting and finishing process in our lives.

Announcing a specialguest, Cheryl Appline,in the SaturdayMorning Session

Cheryl worksfor PresidentBush in theDepartment of Housingand UrbanDevelopment as the ProgramManager for the Center ForFaith Based and CommunityInitiatives. She has a dynamictestimony of God’s grace inher life.

Women of PurposeWitness Wear andProducts are now available on line atwww.ESS-Geiger.com/WOP

Order as a group andsave on postage. Showthe world you are a“Woman of Purpose!”

Women of Purpose ConferenceNovember 10–12, 2005

Hershey Lodge and Convention [email protected] or call 724-654-2258

Sharon Poole

[email protected]

MISSIONNETTES

MissionettesMagnified(Training for Helpers,Sponsors &Coordinators)April 21–23, 2006

Friends and GirlsOnly RetreatJune 9–11, 2006

Stars PowetteJune 15–17, 2006

MISSIONETTESDATES

FOR

2006

OON JULY 1, 2005, Sharon Poole became the new Pennsylvania/Delaware District Missionettes Coordinator.Susan and John Lanza have moved to Kissimmee, Florida to follow God’s leading as they begin a ChurchPlant. We will continue to miss Susan and pray for her family during this exciting and changing time intheir lives.

Some info on Sharon:

� Sharon is married to Paul D. Poole, Senior Pastor at First Assembly of God, Beaver Falls.� They have served in Latrobe, Beaver, New Castle, PA, as well as Edgewood, MD. � She has two children, Nick (Minister of Youth at Calvary Assembly, Irwin) and Natasha, a Junior at

Central Bible College.

New email address for District Missionettes is: [email protected] phone number is: 724-843-1913Address is: 1309 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010

Meet Our New District Coordinator

Together We Can Mold the FutureAs I was pondering “Ministry to the EmergingCulture” I realized that Missionettes (the girls) arethe Emerging Culture! It is an exciting and soberingthought that we have the responsibility to train our young women to become the women of Godthat He wants them to be! More than anything, itmust be our focus to provide a relevant disciplingtraining.

As we often sing the song “The Potter’s Hand,”we think of how wonderful it is for The Potter, God our Father, to mold us into a vessel of honor.But we need to be just as excited about seeing ThePotter mold those young girls who are under eachof us to also become vessels of honor. That is morethan just ministering to the emerging culture. It isforming the emerging culture. If you are willing tobe relevant, willing to nurture and encourage, andwilling to set aside the appropriate time, pleasebecome a part of the greatest ministry to the emerging culture of young women, Missionettes.Together we can mold the future!

New National CoordinatorAs a District, we welcome the new National MissionettesCoordinator, Candy Tolbert. Candy was introduced to theDistrict Coordinators at General Council. We are excited tosee what God is going to do as we move forward underher direction. Some info on Candy:

Candy has served on five different church staffs including:

� Memphis, Tennessee with James Hamill for a3-year support staff internship

� Kansas City, Missouri with Clinton Van Zant aschildren’s pastor

� Long Beach, California with Ray Rachels aschildren’s pastor

� Denver, Colorado with Charles Blair as children’s pastor

� Granite City, Illinois with Dale Edwards as children’s pastor

Candy and her husband, Michael, have also pastoredchurches in Southern California. She is a writer, speaker and,for the past two years, has served as the national leadershipdevelopment coordinator for Women’s Ministries.

Every November, we have a Women of Purpose Conference that draws from over 400 church-es from 11 or more denominations or church groups. We invite anointed speakers and soloistsfrom across the nation to challenge our hearts. The worship is dynamic and spirit led. The ses-sions are charged with the electricity of expectation and prayer. As a result, God touches lives.Every year women find healing, hope and refreshment as they join together to seek the Lord. Atthe beginning of the conference, our Ladies Leadership Summit is scheduled for all women thatare in leadership in their local church. This involves a morning session of inspiration and infor-mation through a special guest selected to minister to this special group of “Women of Purpose.”

The Women of Purpose ministry also provides Spring Celebrations in 10 to 12 locationsthroughout the Pennsylvania-Delaware area. The purpose of this local women’s event is toencourage women to fellowship together, to grow in their knowledge of and in their relation-ship with Christ, to get involved in a ministry of service, to worship together in song andthroughout our lives. It is also an opportunity to share our faith by bringing friends with us.Women are encouraged to be a part of the committee that plans these events, to volunteer toserve in a practical way during the sessions, to pray for and come to the meetings expectingdivine truth to be revealed.This is an opportunity for you to meet your Women of Purpose sec-tional representative and women from other churches in your area. You can make a differencein the lives of women by taking an active part in the Spring Celebration of your section.

We believe that you can find your purpose and become joyful, vibrant and effective“Women of Purpose” in your local church ministries, in your neighborhoods, on your job andin your home. You can be a diamond that shines for God. You can be a Woman of Purpose!


continued from page 16 . . .

WOMEN OF PURPOSEDATES FOR 2006

Spring CelebrationsMarch through May

Ladies LeadershipSummitNovember 10, 2006

Women of PurposeConference at HersheyNovember 9–11, 2006


ROYAL RANGERS

Joe Finan

[email protected]

� � � � � � � � � � � �

STEPS DOWN BUT NOT OUTortheast Section Royal Rangers Commander JohnZablocky proudly displays the “Outstanding SectionAward” which was presented to him at the 2005 DistrictPowwow. This is the second year in a row this award wasaccepted by John on behalf of the NE Section for an

outstanding year in ministry to boys. Each year the 12 sections areevaluated based on the numbers submitted by the sectionalcommander to the district; a trophy award is then presented inrecognition of the outstanding “status” of the highest per-formance rated section in the district.

Commander Zablocky is stepping down at year end forpersonal reasons; The section Ranger responsibility will beassumed by Cmdr. Jody Hummel another outstandingleader who has earned the respect of the Ranger command-ers throughout the section. Commander Zablocky has servedas Sectional Commander over five years and will continue towork with boys in outpost 80, Peckville Assembly of God. Hissecond love is reaching boys for Christ; his love for Jesus and his wifePearl has been evident throughout his ministry and we expect that tocontinue till God calls him home via the undertaker or the uppertaker.John Zablocky your Royal Ranger brothers and sisters love you.

NAdditionalRangerNews...� The 2006 Royal RangersCalendar is posted on the website; for the latest Rangernews go to www.pdrangers.org

� Reminder that the newRanger of the Year test period (2005–2006) beginsSeptember 1, 2005

� The permit to build a pavilionat the Royal Rangers Camp inHoney Grove is waiting onsponsors to fund the project.Please consider sending aPavilion Project Offering to the Camp Director:

Cmdr Paul Sheaffer2464 Lobach Dr.Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

� Thank you to all the churches and contributors that have given to Support the Ranger Camp.

Discovery Ranger Matthew Gochenour age 11 fromOutpost 56, Clarks Green Assembly of God proudly showsoff his captured insects on his display board; the final workto earn him the “Insect Merit.” In this merit study done in 5parts, boys learn insect life cycles, diseases and insects, kindsand identification as well as scriptures that mention insects.Boys learn safe capture of the insects for required individualdisplay boards. Boys and commanders learn social insectsand solitary insects; helpful and harmful insects. The studyof God's creatures is a fascinating experience for young andold alike. So before you venture into an nice clean meritlike the “chess merit,” or the “art merit,” check out the “insect study” merit overview on page 201 in the Red Merits book. You will be surprised what you learn in this adventure study for Ranger boys.

Jeff Dyer

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

YOUTH PASTORCalvary Assembly of GodDover, DE

Today’s young adults (18–early 30’s) are searching for community.With the Internet, one can find a community that embraces their interests and idealswith the click of a mouse. Yet, increasingly, young adults crave real-life community.Jesus said that people will know we are His disciples by our love (John 13:35). TheChurch must be a place that offers love, acceptance and community to those who arespiritually seeking.

Paul, when writing to the Thessalonians, said that he loved them so much that hegladly shared with them not only the Gospel but his very life as well (1 Thess. 2:8).Authentic community emerges from authen-tic relationships—with Christ and oneanother. In the past, people looked for asuper-leader to lead them. To show weak-ness was to show a fault. Today, vulnerabili-ty has become an asset. People crave leaderswho can be frank about the struggles in liv-ing a life that pleases God. People learnfrom our struggles and the way we reflectChrist even when challenged to live out ourfaith in the little things.

The primary relationship the Church hasto offer is a relationship with Jesus Christ.Young adults today are searching for realanswers and powerful encounters with a liv-ing God. Now, more than ever, our worshipservices must overflow with the power andmoving of the Holy Spirit. It would be ashame that a non-Christian might come to aPentecostal church and leave not having wit-nessed and experienced the power of God.

Young Adults

Reachingand Keeping

Located inCarlisle, PA

A great place for:

Retreats

Picnics

Outings

Conferences

Meetings

Banquets

Located inCarlisle, PA

A great place for:

Retreats

Picnics

Outings

Conferences

Meetings

Banquets

Call (717) 243-7381 for information


Young adults

today are

searching for

real answers

and powerful

encounters

with a

living God.

Young adults

today are

searching for

real answers

and powerful

encounters

with a

living God.

4651 Westport DriveMechanicsburg, PA 17055-4887

YES! I would like to receive a prospectusdescribing the Loan Fund and the securi-ties offered by the District Council.

Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

State _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

FOR FASTEST SERVICE:Phone 717-795-5921E-mail [email protected]

MAIL TO:Pennsylvania-DelawareDistrict Loan Fund4651 Westport DriveMechanicsburg, PA 17055

❑�YES! I would like to receive a prospectus describing the Loan Fund and the securities offered by the District Council.

L o a n F u n d U p d a t e

Philip BongiornoChairman

Michael BongiornoExecutive Director

Denise FolkAdministrative Assistant

s of July 31, 2005, the Loan Fund had 86 outstanding loans totaling over $22.8 million. Total deposits in the Fund

amounted to $42.19 million. The Fund recently provided additional financing in the amount of $60,000.00 for

River of Life Assembly of God in Sunbury, PA to purchase land for parking. Under the leadership of Pastor Brian

Seidel, in October 2002 the church borrowed $205,000.00 from the

Loan Fund to purchase and renovate a vacant elementary school. Quoting Pastor

Seidel from a letter he addressed to the Loan Fund Committee as the church

began the loan application process to purchase the building in which it is now

meeting, “The vision of this church is to impact the community through children,

youth and adult ministries. . . .Your investment in this church will be a fruitful and

profitable investment in the Kingdom of God. I believe we are ripe for the harvest

and that we truly will impact this area.” Making an impact and reaping souls that

are ripe for harvest is what the Loan Fund is all about. Why not work with us by

investing in the Loan Fund?

If you’d like to know more, contact us today for information and a prospectus.

The initial interest rate on all Notes will depend on the effective interest rates at the time of purchase. Terms Notes pay

interest at a rate fixed at the time of issuance. Once fixed, the interest rate on a Term Note will not be changed until the

Note matures. At least thirty (30) days prior to any decrease in the interest rate on a Demand Note, the Loan Fund will

notify the holder of such change.

This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities. The offering is made only by the prospectus. These unsecured

debt securities are NOT available to residents outside of Pennsylvania or Delaware. The notes are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of a

bank and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, any state bank insurance fund, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation or any

other governmental agency.

aRates as of October 1, 2005($500.00 Minimum Investment)

Demand Note 3.00%6 Month Note 3.25%1 Year Note 3.50%2 1/2 Year Note 4.25%4 Year Note 5.00%

2005Q4

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