Members Join Forces Across State to Share Gospel
F
aith for Family (F4F) has been an extraordinary experience in which I have seen God’s hand move in a powerful and marked way in my local church and many other churches across the conference,” says Jason Dietz, pastor of the Erie, Lowville and Seneca church districts in northwestern Pennsylvania. “I have been astonished at the compassion, sacrifice and commitment of those in other regions of our state who have committed to help reach western Pennsylvania for Jesus.” Eighteen churches and more than 1,300 members from across the state have been involved in sharing the gospel. Eleven people have been baptized so far, with more than 30 people continuing to study and prepare for baptism. Tim Bailey, director of leadership and spiritual growth; Lillian Torres, conference Bible trainer; and a team of pastors from across the state created Faith for Family as a movement to get every member involved in sharing the gospel in their community. This year the focus was on western Pennsylvania, where most congregations are small and struggle to grow. “I have not felt this encouraged in years,” says a church member. Western Pennsylvania churches weren’t the only ones impacted, however. Lehigh Valley (Allentown) Hispanic church members were so touched by their experience partnering with the Warren church in Russell, that they’re going back.
Pastor Pete Maldonado (left) of the Hampden Heights and Fleetwood churches and Pastor Gerald Small (right) of the Johnstown church baptize Bertha Maines.
Pastor Jason Dietz preaches the gospel at the Seneca church, where three people made decisions for baptism. “Our next trip will consist of having a Friday afternoon service,” says Erwin Carrasquilla, who took all four of his teenage sons to F4F with him in October. “Then we’ll spend the entire Sabbath with them— Sabbath School, worship and missionary work, in which we’ll invite more people to this church.” Bible workers remain in these communities, following up interests and leads that continue to come in as a result of the door hangers distributed before the evangelistic series. The F4F leadership team have provided each church with a discipleship series for mentoring new members, and will continue to train, encourage and guide members in effective evangelism. Four more meetings are scheduled for this spring. “Through this experience, many members have expressed their excitement and have gone back to their churches inspired to do more,” reports Torres. “Our vision is to reach every city in the state of Pennsylvania with the gospel of Jesus Christ.” The F4F team will focus on central Pennsylvania in 2018, inviting members from across the conference to again become missionaries in their communities. Others from outside the state, including the Hope Channel, are also hoping to become a part of this movement. For more information, visit faithforfamily.org.
columbiaunionvisitor.com VISITOR | 27