SUMMER 2014 | USPS 165-700
PEOPLE LIKE YOU
REACHING PEOPLE LIKE ME
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MINISTRIESUMMIT GUEST SPEAKERS BARNABAS MTOKAMBALI WORLD MISSIONS NIGHT TUESDAY, MAY 6 Barnabas Mtokambali, Tanzanian Pastor and Superintendent of the Tanzanian Assemblies of God Fellowship, has spent the past 10 years building churches — every 25 square miles. Barnabas has implemented a vision and strategy that led to the current initiative of building 547 primary churches to blanket Tanzania with one church every 25 square miles. Thirty one of these new churches have built or have under construction an orphanage to reach out and care for over 11,500 homeless orphans that have been a result of the devastating AIDs epidemic. We are pleased to partner with Barnabas in Africa!
JIM BRADFORD ORDINATION CELEBRATION WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 As General Secretary, Dr. Bradford helps lead our fellowship as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and the Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God. He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and is author of Preaching: Maybe It is Rocket Science. He has served as lead pastor in Missouri, Vancouver and southern California. Dr. Bradford encourages leaders to live their life by three principles: 1. Put your best energies into your most important relationships. 2. Put your best resources into your highest priorities. 3. Put your best attitudes into your deepest disappointments. 2 | Network connexions | Summer 2014
5-7, 2014
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MONDAY, MAY 5 3:00 pm Registration Opens Free Rita’s Italian Ice (3-5:30 pm) 7:05 pm Pirate’s Game: Assemblies of God Night at PNC Park
TUESDAY, MAY 6 8:30 am 9:30 am
Registration Sacred Assembly: Believing God In Prayer Prayer, Memorial & Communion Service Rev. Bryan Koch
11:45 am Seniors’ Luncheon in Multi-Purpose Room 12:00 pm Youth Leaders’ Luncheon at Quaker Steak & Lube Worship Leaders’ Luncheon at Al’s Cafe 1:45 pm 7:00 pm 9:30 pm
Business Session Missions: Believing God For Africa Dr. Barnabas Mtokambali Under 40 Gathering at Quaker Steak & Lube
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 9:30 am Church Planting: Believing God For Greater Things Dr. Stephen R. Tourville 11:45 am Ladies’ Luncheon in Multi-Purpose Room Intercultural Luncheon in Choir Room 12:00 pm 1:45 pm 3:00 pm 7:00 pm
Children’s Ministry Luncheon at Quaker Steak & Lube Coaching Labs Session 1 Coaching Labs Session 2 Ordination: Believing God For Anointing Dr. James Bradford
LUNCHEONS
Space is limited • Register by April 15 • Call Marjorie to register 717.795.5921 SENIORS’ LUNCHEON Tuesday, 11:45 am • Free for Seniors (65 +) LADIES’ LUNCHEON Wednesday, 11:45 am • $10.00 per person INTERCULTURAL LUNCHEON Wednesday, 11:45 am • Free for Intercultural Pastors QUAKER STEAK & LUBE EVENTS Southland Shopping Center • Dutch Treat WORSHIP LEADERS’ LUNCHEON Tuesday, 12:00 pm • Al’s Cafe in Bethel Park, PA • $10.00 per person Make checks payable to: PennDel District (Payment required for Ladies’ Luncheon reservation) Send payment to: Marjorie Tourville 4651 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
SUPERINTENDENT
Pastor Stephen Tourville, D. Min. 717.795.5921 supt@penndel.org
“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.”
BELIEVE is the word both our General Council and District Network have chosen to be our focus this year. It is both personal and powerful, specific and general, broad and narrow. BELIEVE is so much more than mere mental assent to what is true. It consolidates the mind, will and emotions toward the object of expectation. As a movement, we have embraced the four-fold truths of salvation, divine healing, the second coming, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While there are many things we hold true, these have practical implications for us personally, and they motivate us to fulfill the commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ. BELIEVE means we embrace truth into our personal existence on a daily basis, and it means we have a responsibility to share these same truths with everyone around the globe. Because we BELIEVE, we are driven to tell the world about our Jesus and His great love for us all. Our Network
focus is to sacrifice and strive to share the gospel with individuals and to plant churches that reach those without Christ. Our focus this year in church planting is on “reaching the one.” On September 21 multiple churches will be planted, not only here in PennDel, but also throughout the Northeast Region of the United States. Our global focus will be East Africa “PEOPLE LIKE YOU REACHING PEOPLE LIKE ME.” We BELIEVE that through our partnership with the Tanzanian Assemblies of God, AG World Missions, and our own missionaries on the ground, we can accomplish our goal to mobilize, develop, train and launch Live Dead teams in East Africa. Because we BELIEVE, we are better together. We join our hearts and efforts to proclaim the full gospel to all the world at home and abroad. We invite you to join us in this amazing journey in following Jesus, our Lord.
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Due to the sensitivity of this material, we have removed it from the web.
Due to the sensitivity of this material, we have removed it from the web.
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT Bryan Koch 610.678.0266 ext. 224 bryankoch@gtaog.org
PEOPLE LIKE YOU
REACHING
PEOPLE LIKE ME
“I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time and eternity.”
. . . David Livingstone
Due to the sensitivity of this material, we have removed it from the web.
SECRETARY/TREASURER Donald J. Immel 717.795.5921 don@penndel.org
ABOUT PEOPLE Ministers Transferring In: DeSantis, Stephen M. (Ordained) Gillott, Christopher A. (Licensed) Heikkila, Holly D. (Licensed) Masengale, Melvin (Ordained) Van-Evera, Miciah (Licensed)
from Southern New England from Illinois from Potomac from Oklahoma from Oklahoma
Ministers Transferring Out: Albright, William (Licensed)
to Potomac
New and Upgraded Credentials: Certified Minister Baumgartner, Judy L. Hall, Stephen M. Kaufmann, Benjamin W. Lee Jr., Robert E. Lewis, Scott T. Licensed Minister Gruber, Timothy A. Hyman, Lee E. Kelly, Megan E. Marin, David Pagano, Lucius D. Robles, Jonathan O. Wheatley, Penny L.
Ordained Bailey Jr., Bobby R. Bright, Christopher B. Cluck, Sue A. Freeman, Tiffany L. Franqui, Miseal Horne, Russel K. Keen, Frank L. McKeag, Kristen M. Martone III, Earnest J. Maruio, Carrie A. Nagle, Kirk A. Pugh, Robin L. Stirling, Craig C. Twiss, Heather B. VanLuven, Aaron J.
With the Lord
Richard Beatty, 67, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, March 5, 2014 after a brief battle with cancer. Reverend Beatty served as lead pastor throughout our District in Dubois, Selbyville, Shade Gap and was the current pastor of Kittanning. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of almost 19 years. Florence (Shellenberger) Benner, 80, wife of Reverend Park Benner, peacefully passed away to join her Lord Wednesday, March 5, 2014. Florence served faithfully alongside her husband throughout the PennDel District in the following churches: Ickesburg, Marietta, Conshohocken, Beaver Falls, Latrobe and Wellsboro before retirement in Springfield, MO in 1996. Charles Kitner, 69, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. He was in the ministry for 38 years and in the Blairsville Church for 25 years. Prior to his ministry in Blairsville, He pastored Faith Assembly, Bridgeport. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marian E. (Verscharen) Kitner. Robert Rainbow, 88, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. Reverend Rainbow served in the New York and North Carolina Districts 8 | Network connexions | Summer 2014
About Churches:
District Affiliated Assembly: Crossroads Church – Murrysville, PA General Council Affiliated: River of Life Church of the A/G – Doylestown, PA G Craig Lauterbach, Pastor Harvest Church – Fleetwood, PA Ken Frye, Pastor Parent Affiliated Assembly: Church on the Rock – Houston, PA Stephen Getchell – Parent Church Lead Pastor Jose Teodoro – PAC Leader City Reach Church – Bangor, ME Brian Bolt – Parent Church Lead Pastor Robert Bledsoe – PAC Leader City Reach Church – Messena, NY Brian Bolt – Parent Church Lead Pastor David Ruth – PAC Leader Glad Tidings – Kutztown, PA Brian Koch – Parent Church Lead Pastor David Soto – PAC Leader Life Community Church- DuBois, PA Jeff Leake – Parent Church Lead Pastor James Goodman – PAC Leader Riverside Community Church – Tarentum, PA Bill Ellis – Parent Church Lead Pastor David Kennard – PAC Leader The Towers – Coraopolis, PA Wayne Jackson – Parent Church Lead Pastor David Odrey – PAC Leader York Springs Church – Gettysburg, PA Gerry Stoltzfoos – Parent Church Lead Pastor Tyler Weidler – PAC Leader Pastoral Transitions: Stephen M DeSantis to Glad Tidings A/G, Clearfield, PA Melvin Masengale to The Summit, Indiana, PA Richard Ritenour to Bethel A/G, Littlestown, PA
in addition to his ministry here in PennDel. He was lead pastor of Clearfield, Moosic, West Chester and Latrobe. He also pastored 13 years at Teen Challenge Ministry, Rehrersburg. He is survived by his wife, Rowann, of 67 years, Charles Willman, 96, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 26, 2014. He was the husband of Ursa N. (Kitchell) Melander Willman. He was preceded in death by his wife Pauline M. (Brintzenhoff) Willman, who passed in 1984, Reverend Willman was pastor of Oley Gospel Church, Oley from 1957 to 1994 and again from 2000 to 2007. Robert E. Ketner, 83, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Robert was a graduate of Zion Bible Institute Class of 1956. He was licensed in the New Jersey District and later transferred to the PennDel District and was ordained in 1968. Robert served faithfully throughout the PennDel District as lead pastor at the following churches: Lighthouse A/G – Wilmore, First Pentecostal Church – Coraopolis, Hellertown A/G, and Calvary A/G – Clairton. During the past several years, Robert enjoyed serving the Everett Assembly of God as their Visitation/ Senior Adult Pastor.
Connecting...
Pastoral Commissioning Pastoral Commissioning Pastor Richard & Robin Ritenour Bethel AG • Littlestown, PA
Celebrate Festival July 11 – 13 Golf Tournament Thursday, September 18 Partners & Friends Banquet Thursday, Novemeber 6
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Pastor Steve & Donna DeSantis Glad Tidings AG Clearfield, PA
Pastoral Commissioning Pastor Eric & Tiffany Spanier Wilmington First Assembly Wilmington, DE
VFCC GIVEN THE NATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE CENTER We celebrate with Valley Forge Christian College their largest gift in its 75 year history! “We are thrilled to announce the gift of the National Christian Conference Center,” said Dr. Don Meyer, President of Valley Forge Christian College. “This beautiful additional campus site along the Schuylkill River provides the opportunity to extend the educational, leadership, and spiritual services of the college.” The 47 acre site is located approximately one mile from Valley Forge National Park. The original Inhill Farm house and barn (1731), two main buildings, a swimming pool, hiking trails, and a ropes course comprise the major elements of the property which is bordered by the Schuylkill River. Only four miles from the main campus of VFCC in Phoenixville, the college plans to use this additional campus site for educational programs, worship opportunities, student housing, student leadership training, meetings, and other uses. President Meyer shared this sentiment, “Words cannot express the depth of gratitude we feel toward the anonymous donors who made this gift possible. God has truly blessed the college with this gift and we are excited to see how this additional campus site will further enhance the mission and ministries of Valley Forge Christian College.” Network connexions | Summer 2014 | 9
PennDel Home
REACHING THEONE WHO IS FAR FROMGOD
CHURCH PLANTING Tom Rees 717.795.5921 tom@penndel.org
Jeff Leake Reach Northeast Initiative We are better together! We can do so much more when we join together than when we go it alone. This is a statement that I have heard Pastor Steve Tourville declare over and over again. And I absolutely agree with this principle! On Sunday, September 21, 2014 - TOGETHER we will work to see TEN new churches planted in ONE day to reach the ONE who is disconnected from God and needs to experience the love of Christ.
PennDel District Churches, and those in other Districts will be planted with full-permission and active partnerships with this Districts. Our goal is to raise $300,000 as an investment in these new works (30K per church). Already we have had one business leader give 90K toward this project - so we are well on our way toward the goal.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED: 1. PRAY
How is this possible? We will be working together with Convoy of Hope, CityReach Network, Church Multiplication Network, the Reach Northeast Initiative, and several other Districts in this region to make this dream a reality. Several churches will be planted in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Buffalo, New York City, Hartford, Columbus, and Toledo, Ohio. All of them will be Parent Affiliated Churches to
for these churches, their pastors, and their launch day.
2. GIVE toward this Ten for One project.
3. SEND a missions team to serve in the Convoy of Hope outreach that will happen the day before the grand opening service, and stay over to attend the launch day for one of these new churches.
We believe that we are BETTER TOGETHER – 10 | Network connexions | Summer 2014
Missions Project
Brian Bolt CityReach Network CityReach believes in using unlikely people in overlooked places for extraordinary things to lay claim to that for which Jesus has already paid! Anthony is one of those unlikely people that is moving into an overlooked town to reach the hurting and lost with the love of Jesus Christ. Before his life encounter with Jesus Christ, Anthony lived in the world of drugs both using and dealing. He also made a name for himself as a wrestler with National Wrestling Alliance before being forced to retire due to a broken back. Anthony said that he and his wife, Ashley, were like two derailing trains that ran into each other. Then they met Jesus! After attending the Reach Northeast Ministry School and serving at CityReach Pittsburgh and CityReach Braddock, Anthony felt the call
to plant a church in the same neighborhood where he use to deal drugs. In September, CityReach New Kensington will be launched to bring hope and healing to a hurting town! In addition to the churches being planted on September 21, CityReach Network is partnering with Convoy of Hope to provide ten “Day of Hope� events the day before each church launches. This partnership will allow each new church to provide groceries, connections to the community services, medical care, a kids zone, family portraits, live entertainment, lunch, and the presentation of the Gospel and an invitation to church the next day. September 20-21 will be a weekend where new ground will be taken for Christ and lives will be impacted for eternity!
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YOUTH MINISTRIES Doug Sayers 717.795.5921 dyd@penndel.org
Where Does This Generation Go To Believe?
I
have a confession to make: nostalgia is not my strongest attribute. As a futurist, I often am strategically thinking about what is coming. Yet, scripture has taught us to recount to this next generation the wonders and miracles of the past so that they too will learn to trust God (Ps 78:1-8). When I think back to days gone by, I recall those amazing Sunday night services and how, for many of us, they were just better. The music was better (it
5 Insane Reasons to Come to Camp! 1) World Class Mud Pit 2) Best Milkshakes in Central PA 3) Intense Bible Quiz Show Downs 4) 5 Awesome Days with Friends 5) Life Changing Moments at the Alter
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was more lively), the preaching seemed better (it was often on a topic of a heaven to be gained or a hell to be shunned!), and time was given to just be in the presence of the Lord at the alters. We can remember the life changing moments we had waiting on the Lord at an alter on a Sunday night in our home churches. It was there that we had significant encounters and conversations with the Lord as we waited and often were moved by the presence of God’s Spirit. For many of us, those were defining moments where we got right with God, were filled with the Spirit, and found our life’s callings. Where does waiting on God happen for our children and teenagers today? Where can they have the freedom with no clocks, schedules, or life to rush them so they have the time to encounter Christ and be filled with His Spirit? Youth Camp! Youth Camp is still a place where the fun, fast pasted schedule of the day is only a means to break down walls and barriers for our kids to encounter Christ at the alters. I have been around long enough to know that we have pastors, professionals, Sunday school teachers and church leaders that can walk to a very specific
place at our Bongiorno Conference Center and point to a place on the carpet where they came to believe as they were saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, healed and found their life’s calling to serve Jesus. The best news is IT IS STILL HAPPENING!!!! Though there are not many Sunday night services left there is still a place that this generation can come to believe and have a life changing encounter with Jesus. The PennDel Network is still making powerful Youth Camps and Kid’s Camps available in the summer were our kids can encounter Jesus. We still have Back to School Advance in the Fall and Winter Retreats and Youth Convention in the Winter and Spring. These are powerful places where
June 16-20 Joe Phillips
intimacy with Jesus in the alters is not only encouraged but is fasted and prayed for by leadership.
revrollinjoe
June 23-27 Doug Witherup
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Here is what a few students are saying about their camp experiences: “This camp changed my life. Now I know what God wants for me: to be a missionary.” – Ariana, New Stanton “Youth camp 2013 was so powerful. God’s presence was so tangible and I’m really excited to go home stronger and free-er.” – Rebekah, Monroeville “Went to the youth convention and I was called to youth ministry.” – Zachary, Clarksburg
Worship: Pneuma Drama: Appointed
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“At Camp I realized that I am a princess of the most high God, and that everywhere I go is a mission field.” – Kitty, Monroeville “I spoke in tongues and am now on fire for the Lord. I used to be a pretty mediocre Christian. I’m totally changed now. This place is powerful.” – Caleb, Milford Would you join with us and begin to pray for our upcoming camps this summer? Perhaps there is a teenager you know that needs to encounter the presence of Jesus and be filled with His Spirit. Join us in passing on to this next generation the power and presence of Jesus at Youth Camp this summer, and believe with us for amazing things IN 2014!
2 Corinthians 5:13
@penndelyouth Network connexions | Summer 2014 | 13
YOUTH ALIVE MISSIONARY Belief is a powerful thing. Lee Rogers 717.795.9780 lee@reachtheschool.com
reachtheschool.com twitter.com/reachtheschool facebook.com/reachtheschool
Not only does it give us confidence in what we do not see, belief also plays a role in our salvation. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3, Gal. 3:6, James 2:23). “It is by grace you are saved through faith (belief)...” (Eph. 2:8). James gives us another glimpse into the power of belief in our prayers and petitions when he writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe...” (James 1:5–6). In his comments on this passage, Augustine wrote “This is the faith (belief) which gains the bountiful outpouring of the Spirit.” As the District Campus Pastor, I have a lot of big prayers for our schools, students, and churches. I am believing God for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that empowers students to be witnesses. I am believing God for an army of Campus Missionaries who will be committed to live out
their walk of faith in school, love their campus, and lead their friends to the cross. This year, we are approaching 1000 Campus Missionaries. I am believing God for 3000 Campus Missionaries within the next three years. I am believing God that every church in our district would adopt their campus as a mission field, committing to pray and serve their school community in a Spirit of humility and power. I am believing God for a church to be planted inside every school building. We call them Bible Clubs, and just like a church, they should be a strategic missional agency in their community. Every year at our annual Campus Missionary Training retreat, Advance, we conclude by asking our Campus Missionaries to dream about what God wants to do in their school through them. Last year, they wrote their dreams and prayers on helium balloons, which were then released to Heaven. I love hearing the dreams and prayers of our Campus Missionaries. Here are some things they are praying and believing God for now:
“I am believing for God to move in the entire school.” — Becca in Lititz “I’ve been praying that everyone in my school will know God and quit listening to the lies of this world.” — Annie in Elizabeth “I am praying for the soon-to-be mothers in our high school.” — Britteny in Gettysburg “I believe that God isn’t finished...this is just the beginning of what He has for us.” — Charlie in Renovo “I am believing that God can take the itty bitty mundane parts of my life and make something beautiful for His kingdom out of it.” — Allison in Mechanicsburg “I believe God will work through me to reach out to my school.” — Jake in Boiling Springs
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION BONGIORNO CONF. CENTER
Believing for Life Change For many of us, we can point to a few life change moments. Take a moment and think of those two or three monumental change points in your life. Do you have those moments locked in your memory? Perhaps it was an altar call, a children’s or youth camp experience, becoming a parent or losing a loved one. For most of us, change happens through thousands of moments we might not even remember. During an average summer day, a child (ages 8-18) spends 270 minutes watching television, 80 minutes playing video games, 82 minutes on the phone and 27 minutes on the computer. This summer, let’s instead offer a child 5,520 minutes during a week of Kids’ Camp that will afford hundreds of change points!
George Krebs 717.795.5921 george@penndel.org
You can give a child time to think without distractions, a chance to be known and loved. You can offer the friendship of caring adult role models to help in navigating the tough decisions of adolescence. Camp is a place where important questions are answered. It all happens in an environment of high adventure surrounded by the beauty of nature. Kids’ Camp is an opportunity for those life changing moments where kids can decompress, dream and believe God for a better future. This summer believe with me for thousands of changed lives! Offer the children of your church 5,520 potential moments for life change; become a partner in Kids’ Camp!
www.penndel.org
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WOMEN OF PURPOSE
Ruth Puleo 717.795.5921 ruth@penndelwomenofpurpose.org penndelwomenofpurpose.org
Within each of us lies a seed of faith so powerful, it will birth a transformation of who we are and how we behave. It’s the place of true conviction that says, with no reservations, “I believe.” That place is hard to find in the midst of life, in the midst of trials - but it’s there – waiting. Jesus reminds us, in John 12:24, that a seed must be placed in the ground and die in order to grow and produce many seeds as a result. So often the trials we face cause us to let go of our will and yield to God’s greater plan. Death to our fears brings faith, which spreads hope and life in everything we are and do; though it’s hard to trust and it’s hard to have faith — we have been created to believe.
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You may feel like you have very little faith to believe. Be encouraged that Jesus reminded us of the person with the tiny mustard seed of faith that, when it is planted, becomes one of the largest trees, big enough for birds to find rest in its branches. Your small seed of faith, when entrusted to God, will flourish so much that others will see and believe. In Mark 9:23, it says “everything is possible for one who believes.” WE believe that this year’s Women of Purpose Conference will not only strengthen your faith, but also your belief that our God is the God of the impossible. HE will bring new life and hope into each of us.
GIRLS MINISTRIES
Sharon Poole “…even though you penndeldmc@yahoo.com penndel.org/girls do not see Him now, you believe in Him…” I Peter 1:8
I have always been a “visual” person – if I could see it, I could understand it. As a child, the workings of the motor of a vehicle made no sense to me. That is until a mechanic explained by showing me how it worked. The spark plugs, the radiator, the belts – they all made sense once I saw them working! Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior! And we are told to believe even though we do not physically see Him. Increasingly in our society that concept is harder and harder to grasp. However, instead of giving up on the command to go and tell, I believe we can “see” with our spiritual eyes the signs and wonders that Jesus has placed in our lives. His presence and work are evident as we BELIEVE and choose to have faith in Jesus.
On March 10, 2000 I was involved in an accident (not my fault). Although I did not appear to be hurt, the paramedics insisted on taking me to the hospital. As I lay in the ambulance strapped onto the stretcher, my husband and son were allowed into the cramped area to make sure I was okay. As I was talking with them, I felt a hand touch my foot. I could not see who it was, but I could tell by the touch that my daughter was touching me, making sure I was okay. We, as believers, have the responsibility to tell a corrupt world that Jesus Christ died upon the cross for each one’s salvation. No, I have never physically seen Jesus. But I KNOW that He is real, that He is my Savior because I have felt His touch on my life. And I must tell others.
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ROYAL RANGERS Greg Scott 302.697.2313 gscott@pdrangers.org www.pdrangers.org
WE BELIEVE
Q
uality is the result of disciplined learning, planning, and skillful implementation. It represents the wise choice among many lesser alternatives. Quality is a race without a finish line. It is that insatiable appetite to make things better that has typified the American spirit and has shaped the Royal Rangers ministry. Times have changed since the Royal Ranger ministry was founded in 1962 and boys have changed too. To stay relevant the ministry has evolved as well, and as we grow, we want to remain quick and responsive to learn and adapt to our changing society. We realize that excellence is not a onetime event; it is a commitment to continual improvement. But improvement is not for wimps; it is for the disciplined of heart. Continual improvement is for the person engaged in disciplined thought, engaged in skillful and creative entrepreneurship. The Bible inspires us to greatness. King Solomon, speaking of life in general, said,
“Whatever your hands finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecc. 9:10). We believe Royal Rangers is still a relevant ministry for reaching boys and young men and their families and is effective, flexible, affordable, interconnected with other ministries of the church. Our ability to change and improve has brought us to a time of great excitement for our ministry. We believe that our ministry has become the premier, most sought after church ministry for the next generation of men in America. We believe that we will influence more boys and young men (and their families) than ever, more effectively than ever. We believe we will inspire men and women to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood and young men will be empowered to assume leadership positions. We believe that it is no harder to build something great than to build something good. Building greatness is a joy if you are serving in a ministry like Royal Rangers. The question is not, “Why build greatness?” but rather, “how?” To answer how is the purpose of the Excellence Initiative our ministry has embarked upon. That initiative has brought our ministry to a place where we feel we are the best mentoring ministry in the country. Royal Rangers has a bright future. So does every church that uses Royal Rangers to meet the needs of their boys. Just imagine what it can do for the boys in your church and what it can do to help your church grow. We believe we can show you, just ask. We would be more than willing to come and show you what it can do for you and how to get a program started or how to improve the Royal Ranger program that you have.
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Coming Events in 2014: PennDel RR Camp Work Day PDRR Camp Berry, Honey Grove, PA June 7th Junior Leadership Training Academy PDRR Camp Berry, Honey Grove, PA June 22-26th PennDel District Powwow PDRR Camp Berry, Honey Grove, PA June 27-29th National FCF Rendezvous Camp Eagle Rock, Missouri July 14-18th PennDel District BB Gun Competition Newport AG, Newport, PA July 26th
DISTRICT CALENDAR MAY
Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network 4651 Westport Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Read online: penndel.org/connexions
Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen R. Tourville Managing Editor: . . . . . Carole Bongiorno Executive Presbytery Superintendent . . . . . . . Stephen R. Tourville Assistant Superintendent . . Bryan Koch Secretary/Treasurer . . . . . Donald J. Immel 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 Roland Coon 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
Volume 60 Number 1 - (USPS 165-700) is the official periodical published quarterly by the PennsylvainaDelaware 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
1......................National Day of Prayer 2......................Day of Fasting and Prayer for District Council 2-3...................NE Regional Bible Quiz Finals 5-7 MinistrieSummit/98th District Council (South Hills, Bethel Park) 8......................Youth Committee Meeting 11....................Mother’s Day 17....................Kids’ Fun Arts 26....................Memorial Day – Ministries Center Closed 30-June 1........Women of Purpose Restoration Retreat
JUNE 6-8...................AdventureFest – Raystown Lake 7......................RR Honey Grove Camp Workday 8......................Pentecost Sunday 9......................Executive Presbytery – Summer Session 9......................Kennywood Park Day 10....................Hersheypark Day 12....................Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom 12-14...............Stars, Friends and Girls Only Retreats – BCC 15....................Father’s Day 16-20...............Week #1-Youth Camp – BCC 21....................Single Moms’ Day Out – Morning Star/Bechtelsville 22-26...............RR Junior Leadership Training Academy 23-27...............Week #2-Youth Camp – BCC 23-27...............AIM Training Camp 27-29...............RR District Powwow 29-July 3.........National Bible Quiz Finals
JULY 4......................Independence Day – Ministries Center Closed 7-11.................Week #1-Kids’ Camp – BCC 9-16.................AIM Trip – Haiti 14-18...............Week #2-Kids’ Camp – BCC 14-18...............RR National Rendezvous 21-25...............Week #3-Kids’ Camp – BCC 26....................RR District BB Gun Competition 28-Aug 1.........Week #4-Kids’ Camp – BCC 28-Aug 1.........National Fine Arts Festival
AUGUST 1-2...................RR District Leaders Conference 5-6...................General Presbytery 7-10.................100th AG Anniversary Celebration – Springfield, MO 15-17...............Bible Quiz Camp – BCC 15-17...............RR District Camp 29-Sept 1........Advance Back to School Retreat – BCC
Network connexions | Spring 2014 | 19
Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network 4651 Westport Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Find us online: penndel.org
HELPING CHURCHES REACH THEIR MINISTRY GOALS HIS Fund believes that by lending to churches, it is helping to fulfill the Great Commission. “With the savings we received through refinancing with HIS Fund, we are able to do some much-needed renovations, catch up on bills and, most importantly, give even more to missions every month. HIS Fund understands the ministry and church growth. And they do whatever they can to help you reach your ministry goals.” Jermel Mayo, Sr. Pastor Vailsburg Assembly of God, Newark NJ
current interest rates ($500.00 Minimum Investment)
Demand Note 2.25 %
6 month Term Note 2.50 %
1 year Term Note 2.75 %
2½ year Term Note 3.00 %
4 year Term Note 3.25 %
5 year Term Note 4.00 %
HERITAGE INVESTMENT SERVICES FUND
An investment that works www.HISFUND.com 866-219-0820 (toll free) 717-796-9784 OFFERED INTEREST RATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL FOR CURRENT RATES. THE INITIAL INTEREST RATE ON ALL NOTES WILL DEPEND ON THE EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATES AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. TERM 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. DEMAND NOTES PAY INTEREST AT A VARIABLE INTEREST RATE. AT LEAST THIRTY (30) DAYS PRIOR TO ANY DECREASE IN THE INTEREST RATE ON A DEMAND NOTE, HIS FUND WILL NOTIFY THE INVESTOR OF SUCH CHANGE. THIS INFORMATION IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL NOR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES ISSUED BY HIS FUND. THE OFFERING IS MADE ONLY BY THE PROSPECTUS. THE UNSECURED SECURITIES OF HIS FUND ARE NOT OFFERED OR SOLD IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE NOT PERMITTED. 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.
HIS FUND
An investment that works