Local Church News
Updated 10.20.2009
Allegheny Conference
Air Hill (Chambersburg, Pa.) led a team of youth on a week-long mission trip to Kentucky to work with the people of the Appalachians. • In June, four people were baptized and eight were taken into membership at Bunker Hill (W. Va.) BIC. • A group of senior high students from Chambersburg, (Pa.) BIC went to Puerto Rico and came back humbled and with a desire to continue serving and sharing. • Martinsburg (Pa.) BIC will host a “Fall Fair” for community outreach and “Rally Day” to kick off the new Sunday school year. • A group from Mt. Rock BIC (Shippensburg, Pa.) recently did a Wednesday evening street ministry in their town and had opportunity to pray for healing of people’s physical needs. • A group of youth and adults from Mt. Tabor BIC (Mercersburg, Pa.), traveled to Bramwell, W.Va., for four days and were able to repair three homes and bring hope and reconciliation to three families. • South Mountain Chapel (Shippensburg, Pa.) held an outdoor worship and picnic called “Worship in the Park” in September. • Rio-Chambersburg, Pa., started a young adult group that meets on Saturdays and a bi-weekly cell group for Spanish-speaking patients at a restoration center.
Atlantic Conference
Some of the ministries of Circle of Hope, a network of congregations in Philadelphia, such as Circle Thrift, Circle Counseling that runs night and day, Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services that works with at-risk kids, and Shalom House are beginning to have nation-wide influence. • Daybreak BIC (Royersford, Pa.) presented a program at Spring-Ford High School in October entitled, “Understanding Your Teenager” by Duffy Robbins. • Fairland BIC (Cleona, Pa.) welcomes Dustin, Rachel, Isaac, and Audrey Sider as their new pastoral family. • Harrisburg (Pa.) BIC filled donated backpacks with school supplies and distributed them during their annual back-to-school outreach. • LifePoint (Harrisburg, Pa.) had a Family Fun Fair outreach in September with free food, games, and lots of fun. • The Women’s Ministry at Marsh Creek BIC (Exton, Pa.) offers variety of activities such as Crafts, Fitness Classes, Book Club, and Bible Study, and the ever popular Ladies Night Out can vary from meeting at local restaurants, gathering at someone's home for games, shopping the outlets, going to the spa, or taking in a movie.
Canadian Conference
A new small group from Bertie BIC (Stevensville, ON) called “Tim and the Bible” meets once a week at Tim Horton’s coffee shop. • Massey Place Community (Saskatoon, SK) has a growing quilting group bringing in new people, and an amazing financial peace program. • Heise Hill BIC (Gormley, ON) started the Alpha series in September and hosted a summer afternoon in the park to get better acquainted with neighbors. • Drive-in movies, outdoor services, VBS and other initiatives were some of the outreach activities at Living Faith (Chatham, ON). • Westheights BIC (Kitchener, ON) held a huge free and fun summer carnival outreach for the community.
Great Lakes Conference
Todd Hammond was recently installed as senior pastor at Highland BIC (West Milton, Ohio), after serving there as associate pastor there for the last year. • Lakeview Community (Goodrich, Mich.) has a group called MOW (Men Out of Work) that meets weekly for prayer, support, and encouragement. • The Nappanee (Ind.) BIC congregation prepared meals for community families affected by the economic crisis, and its quiz team successfully won the 2009 denominational quiz finals. • Pleasant Hill (Ohio) gave a “thank you” outreach block party to the community with games, food, and prizes. • Western Hills (Cincinnati, Ohio) recently installed Tracie Hunter, a lawyer who serves as president of Kingdom Life Ministries and as manager of a Christian Radio Station, as its pastor.
Midwest Conference
LifeHouse (Abilene, Kans.) followed a summer series called “More Than Meets the Eye” using the Lord’s Prayer. • New Trail Fellowship (Abilene, Kans.) held an BBQ with a hay bale throwing contest, water games, etc., at the new home of Pastor Stan and Beth Norman. They also had the annual Community Cowboy service with musical group Prairie Rose Rangers in concert. • Revolution BIC (Salina, Kans.) is doing a sermon series on Joshua, God’s Warrior. • The Rock Island Church (Herington, Kans.) participated in a leadership retreat focusing on the theme “Hunger for God.” • Zion BIC (Abilene, Kans.) will have their Annual Fall Party with a meal, bonfire, and hayrides.
Pacific Conference
Overcoming concerns about swine flu and drug violence, Gateway Community (Chino, Calif.) and GracePoint (Ontario, Calif.) partnered with Baja Christian Ministries to lead a team of 43 persons in building a church and a parsonage in south Tijuana, Mexico. • GracePoint also did a series called “God is Green” and wrestled with the Christians call to care for creation. • Solid Ground BIC (Alta Loma, Calif.) and Alta Loma Christian School celebrated 30 years of ministry and education with a barbeque lunch with family activities, including a salsa cook-off, eating contest, and organized races. A group of 29 people participated in Solid Ground’s 5th bi-annual mission trip to the Youth for Christ camp in Brazil this summer.
Susquehanna Conference
The men at Cumberland Valley BIC (Dillsburg, Pa.) had a weekend fellowship retreat. • Dillsburg (Pa.) BIC was represented at the local Farmer’s Fair with puppet shows and a scavenger hunt. • The Youth Group of Eshcol (Ickesburg, Pa.) made a visit to a local nursing home to put on a skit for the elderly. • Grantham (Pa.) BIC hosted a concert by “Heritage Rising,” an a cappella group featuring a variety of genres from Renaissance to pop. • “Celebrate Recovery,” a Christ-centered 12-step recovery program open to anyone, meets every Monday evening at Mechanicsburg (Pa.) BIC. The church is also holding Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes this fall. • “A Night at the Throne”, a unique worship experience, will be presented by Chuck Girard in concert at Redland Valley (York Haven, Pa.).
