Network SPRING 2017 WebVersion

In Reaching The World
The Roma People
SPRING 2017 | USPS 165-700

DISTRICT CALENDAR
Sectional Council
Feb. 28........SWM – Houston/Central AG – 9:30 am
SCW – Breezewood/Lighthouse – 2:30 pm
MARCH
2..................SCE – Enola/River of God – 9:30 am
SC – Chambersburg/Bethel – 2 pm
6..................NC – Milesburg/Freedom Life – 9:30 am
NCW – Clearfield/Glad Tidings – 2 pm
7..................EC – Hamburg/The Bridge Church – 9:30 am
NE – Hazleton/Faith – 2 pm
9..................GPA – West Chester/Trinity – 9:30 am
DEL – Wilmington/First – 2 pm
MARCH
3-5...............Kids’ Breakaway #2 – BCC
9-11.............National RR Council
12................Daylight Savings Time
18................District Teen Bible Quiz Finals
20................Presbyter Meeting – BCC
21................Credential Interviews – BCC
31-Apr 1......District RR Leaders’ Conference
APRIL
7-8...............Acts 2 Journey #2 – 2017 – BCC
8..................RR Camp Work Day @ Camp Berry
9..................Palm Sunday
12-14...........District Fine Arts Festival – CLA/Camp Hill
13-15...........District Youth Convention – Giant Center, Hershey
16................Easter
20................World Missions Rep’s Meeting – BCC
21-22...........Girls Ministries Impact! Leadership Training – BCC
23................National Youth Day
28................Fasting & Prayer Day
28-30...........RR George Washington FCF Spring Trace
Pennsylvania-Delaware
Ministry Network
4651 Westport Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Read online: penndel.org/connexions
Editor:
Managing Editor:
Executive Presbytery
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Secretary/Treasurer
Stephen R. Tourville
Bryan Koch
Donald J. Immel
Timothy Bunney Southwest Suburban - SWS
Christopher Clark North Central West - NCW
Roland Coon Delaware - DEL
Steven DeFrain East Central - EC
Jeffrey Kettering South Central - SC
Jeff Marshall Southwest Metro - SWM
Robert Novak Greater Philadelphia Area - GPA
James Pentz North Central - NC
Randall Rhoads South Central East - SCE
Walter Smith South Central West - SCW
Allan Thorpe Northwest - NW
David Twiss Northeast - NE
General Presbyters
Stephen R. Tourville
Donald J. Immel
Bryan Koch
Volume 63 Number 1 - (USPS 165-700) is the official periodical
published quarterly by the Pennsylvaina-Delaware District Council of
the Assemblies of God. Periodical postage paid at Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania. Circulation Stands at Approximately 7,500
POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to:
Pennsylvania-Delaware District Council
4651 Westport Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-4887
Stephen R. Tourville
Carole Bongiorno
Honorary General Presbyter
Philip Bongiorno
PennDel Superintendent Emeritus
MAY
1-3...............MinistrieSummit – Monroeville AG
4..................Youth Committee Meeting
5-6...............NE Regional Teen Bible Quiz Finals
13................Kids’ Fun Arts: Harrisburg First AG, Monroeville AG,
Resurrection Life Church/Philadelphia
14................Mother’s Day
18................PennDel Charities Golf Tournament
29................Memorial Day – Ministries Center Closed

In Reaching The World
In Reaching The World
SUPERINTENDENT
Pastor Stephen Tourville, D. Min.
717.795.5921
supt@penndel.org
The Roma People
The Great Commission mandates that we “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
That task has been at the point of the spear for the Assemblies of God (AG) since its very beginning and was a
major reason the AG was founded. Those early founding fathers understood that to fulfill Jesus’ command it would
require a joint effort. No individual or local church could accomplish the evangelization of the world by themselves.
It was necessary that individuals and churches across the nation and around the world would partner together to
achieve what Jesus had in mind.
We in the PennDel Ministry Network have embraced the phrase “We’re Better Together.” In our consumer society
it would be easy to limit that concept to our personal advantage of being a part of this movement of the Spirit. The
fact is, we are “Better Together” because of the necessity of fulfilling the reason for our being. Our district mission
statement says we “exist to assist in the development of Spirit-filled leaders and ministries to their fullest potential
for the kingdom of God.” This partnership includes our mandate to reach the nations for Christ.
As a result, opportunities are provided to impact not only our own district through Home Missions and Church
Planting but also people in other global locations. This year we, as a district, are targeting a part of Eastern Europe
where the Spirit of God is working in powerful ways among the Roma people. As an ethnic minority group who are
looked down upon the majority population, these folks, whom Jesus loves and died to save, have little economic
advantages or resources. By partnering with them we can provide needed funds that will greatly add to their
already effective witness for this unreached people group.
Being “Better Together” means we can
make a difference in their part of the world.
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 3

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT
Bryan Koch
610.678.0266 ext. 224
bryankoch@gtaog.org
BEING
Missional
When we seek God and find His
purpose for our life and then begin
to live that out, we are now living
a MISSIONAL lifestyle. This not only
honors God, but it also helps to build
and expand His kingdom. Jesus’
reason for coming is and must be our
reason for being.
Jesus was missional!
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save that
which was lost.”
John 10:10, “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have
come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Matthew 20:28, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John 3:17, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn
the world, but to save the world through Him.”
It is important to remember that BEING MUST COME BEFORE DOING. As Jesus defeated Satan as he was tempting Him, He had the
experience of having God affirm who He actually was. He was now clear about His mission as the Messiah. Then it was time to
determine His strategy.
He was called to redeem and reconcile a fallen world. HIS REASON FOR COMING WAS CLEAR! The whole focus of the temptations
demonstrated the “how” of life. In the mind of God, BEING must always precede DOING!
BEING INVOLVES BEING A
PERSON OF THE WORD.
Christ modeled this for us in His life
and ministry.
We are involved in a personal, local and
global struggle with the forces of light and
darkness. IF JESUS WAS TEMPTED TO LOSE
FOCUS ON HIS REASON FOR BEING:
How much more should we be on guard?
How much more must we be grounded
in His Word?
JESUS’ REASON FOR COMING IS
OUR REASON FOR BEING.
Luke 4:14-30 gives us great insight into
the mission of Jesus. In these verses Luke
gives us amazing insight, through the
Holy Spirit, into the launching of Jesus’
ministry. The Lord had anointed Jesus
for missions!
DOING MUST COME AFTER BEING.
In Luke 4:31-32 we read, “Then he
went down to Capernaum, a town in
Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught
the people. They were amazed at
his teaching, because his words had
authority.”
Many times in the church our focus is
strictly on “being,” which, of course, is
important. But we must never forget the
importance of finding our purpose so we
can be “doing” God’s will!
In 2017, let’s focus on living a missional lifestyle so we can all “Do Missions Better Together!”
4 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

About People:
Ministers Transferring In:
Dominguez, Shirrie (Ordained)
Dominguez, David (Ordained)
Gordon, Merenda (Licensed)
Gregory, Tiffany (Certified)
Mascaro, Brian A (Licensed)
Ministers Transferring Out:
Crum, Benjamin P (Licensed)
DeLeon, Lydia I (Licensed)
Engle, Joseph (Certified)
Hammer, Tori (Licensed)
Odell, Sean (Ordained)
Twigg, Thomas (Ordained)
from PenFlorida
from PenFlorida
from Potomac
from N California/Nevada
from Southern New England
to Ohio
to Ohio
to Michigan
to PenFlorida
to Oregon
to Arizona
About Churches:
General Council Affiliated:
SkyPoint Church – Wilmington, DE
Lead Pastor – Daniel R Day
The Link Boston – Boston, MA
Lead Pastor – Dave McNaughton
District Affiliated:
Journey Life Church – Philadelphia, PA
Lead Pastor – David Dominguez
CHANGE Community Church – Oxford, PA
Lead Pastor – Elijah Hollis
Parent Affiliated:
Freedom Valley – Spring Grove, PA
Parent Church Lead Pastor – Gerry Stoltzfoos
PAC Leader – Luke Stoltzfoos
Thrive Church – Cambridge, MD
Parent Church Lead Pastor – Gerry Stoltzfoos
PAC Leader – Roger Reynolds
Transferred Churches:
Transformation AG – Oakdale, CT
Lead Pastor – Shirley B Ellis
The Link Boston
Lead Pastor – Dave McNaughton
Pastoral Transitions:
Stephen Fulkes – Trinity AG, Montoursville
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Donald J. Immel
717.795.5921
don@penndel.org
New and Upgraded Credentials:
Certified Minister
Boll, Daniel J
Cox, Brian A
Engle, Joseph B
Goodling, Duane M
Hollis, Isaiah T
Powell, James C W
Strano, Paul M
Verkerk, Landon C
Wilson, (Zachary) Davis
Credentials Reinstated
O’Brien, Timothy (Licensed)
With The Lord:
Licensed Minister
Andreola, Anthony J
Ashton, Diane M
Carse, Jon-Gregory W
DeLeon, Lydia I
Galade, Donald J
Ginther, James D
Hammer, Victoria M
Harris, Jason B
Housman, Paul F
Kane, Beth A
Manning, Thomas R
Miller, William A
Morales, Chayanne M
Munley, Timothy
Pala, David J
Pala, Elizabeth L
Pine, Nicholas A
Profetti III, Steven A
Susan B. Snyder, 87 of Red Bluff, CA, passed away Sept. 10, 2016. Susan was born
in Ansonia, PA and was a graduate of Wellsboro Area High School, Wellsboro, and
Zion Bible Institute, located in East Providence, RI. Susan married James L. Snyder
and together they served as missionaries to the Colorado River Indian Reservation
in Poston, AZ. Susan and her husband James served as lead pastors of Glad Tidings
AG, Clearfield.
David W. Olshevski, 80, of Greenville, PA went home to be with the Lord on
November 29, 2016. He was born in Quakertown and attended Eastern Bible
Institute/University of Valley Forge where he met Janis Lucik. They were married
in 1956, and served our PennDel District as “The Evangelizers” (music ministry),
lead pastor of Spring Glen and Penn Hills, evangelists, and serving our churches and
ministers for over 23 years as a representative for Brotherhood Mutual Insurance
Agency. He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Janis.
Lillian A. Halvorsen, 86, wife of the late Carl Halvorsen, went to meet her Lord and
Savior on December 5, 2016. Lillian was born in Scranton and graduated from Valley
Forge University in 1954 and was a certified minister with the General Council of the
Assemblies of God. Lillian accompanied Carl in marriage and ministry for over 53 years
serving the following PennDel churches: Bangor, Columbia and Calvary Temple, York.
Walter A. Stuart, 91, went to his Heavenly Home on January 6, 2017. He and his
first wife, the late Lois Mary (Wheatly) Stuart, were married in 1946 in Pennsville,
NJ. Mrs. Stuart died in 2006. He married his second wife, Marian Elizabeth (Sheaffer)
Douglas Stuart, on April 14, 2007. Following his graduation from Eastern Bible Institute/University
of Valley Forge, he served in various churches. Prior to retiring in 1994,
Walt served as the lead pastor of Calvary AG, Waynesboro, for 22 years. Following his
retirement, he continued to serve the church as a visitation pastor. He was an active
ordained minister for over 50 years. He is survived by his wife, Marian.
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 5

Better Together In Missions:
Developing Intercultural
Partnerships
MISSIONS TRIPS are by nature exciting — foreign
countries, different cultures, unfamiliar languages, new food
experiences, not to mention travel. Other than the jet lag,
missions trips are invigorating! Missions trips are also, by
nature, heart wrenching. The lostness of the lost, no matter
where they are found, tugs at the deepest recesses of our
spirit. Additionally, the physical and economic conditions
that we sometimes see elicit feelings of empathy, and we
want to show compassion as a result. This is the setting of
missions. Last fall, a small group from our Network went to
Slovakia to explore what the Lord is doing among the Roma
people, and what partnerships might be developed. Here are
a few thoughts from our team:
“Today we spent the day visiting several villages with the Roma. The first two
villages are likely the most impoverished areas I’ve ever seen. We were invited
into one family’s home, where we were served refreshments and heard their
testimonies of coming to Christ, and the difference that has made. One man
confessed that he was a gambler, drinker, and cheated on his wife. But all that
has changed since coming to the Lord.
The third village we visited (Kendice pronounced “Cendetza”) is the proposed
site for a satellite church. It is located just outside of a Roma village. The mayor
has been helpful to the church (very unusual for a Slovak to treat a Roma well)
because of the observable difference in the people who are coming to faith
in Christ. In fact, we had an afternoon service in the city hall – loaned by the
mayor for that purpose. We prayed on the site before the afternoon meeting.
After a celebration in worship, the Roma people fed us with meat platters
and desserts. Once again, it is difficult to receive such kindness which costs so
much to people of humble means.”
Don Immel
“On one hand, there is a heart
wrenching aspect of poverty
where kids barely have
clothing to wear during the
cold winter months, where
bathing in a trash infested
stream is commonality, and
where starvation is a very
severe reality. Yet the Roma
people are some of the most
generous people I have ever
met in my life.”
Pastor Josh Koss,
Crossroads AG,
Carmichaels, PA
6 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

WORLD MISSIONS
Donald J. Immel
717.795.5921
don@penndel.org
2017 Missions Theme: The annual missions theme for
2017 is “BEYOND BORDERS.” Missions materials may be
ordered at www.agwm.com/resources.
Current Itineration: Our PennDel website has a full,
up-to-date itineration list for our PennDel missionaries during 2017.
New Missionaries Itinerating:
Ben & Jessica Bock (Europe) benjabock@gmail.com
Mike & Jess Brown (Latin America) mikendjessb@gmail.com
Tom & Brooke Harshberger (Europe) tomharshberger@gmail.com
“Something that made an impression in my life from this trip was the
hearts of the local pastors and our US appointed missionaries who are
serving there. They understand the needs that the people have and they
are working together to raise up believers and empower them to serve as
leaders. Our missionaries are working alongside of these pastors, equipping
them to do the job that God has called them to do.”
Pastor John Knudson, LifeSpring Fellowship, Lititz, PA
“The opportunity to see what God is
doing in a very different part of the world,
in a very different culture with such great
need and with such great opportunity
enlarged my vision. I was able to see the
love of God raise people up in the midst
of situations of great challenge.”
Pastor Rick Ritenour,
Bethel AG, Littlestown, PA
“Although we hear
of and see racism in
America, I have never
seen a racial divide so
severely drawn as the
one our team experienced
with the Roma
people in Slovakia.”
Christa Fowler,
Faith AG,
New Cumberland, PA
It is amazing to see firsthand what the
Lord is doing among the Roma (sometimes
referred to as “Gypsies”) in this part of
Europe. It was an honor to minister to them
and join them in worship. Our team was
truly impressed by their pastor and his
leadership gifts and pastoral heart. With the
mentoring and vision provided by Pastor
Marien, and with the obvious move of
the Holy Spirit upon the Roma people, our
team concluded that a partnership would
be appropriate and fruitful in advancing
the full gospel in Slovakia. The community
of Kendice is the focal point for the Roma
church’s next step in presenting the gospel
and growing followers of Jesus. Will you
partner with us? Plans are presently being
developed with a fabrication company that
produces “shipping container” buildings.
The pastoral leadership is in place, with a
vibrant group of believers already formed.
The land has miraculously been purchased.
Now financial resources are needed, with
construction teams forming to complete the
building once it is delivered and assembled.
Will you help us help our Roma family?
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 7

8 | Network connexions | Spring 2017
COULD THIS BE
EUROPE?

I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t
see it with my own eyes!
GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
Jim and Sherry Sabella
We were in the eastern part of Slovakia, driving in the
mountains on some very narrow and winding roads. I told
the missionary who was driving the car that the scenery
and the winding roads reminded me of my home in
Pennsylvania. He said, “this may remind you of your home,
but I’m sure you’ve never seen what you are about to see.”
We pulled off the winding narrow road onto a smaller dirt road and then into a small
village. When we got out of the car near a small wooden bridge, we quickly found
ourselves surrounded by dozens of children holding out their hands waving and asking
for candy. The village elder walked down a narrow path to meet us and welcome us
into the village. When I looked around, I knew that my missionary colleague was right.
I can only describe what I saw by saying that the living conditions were more than
below the poverty level; they were at a level that I had never seen or experienced
before. Could this be Europe?
The village was built on a hill, next to a small stream. The side of the hill facing us was
filled with garbage and trash. The stream was also filled with trash, garbage, and pieces
of metal and grocery carts. I could see that on one side of the wooden bridge women
were washing clothes, close to the bridge, children were playing among the grocery
carts and the trash that filled the stream. Just below the bridge men were dipping
five-gallon plastic buckets into the stream to get drinking water. Could this be Europe?
When we entered the village, we were met by a group of adults. One gentleman, in
particular, was missing most of his teeth and was covered with open sores. I remember
asking the village leader about the gentleman. He said that the water in the village
was polluted and it was making people ill. I met another man who told me of the night
when it rained so hard that the creek rose and poured into the village. As the water
rushed through the village, it swept his youngest daughter away. His voice cracked as
he told me the story. They never saw her again. Could this be Europe?
One person invited us into their home. Even though the walls were made of mud and
the floors dirt, the small hut was tidy and clean. A hand drawn picture hung on the
wall in the dimly lighted room. I remember the little stove sitting in the corner. I later
found out that the Roma don’t have money for wood and so they burn old furniture
that people leave along the side of the road. Most of the wood was particle board
which contains formaldehyde. When burned, the formaldehyde fumes fill the houses
and hangs in the air around the village causing people to lose their teeth and their
hair. How is this possible? One person answered, “We are Gypsies, no one cares
about us.” The village elder responded, “Jesus does.” The man smiled and shook
his head in agreement. Could this be Europe?
We stayed in that village for about 30 minutes. I prayed for people and families in their
homes. I told them that Jesus loves them, and so do we. But to be honest, it seemed
like my words about my love for them were empty and hollow. Without a doubt,
Jesus loved them; but for me to say “I love you” sounded more like a blaring gong or
clanging cymbal.
Jim and Sherry Sabella and their sons,
Philip and Jonathan, were appointed
as AGWM missionaries from the
PennDel District to Prague, Czech
Republic in 1994. Before that time
they pastored in Pennsylvania.
In 2004 they were appointed as
Assemblies of God World Missions
Area Directors for the countries
of Central Europe. Jim and Sherry
now serve as Area Director for
Southeastern Europe. The countries
in the Southeast area include Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro,
Romania, Serbia and Slovenia.
Along with their duties as area
director, Jim & Sherry are also the
founding directors of Europe’s Heart.
Their ministry focuses on those who
live on the margins of society. For
the last 6 years, Europe’s Heart has
been reaching out to and caring for
the needs of the Roma peoples of
the eastern part of Slovakia. Europe’s
Heart was highlighted in the October
6, 2013 issue of the Pentecostal
Evangel. Recently Europe’s Heart has
focused on helping to build regional
churches and centers for the Roma
people in Slovakia.
For more information you may
contact Jim directly at jim.sabella@
agmd.org. Also, you may visit the
Europe’s Heart website at:
www.europesheart.org.
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 9

On the way back to the car, the village elder told
me that a few months ago no one was a Christian in
this village, but today the whole village is filled with
believers. As we left the children waved and said in
broken English “God bless you!” We waved and said,
“God bless you!” On the ride, back to town, no one
spoke. I didn’t know what to say. I thought to myself,
could this be Europe?
Europe is filled with castles, chateaus, beautiful gardens,
lakes, and streams. Attractive cities where coffee
houses, excellent restaurants, chocolate fountains and
umbrella covered terraces abound. Tree lined streets,
snowcapped mountains, rolling hills, and quaint villages
dot the landscape. However, there is a Europe that most
people never see. A view that doesn’t make the travel
channel. There is a Europe filled with millions of people
who live on the margins of society; people without food,
clothing, adequate medical care, water or shelter. These
are the Roma people.
And yet among this darkness and despair, God is moving
in a powerful way. Thousands are coming to Christ. In
fact, there are so many Roma coming to Christ, that we
cannot keep up with what God is doing. As we pray
and seek God for His divine wisdom, we sense the Holy
Spirit speaking to us to build regional centers that will
serve as churches, compassion ministry centers, centers
for justice and training for the Roma people. We have
already completed one in Sabinov, Slovakia and now one
is desperately needed in Kandice, Slovakia.
Right now, there is an empty field in Kandice where
there will soon be a church and regional center. We have
stood in that empty field where we believe God would
want the next regional center. We have held hands in
a circle and prayed together in that field, and we are
believing for a miracle—another regional center that
would impact the whole region and beyond.
We are honored to be the mission’s
project this year because we know
that from Pennsylvania and Delaware
to the remote Roma villages
in Slovakia we are better together!
Together we can make a huge
difference in the lives of people
who have been forgotten by the
world but not forgotten by God.
10 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

In Reaching The World
In Reaching The World
penndel world missions
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 11

CONNECTINGAround the Network
Pastoral
Commissioning
Pastor Stephen & Michele Fulkes
Trinity AG, Montoursville, PA
Celebration
Mrs. Hazel Williams,
wife of the late Rev. Russell Williams,
PennDel Superintendent (1959-1978)
Sister Williams celebrated her
100th birthday Nov. 3, 2016.
For more information visit:
www.pendelcharities.org
Online or On-Campus
The University of Valley Forge
For more information visit valleyforge.edu. Contact our Office of Admissions at 800.432.8322 or admissions@valleyforge.edu.
12 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

U.S. MISSIONS
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Tom Rees
717.795.5921
tom@penndel.org
In Planting Churches
Thank you for helping plant
406 new churches in 2016, bringing
the total number of U.S. churches to
13,023 - exceeding the 13,000 mark
for the first time. Since record keeping
officially began in the AG in 1965, the
only year to reach 400 new churches
was 1982. By comparison, 326
churches were opened in 2015.
If you have any church plants in the
pipeline for this year, please email
tom@penndel.org for a New Church
Opening form.
CMN LAUNCH
Washington, DC
March 22-24, 2017
LAUNCH is a three-day event led by
current church planters and on-site mentors
blending proven principles and practical
how-to’s such as:
• Shaping vision & values
• Recruiting a team
• Raising funds
• Building awareness
• Establishing systems
Launch is for those who are planning to plant
or have recently planted a church. Spouses
are required to attend.
CMN START
UNIVERSITY OF
VALLEY FORGE
March 21-23, 2017
START encourages college students to get
involved with a church planting team.
“Not everyone is called to be a senior
pastor or lead planter, but we can help you
to find a way to use your individual gifts
to serve a new church – regardless of your
major.”
Details for these events can be found at
www.churchmultiplication.net
SPEAKERS
Friday: Joey Cullen
Philadelphia Masters
Commission
Saturday: Tom Rees
PennDel Ministry Network
Sunday: Robert Bennett
Jakes Run Assembly
WORSHIP
Saturday: Latin worship by
Front Street Community
Sunday: Redemption’s Promise
AdventureFest is a multi-church annual men’s ministry camping (tailgate
style) weekend at Agape Farm near Raystown Lake - offering us 285 secluded acres to
get our man on! It’s not a retreat, it’s not a conference, it’s more like a weekend away
with the guys spent outside with good food, big campfires, awesome music, excellent
speakers, lots of fun and adrenaline, or rest if thats what you need the most - the choice
is yours. We give you all day to do whatever you want, then when you’re whooped and
ready to settle down for the evening we eat, sing praise, and hear stories from ordinary
dudes doing extraordinary things. We have a church service on Sunday morning with
water baptisms in the lake Adventure Man-Style. We have lots of fun, but most importantly
we draw closer to God and come home better men. Prepare to experience Christ
through adventure!
Registration and
information can
be found at
www.adventuremen.org
Questions?
Call 412.515.0916, or info@
adventuremen.org
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 13

14 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

YOUTH MINISTRIES
Doug Sayers
717.795.5921
dyd@penndel.org
YOUTH ALIVE MISSIONARY
Lee Rogers
717.795.9780
lee@reachtheschool.com
reachtheschool.com • twitter.com/reachtheschool • facebook.com/reachtheschool
Spreading the “Good News”
By Lee Rogers
I was fifteen years old the first time I participated in an overseas
missions trip. I feel like I need to make a personal confession about this:
although I went on the missions trip, my own faith in God was less than
exemplary. Despite growing up in church and being involved in church
activities as a child, my own faith in God was weak and possibly nonexistent.
Yet, somehow I found myself traveling to a different country
to spread the Gospel, and I’m glad I did. Something happened to me
on that trip, something I can only describe as a deep work of the Holy
Spirit. I came back changed. The Gospel I went to spread to others also
began to grow deeper inside of me. That’s because there is something
inherently good about participating in missions trips.
Here are three ways missions trips help us:
It’s Good for Our
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
A 2009 study found that teenagers who
participate in missions trips have two lasting
positive personal results. 1 First, students involved
in missions trips are even more involved in
practicing their faith when they return. In other
words, they pray, read their Bible, attend church,
and share their faith with others even more after
the missions trip than before the missions trip.
This is good news! It confirms through research
what many of us have personally experienced—
being involved in God’s work around the world
increases the work of God’s Spirit in our hearts.
It is beneficial to us, and it is beneficial to our
youth ministries.
It’s Good for Our
BELIEF IN GOD
Secondly, researchers found that
teenagers who participate in
missions trips move forward in life
with solidified religious beliefs.
The real-world application of faith
through missions trips strengthens
a student’s belief in God. Students
participating in missions trips found
God to be closer, more personal than
students who did not participate.
This multiplies the good news! In a
generation characterized by moralistic
therapeutic deism, participating
in missions trips can be a key to
firmly cementing faith in God.
It’s Good for Our
COMMUNITY
It might seem somewhat paradoxical, but when a
student participates in a short-term missions trip it
is also beneficial to the local community. Another
study conducted in 2011 found that teenagers who
become involved in missions trips are far more likely
to volunteer and become involved in their local
communities. 2 It’s not simply that these students
like to help others in general; researchers concluded
“there is something special about the mission trip
experience itself that generates differences…” This
maximizes the good news! God cares about our local
communities as much as He cares for distant and
far away communities. If involvement in a missions
trip increases a Christian’s involvement in the local
community, that’s all the more reason to go on one.
Join us July 10-18 in Banesea, Romania for a trip that will change your relationship with God, your belief in God,
and your local community. We will join Ana and Mike Dascalescu in reaching their local community, and we would love
to have you be a part of this trip. For more details and to download an application, visit www.penndelyouth.com/aim.
1
Jenny Trinitapoli and Stephen Vaisey, “The Transformative Role of Religious Experience: The Case of Short-Term Missions,” in Social Forces 88 (January 17, 2009).
2
Kraig Beyerlein, Jenny Trinitapoli, and Gary J Adler, “The Effect of Religious Short-Term Mission Trips on Youth Civic Engagement,” Journal for the Scientific Study of
Religion 50, no. 4 (December 2011).
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 15

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
BONGIORNO CONFERENCE CENTER
George Krebs
717.795.5921
george@penndel.org
BGMC
Changing Lives
Boys and Girls
Missionary Challenge
This past October I was privileged to spend 12
days in South Africa with the National BGMC
team. While there we were able to minister in
schools, churches and a children’s camp called
Jackson’s Ridge. The highlight of the trip was
kids’ camp ministry, African style. Jackson’s
Ridge offers African children an experience
they cannot find anywhere else in their world.
Children receive a confidence course experience,
arrow and rifle range, boating, bonfire,
crafts, tremendous services, hot showers and
three meals a day. The final service, a praise
party, gives children a worship experience
and a life changing encounter with the Holy
Spirit. It cost $60 US per child and every child is
sponsored; these are the poorest of the poor.
Jackson’s Ridge is also a training center for
the training of children’s workers in Africa.
Jackson’s Ridge was started by Missionary Ed
Corbin and is now owned by the South African
Assemblies of God. This is a worthwhile investment
and will be our BGMC project for 2017.
Please consider Jackson’s Ridge for your BGMC giving this year.
2017
Saturday, May 13 th
3 Locations:
Harrisbur First AG
Harrisburg, PA
Monroeville AG
Monroeville, PA
Resurrection Life Church
Philadelphia, PA
16 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

No Doubt,
We Are Better Together for Missions
A year ago I wrote an article for this publication on what Christian missions was all about and
asked if it applied to Christians today. As I said back then, and I say now, absolutely! The need
to support the missionaries that go into the home and foreign fields to reach the lost cannot be
emphasized enough. To be effective they need our prayers, financial support, and yes, even our
service. The commitment of these three resources and the impact they have may never be known
by us, but the missionaries understand their value and see the results.
ROYAL RANGERS
Greg Scott
302.697.2313
gscott@pdrangers.org
www.pdrangers.org
As Royal Rangers we have come to learn that we accomplish more as a whole than as individuals.
We have found that we are better together. When we work together, we can accomplish much
more. No one will argue that the missionaries need our prayers and service, but they need to keep
their financial engines going as well.
Royal Rangers have always been missions minded and have financially supported missionaries.
In 2008, the Royal Rangers partnered with BGMC to raise money for missionaries and special
needs projects through a program called Master’s Toolbox. We’re better together right? The
missionaries around the world need many different kinds of “tools” to spread the gospel. Through
Master’s Toolbox, Royal Rangers have helped to meet those needs. Hard-working Royal Ranger
boys and men earn and donate money and bring it to Pow Wows, campouts, events, and other
district functions. Offerings are then sent to the national department and disbursed to missionaries. The Master’s
Toolbox has purchased generators, dug water wells, supplied pastors’ libraries, repaired churches, translated literature,
trained leaders, and held outreaches in Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Eurasia.
Since 2008, the PennDel District Royal Rangers have raised $35,427 for the Master’s Toolbox. This is in addition to the
$22,500 they have raised and contributed directly to missionaries through the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship arm
of Royal Rangers. In the last several years funding has been raised for special needs projects:
2008-PRESENT Royal Rangers
International: RRI endeavors to
implement the Rangers ministry
across the globe and to support
each international Royal Rangers
ministry with training and
resources.
2013 National Rangers Camp
in Kitengela, Kenya: This
camp brings in dozens of boys
to provide spiritual and physical
activities and is the training
center for leaders throughout
Kenya. The project was
implemented so funds could be
raised to build new facilities and
to improve on existing facilities.
2014 Sustain Hope: This
ministry provides training to
nationals in key areas around
the world (particularly in Africa)
that teach them how to become
self-sustaining. MTB funds
provided training and resources.
2015 HealthCare Ministries:
For each MTB offering box a boy
could fill with $18 could provide
dental and medical assistance to
two other kids around the world.
2017-18 MTB Project: Doug
Marsh, Director for Royal
Rangers International, says, “We
hope to accomplish three goals
in the near future: (1) provide
Royal Rangers training and
resources in Swahili, (2) equip
and build new structures at the
national Rangers training center
outside of Nairobi, Kenya, and
(3) establish the Royal Rangers
ministry in seven new nations,
we are presently in 97 nations:
Our challenge for Africa is that
you will help us plant 700 or
more African outposts.”
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the
Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age”(Matthew 28:19-20). Perhaps you can’t go yourself, but you can support the Master’s Toolbox
and help send others to go. Talk to a Royal Ranger today to find out how you can make a difference or go to BGMC.
ag.org/toolbox/ for more information. Become a part of our togetherness.
Coming
Events
in 2017:
District Leaders
Conference
Newport Assembly of God
Thompsontown Campus
Thompsontown, PA
March 31- April 1
PennDel RR
Camp Workday
Honey Grove, PA
April 8
George Washington
Chapter
FCF Spring Trace
PennDel RR Camp
Honey Grove, PA
April 28-30
PennDel RR
Camp Workday
Honey Grove, PA
June 3
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 17

WOMEN OF PURPOSE
Ruth Puleo
717.795.5921
ruth@penndelwomenofpurpose.org
penndelwomenofpurpose.org
Many Hands
One Heart
Who would imagine that in the Dominican Republic,
a popular vacation enterprise, abuse is the fourth leading cause of death
among women. They are listed as the #1 nation for “femicide” (the
killing of women) in the southern hemisphere. In a land where women
are treated as a commodity to be purchased, God has brought together
two powerful leadership teams to plan the first National Women’s
Conference featuring ministry from the US. The National Women’s
Ministry leadership of the Dominican Republic has invited the PennDel
Women of Purpose missions team to provide teaching at this conference
for women that will inspire them to believe God for great things, to
minister spiritual and emotional healing and to bring freedom to those
in bondage and fear.
As we shared the gifts and callings of our Women of Purpose team with
PennDel Missionary, Chad Nelson, it brought tears to his eyes, seeing
God’s provision for the women of the Dominican Republic. He explained
the tremendous need for leadership training in how to minister to
women who have suffered from abuse. Therefore, A Time to Heal
Beyond Survival training and materials will be donated and taught by
author, Sue Willis. Many of their women are single mothers living with
rejection and raising children in poverty. Jennie Puleo will be sharing her
story as a single mom who has experienced God’s divine provision and
protection. Missionary Chad confirmed that each of our team members
have a powerful ministry focus that fits perfectly with the needs of
Dominican women.
Without a doubt God is taking the spiritual leaders from both nations, bringing us together with one heart
and purpose to see a mighty outpouring and impartation upon the women of the Dominican Republic.
penndelwomenofpurpose.org
18 | Network connexions | Spring 2017

Missions and
GIRLS MINISTRIES
Sharon Poole
penndeldmc@yahoo.com
penndel.org/girls
Macaroni Salad
When I get together with my sisters, we enjoy creating and eating the foods that
our mother made for us as children. She was an excellent cook and our meals were
usually delicious and well loved (except for the occasional liver and peas). Now, as
adults, we like to re-create those dishes. One of my favorites is Mom’s macaroni
salad. I watched Mom make it many times. I asked questions often. And when I
finally attempted it on my own, I would phone her to make sure I was getting it
right. She was eager to help me to do it!
God is all about cultivating a taste for missions in the lives of our children. God
seldom “sends” someone into full-time MISSIONS without first allowing them to
be introduced to, encouraged in and taught MISSIONS. I translate that to mean,
God is all about introducing our children to MISSIONS.
Everyday I am to be showing, teaching, and encouraging MISSIONS to those with
whom I have influence. Everyday life is all about MISSIONS. A trip to Target is
about me seeing those around me who need Jesus. It is about creating and taking
advantage of opportunities to speak and live Jesus. It is about me sharing with
others that I value Jesus’ mission more than I do my own needs and wants.
Yes, MISSIONS is about taking Jesus to the uttermost parts of the
earth. But MISSIONS starts at home….making macaroni salad.
LOIS’S FAMOUS
MACARONI SALAD
1 pound elbow macaroni cooked
Miracle Whip
1 cup chopped celery
½ medium onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
½ cup sliced green olives
6 hard boiled eggs chopped
4-6 T. apple cider vinegar
salt to taste
Once the macaroni has been cooked
and cooled, add the Miracle Whip until
all macaroni is very moist. Add all other
ingredients and mix well. Cover and
chill. Only serve with LARGE plates…
Network connexions | Spring 2017 | 19

Pennsylvania-Delaware Ministry Network
4651 Westport Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Find us online: penndel.org
Follow us on Facebook: PennDel Ministry Network
Follow us on Twitter: #penndelag
CITYREACH NETWORK and HIS FUND:
Better together in Church Planting
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partnership with HIS Fund. With
their help, CITYREACH NETWORK
has been able to plant and establish
churches across the country to
share the hope of Jesus. Churches
have found permanent homes and
facilities in strategic cities because
of HIS Fund. Their support has an
eternal impact.”
Brian Bolt
Founder of CITYREACH NETWORK
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