Leadership Connexion FALL 2023

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ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT | Steve DeFrain | 484.686.4843 | sdefrain@penndel.org MAKING RECALIBRATION POSSIBLE Let’s start with the definition of recalibrate – to reexamine (one’s thinking, a plan, a system of value, etc.) and correct it according to a new understanding or purpose. I can tell you that we had to reexamine our thinking, plans and systems many times in thirty-eight years at Morning Star. God often surprises us with a new understanding, strategy and purpose. So how do we make recalibration possible in our church or ministry? ASK GOD WHAT’S NEXT? I’m thankful for conferences, seminars, breakout sessions and peer conversations. But they don’t always bring us what we need. We need our time with God. God said to Jeremiah, “Have any of these prophets been in the Lord’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?” (Jeremiah 23:18/NLT) At Morning Star, we had a space created for moms to nurse their babies on Sunday mornings. It had leather couches and rocking chairs. It was a nice room. During the week, it became my space to get into God’s presence and hear what He had to say. Unlike the prophets in Jeremiah’s day - I cared enough to listen. I know I need to hear his voice above every other. I can’t afford to waste much time doing just good ideas. I want my life to count, so I spend the most time getting God’s thoughts that will bring a new understanding and purpose. CREATE A CULTURE OF CHANGE We had a pretty healthy culture of change at Morning Star. There weren’t very many things that were held on for too long. One of the last significant events we started at Morning Star was the Tim Tebow – Night to Shine. Which was a prom night experience for people with special needs ages fourteen and older. It was a huge success. We had over 300 volunteers and over 200 guests by the second year. It was a blast for everyone! But, I drove Liz crazy because I kept asking her, “How many more Nights to Shine do we need to do? We did it! It was wonderful for everyone. I’m ready to move on.” I remember saying to Jesus, “Jesus, I love you, but I hate Christmas.” We were doing so many activities during December, and I was exhausted. I remember the day I gathered the team and said we are not leaving this room until we have killed three events. We killed the Christmas Musical, the Christmas Dinner and the New Year’s Eve Celebration. It was one of the best days of my life. TAKE ACTION Once you know it’s God, take action. I’ve said, “Nothing much will happen until you get out of the boat.” Many people stopped at this point because they became paralyzed by fear. They let the “what if” overtake them. What if people get mad? What if people leave? What if people hate it? A few people said the following Christmas, “I miss the Christmas Musical.” “My first connection to the church was at the Christmas Dinner.” By the second year, everyone moved on and was good. I love Jesus, and I love Christmas! Make sure you join us this fall at THRIVE as we continue the Recalibration conversation. 4 Earn a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership Church Revitalization from University of Valley Forge. Experienced faculty includes Dr. Don Immel, our Network Superintendent. 30% discount available for PennDel credential holders • Penndel.org/UVF
WITH THE LORD: JOSEPH VITELLO, 91, passed away on January 24. He is survived by his wife, Barbara. Together they served in PennDel as Evangelists to many of our churches. They were also PennDel missionaries serving throughout the region of Europe with AGWM. PARK W. BENNER, 90, passed away on January 31. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence. Together they were lead pastors at the following PennDel churches: Ickesburg, Marietta, Conshohocken, Beaver Falls, Latrobe, Moosic and Wellsboro. Park was also the head cook at our District Kids Kamps in Cherry Tree, PA (Living Waters Campground). JAY MILES, 69, passed away on April 1. He is survived by his wife, Victoria. Together they were lead pastors at the following PennDel Churches: Carbondale and Green Lane. They were also on staff as Children’s Pastors at Pennsburg. ROGER J. RAKON, 93, passed away on April 7. He is survived by his faithful wife, Sara, with whom he has shared his life and ministry these past sixtyfive years. Together, Roger and Sara pastored the following churches in PennDel: Kane, Bradenville and Valley Grove, WV. Roger was the oldest Lead Pastor in PennDel, serving at Valley Grove for fiftyseven years. GLEN A. YUNGHANS, 62, passed away on April 13. He is survived by his wife, Sharon. Their ministry in PennDel was as Lead Pastor in Aliquippa and Staff Pastor in Philadelphia, Dover, DE, Wyoming, DE and Mt. Morris. MAXINE W. LOCKETT, 92, passed away on June 4. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee. Together, they pastored the following PennDel churches prior to their retirement in 1990: Altoona, Carbondale, Philipsburg, Norristown, Northern Cambria, Wrightsville and Bausman. CHARLES CEDENO, 72, passed away on June 6. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy. Together, they pastored in Pottstown for over thirty years. ROBERT S. HARRIS, 91, passed away on June 7. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian. Together, they pastored the following PennDel churches: Lansdale, Altoona and Shrewsbury. He was a Board Member of H.I.S. Fund (Heritage Investment Services) for over forty years. THANK YOU for each generous donation given to the PennDel Ministry Network. These donations provide the help needed with our ministries and in sharing the love of Jesus throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware! Our MyPennDel online giving option is the simplest and easiest way to donate to our PennDel sponsored ministries: my.penndel.org. Effective September 1, 2023, our office will no longer automatically send out monthly statements to our churches, ministers and contributors. All monthly statements will be sent to the email address we have on file, unless you notify our office that you prefer the hardcopy with return envelope: rhonda@penndel.org or 717.795.5921 ext. 219 We will continue to provide bi-annual statements in the following months: • Mid-January: all individual contributors will receive their total giving receipts for the previous year. • Mid-July: All PennDel Credential holders will receive a statement for their tithe/credential fees (Jan-June). We are pleased to welcome Rev. Ben Grenier as our new Dean of the PennDel School of Ministry (PDSOM). Pastor Ben has been ordained since 2016 and is currently the Lead Pastor of REAL Church in Brookhaven, PA. We are excited for the vision God has given Pastor Ben for the direction of PDSOM and ask for your continued prayers and support to help this ministry grow! FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: penndelsom.org OR CONTACT: Barb Jacobs: Email: bjacobs@penndelsom.org Phone: 724-689-3929 Abigail Redding: Email: abigail.redding@penndelsom.org Phone: 717-795-5921 ext. 229 SAVE THE DATE! THE CALL: A Retreat for Discerning the Call of God on your life. Who can attend? The Call is for anyone who feels called to ministry or is seeking clarity on their life’s purpose. This retreat will provide you with valuable insights and guidance. We are thrilled to announce that PDSOM will be launching an exciting new initiative – Satellite Campuses! Please visit penndelsom.org for details. December 1 & 2, 2023 • Bongiorno Conference Center For more information: penndelsom.org SECRETARY/TREASURER | Jeff Marshall | 717.795.5921 | jeff@penndel.org LEADERSHIPconnexion | Fall 2023 5
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Page 21 and 22: THE NEW ROYAL RANGERS The Best Boys
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Leadership Connexion FALL 2023

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