WELL DONE, BAINBRIDGE
Tim Landis pastor of our Bainbridge congregation in Lancaster County, PA invited me to preach on November 25 for the concluding service in a year-long celebration of their 175th anniversary. Once again we resurrected John Winebrenner, wearing black tails and a white tight neck shirt to portray the founder. It worked out well as we were already in PA for our family Thanksgiving holiday. As we drove down the River Road below Middletown, I wondered how many times Winebrenner must have traveled the same highway, but on a packed earth surface not macadam. Along the way I saw an old mill that still stood vacant along the road. I’m certain JW would have looked upon it in his day and possibly even stopped there to refresh his horse. We zoomed past.
The village of Bainbridge is now a quiet by-passed town. In its heyday along the main road and the Susquehanna River Canal, it was quite different, but as history has it, not of the best reputation. It was the truck stop of its day. The Winebrennarians held camp meetings in the neighborhood and preached the Church of God gospel on the street corners of the bustling town. Not far away is Reich’s Meeting House where, in the great revival of 1858, so many people were converted that the Church of God in Maytown was organized. Linda and I had the privilege to serve at Maytown from 1973-1979. It was our first full-time assignment where we learned so much. As newlyweds and green to ministry, the people treated us with much love and patience. Merv and “Tibby” Arnold became like another set of grandparents, and Merv was the best elder any young pastor could ever hope for. So, when Tim invited us, the yes response came easily. To return to Lancaster County and visit the area of our first ministry is always a pleasure.
The Churches of God are well represented in Lancaster County’s northwest corner, especially when the churches at Elizabethtown and Mt Joy are included. At one point we also had congregations in Rowena and Marietta, but no more. The Bainbridge bethel is located on the main street in the center of town. Over the years the congregation bought neighboring properties as they became available, so that they have sufficient parking and educational space. The church under Tim’s leadership recently developed a strategic plan to expand ministry and the present facility. They are currently in process of raising the funds necessary to initiate the project. We found the sanctuary to be well maintained and the congregation very welcoming. Having worked with Tim and the leadership in the past I am confident that when the time is right they will be ready to build.
The Bainbridge Sanctuary
The real key to church health and growth is not property but rather visionary leadership committed to the great commission. This requires the pastor and people to see the needs of their community, feel the pain of those needs and commit to do what it takes to meet those needs. That was the essence of my anniversary message from Matthew 9:36, 37 entitled WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?). This is the challenge for every church no matter how big or small or wherever located. Bainbridge began back in 1832 and continues today because of its commitment to share the gospel with its community. It represents many of our longer established churches. Those like Bainbridge that reach out and strive to expand their witness will thrive, but those that don’t will die.
Well done Bainbridge and congratulations on your 175 years of faithful witness.
Pastor Ed
NOTE: In our writing there will always be the possibility of errors. I just don’t always remember correctly or have all the facts. I beg your indulgence and ask that you give me a call or email me when a correction is needed.
SEARCHING FOR A NEW CGGC DIRECTOR OF CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Greetings to everybody across the General Conference
I trust your celebration of Christ’s advent is going well and that your church and community are responding well to the gospel proclamation of Luke 2:10-12. Christmas is the number one time (even more than Easter) when unchurched people are most open to the gospel. So, through your various activities and services I pray that the light of Christ may shine upon all who come. I urge us all as shepherds to be intentional in our welcome and follow-up to this seasonal visitation so that not one potential lamb may be lost.
I am specifically writing to ask for your prayers as we begin the search for a new Director of Church Development at the CGGC office. The committee (David Green, Mary Lehman, Bob Stephenson and I) met recently to lay out the process. Our first phase will be to identify potential persons for this position by March 1st. You can help here too. If you or someone you know would consider God’s call to this work, please contact Dave Green (see below) and he will send out an invitation and information packet. The next phase will be to receive applications from those who choose to respond to the invitation. After that the committee will prayerfully and carefully consider each candidate in order to discern the Lord’s leading and identify the person to be selected. So, pray for the committee, possible names to submit and for the selection process.
If you have questions or anything you think might help in the search process, feel free to contact me by phone or mail (email too). Have a blessed Christmas and thanks for your prayerful support in our search process. Godspeed!
Pastor Ed Rosenberry
Executive Director, CGGC
(419) 424-1961
director@cggc.org
Pastor David Green
700 East Melrose Avenue
P.O. Box 1132
Findlay, Ohio 45839
(419) 423-7694
glcdirector@cggc.org
CORRECTIONS
In our last eNews (12-4-2007) we misidentified our Second Decatur church facility (clearly visible on the sign) as being our West Decatur bethel. Apologies to both congregations. Thanks for the correction. I’m learning. ELR
We also heard from Phil Wilson of Fort Scott who says, "I really enjoy the newsletters they help keep us connected. On Nov. 30 and the next newsletter you mentioned George Constant. George is my wife's uncle. Georges dad's name is John Constant. John and Ruth Constant started several churches in the Decatur area. He started the Elm Grove Church of God. I started attending there at the age of 3. So the ministry that God has placed me in goes back to John Constant. I would love to tell you more about how God has done this it is an awesome story. Elm Grove was the tap root for the New Beginnings Church."
CATALYST UPDATE
It is with excited praise and humble gratefulness that we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the rebuilding efforts after the Findlay flooding in August! Alison and I have faced our youngest having severe skin problems and bleeding over the last six months which have finally been narrowed to an egg allergy, the devastation and rebuilding from the flood, and recently an accident where Alison rolled our van in an ice storm. Finally, this week we are able to take a few minutes to breathe and start to enjoy the Christmas season. Along with that, God’s grace has seen the successful rebuilding of the church, some much needed healing in our daughter, and some much needed rebuilding of our relationship from the chaos.
November 11th, The Catalyst Church moved back into their downtown location. The facility is much improved and customized to our needs. Our children’s zone has been redesigned with a fresh vision from our Children’s Ministry Coordinator. We now have bright rooms, exciting learning toys, and plans to build a stage and seating area to use worship and drama for “single value” teaching. Children will experience group worship and have a single value define the lessons each month. We are excited for the new dynamic model and the tools and equipment provided by all the support.
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Flooded Children's Zone
New Children's Zone
Our hospitality and main gathering areas have a “café” feel to them, and have already drawn people to the building early for coffee and social time, as well as staying up to an hour after service just chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Community is definitely a theme!
Coffee Bar
Gathering Area
Sound, Multimedia, and Music teams all are greatly improved with new tools, instruments, and equipment that will reach the “techno” and “audiophiles” as well as the non-musical/non-techno savvy alike.
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Flooded Worship Area
New Worship Area
Most importantly, we have seen a gradual return of some of the momentum we had before the flood. People have returned to worship, excited to invite friends. Our Leadership Team is getting well established now, and our Planning and Teaching Teams have been re-started. Two members of the Teaching Team are heavily involved in the Christmas Series currently, and all of them will be preaching in our series on our Core Values at the start of 2008.
We would like to specifically thank the following for the support and encouragement that has completely restored our financial losses and helped us to regain the physical ground lost during the flood:
| Hopewell Church of God |
| United Community Church of God |
| Wharton Church of God |
| Bernie and Kathy Harman |
| Rising Sun First Church of God |
| Timberlake Church of God |
| Barbara Crispin |
| Lillyville Church of God |
| Great Lakes Foundation |
| Salem Church of God |
| Homeacres/Pathway Church of God |
| First Presbyterian Of Braodalbin |
| Second Church of God - Decatur, IL |
| CG - Women's Ministries |
| Doubling Gap Church of God |
| Mrs. A Redmond |
| Samuel J. Jackling |
| Neptune Church of God |
| Mt. Joy Church of God |
| Burlin Argotsinger |
| Rick and Marybeth Streifert |
| 1st Evangelical UCC – Lima |
| Arthur Center Church of God |
| College First Church of God |
| Impact World Tour |
| Gamerco Church of God |
| Anonymous |
| Caring Community Church |
| LifeHouse - VanWert |
| Mt Tabor Church of God |
| Hanover First Church of God |
| Janet Ommert |
| West Newton Church of God |
| Sarah Kent |
| Fenstermakers |
| Indian Head Church of God |
| Bowmansdale Church of God |
| Latrobe First Church of God |
We apologize if anyone has not been included, and we have personal thank you letters still going out to all those who have helped. May God bless each of you for your faithfulness and action to continue the ministry and the building of God’s Kingdom!
All our Love and Thanks,
Nate and Alison Buck
And The Leadership of The Catalyst Church
www.thecatalystchurch.com
