There are so many other outstanding memories of 60 years of ministry in Lancaster, but I've tried to limit myself to just a few. Probably one of the most impressive signs of growth and God's blessing upon this church was the fact that in 1958 Annual Conference approved the young Lancaster congregation as a self-supporting church. This was an amazing accomplishment in only eight years, that few churches have been able to match.
In 1959, the denomination changed its name from Mennonite Brethren In Christ Church to Bible Fellowship Church to better define its doctrine and ministry. In 1972 elders were elected to replace the Official Board and in 1991 deacons were first elected.
I think one of the unique things has been our heart for missions. As a church we have always attempted to give more than a tithe of our annual budget to support missionaries. Presently about 13% of our budget goes to missions. The denomination has its own sending board and in past years it has been reported that we have supported more missionaries per denominational member than any other denomination in the country. We also are part of a unique consortium of area BFC churches that annually attempts to send out church members to the mission field and also to share in their support. Summer mission trips have often been a part of our ministry, including a major trip in 1994 when a team of 36 from our church went to Hungary to construct a water slide at a Word of Life camp in Toalmas. In 1997 a team of 12 went to Brazil to help the Millers construct a building. Others have since gone out individually or in teams, including teams to minister in North Dakota with Bill Aukamp, to West Virginia, and teams of our youth to minister to Indian tribes in North Carolina. And our Awana program annually raises thousands of dollars to support 14 clubs it has adopted around the world.
Softball has always been a means of outreach and fellowship. In the early years we played informally against a number of other area churches. But in 1973 the Lancaster County Fundamental Church Softball League was formed with leadership from our church. We have been part of that league ever since then and the church has had many successful teams. A few years ago we actually had two teams in the league. Recently our teams have even participated in state softball tournaments, one year finishing third and this year fourth. This year's team, coached by Craig Kauffman and Dennis Landis, recently won the regular season championship of the league. In 2007 our softball field was named HA Kauffman field in honor of Horace Kauffman, one of the early organizers of the league.
In 1971, Gary and Marlene Varner established a church library that has grown over the years. Later Linda Yuill served as librarian for many years and expanded the services to our church family. Today it has a great supply of books and audio and video materials for all ages. Numerous other ministries have been developed over the years, such as Marriage Savers, in response to the needs of those we minister to.
Over the years our church family has often enjoyed a week of fellowship together during the summer. In the early years many families journeyed to Allentown to attend services at Mizpah Grove. They often shared a large moving van with the York church to transport furniture, stoves, beds, and ice boxes to Mizpah. There they stayed in tents with wooden floors and enjoyed stirring music and preaching. Later, after the denomination purchased Pinebrook, they attended there staying in much more comfortable motel rooms. Some years over 120 of our adults and children spent a vacation week together there. Excellent programs for the entire family, many recreational opportunities, and guest Bible teachers and musicians make this a special week.
The ladies have annually enjoyed a time of fellowship at a weekend retreat and in recent years married couples have shared a weekend as part of Marriage Savers. Bible studies for women are now taught twice a year. Small groups meet twice a month in homes and there are now regular programs for college and career, singles, women, and men. Many attempts are made to provide for fellowship and spiritual growth in keeping with our church name and mission.
Sixty years have passed quickly and in many ways we have changed. We have grown from worshipping in a tent to modern multi-purpose buildings on a beautiful piece of property. We have gone from a single staff member to a multi-person staff. Most of our church leaders have changed. Our budget has grown to nearly one million dollars annually. Our style of worship and music have changed and our schedule of services has changed. But what hasn't changed is our desire to worship the Lord, to be true to the Word of God, to meet the varied needs of those who attend, and to reach the lost, not only in Lancaster County, but also around the world.
My prayer is, that if the Lord should tarry, 60 years from now, Faith Bible Fellowship Church, with a new generation of leaders, will continue to make this their mission. For that was the vision of the founders in 1950. Great is God's faithfulness!
Picture is of 2007 church softball team which won the league championship.
Please check in tomorrow for some more pictures and final thoughts
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