2025 Annual Conference Minutes – BFC Historical Society

BFC Conference Proceedings – 2025

Minutes, as well as Committee Reports, Indexes, and Statistics are in the 2025 Yearbook

First meeting

Monday, April 28, 2025, 1:30 P.M.

The 142^nd Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church was called to order by Conference Moderator Daniel L. Williams at 1:30 p.m. in Pinebrook Bible Conference’s Fellowship Hall.

Williams cited Ephesians 4 and read Romans 15:1-2, where the focus is on unity and humility, as a guiding principle for what will take place over the next three days, and then prayed for God’s guidance on the proceedings to follow.

The Conference Moderator announced the following appointments:

Timekeeper: Mark. L. Morrison

Registrar: Joel B. Klase

Assistant Registrar: Jules J. Hull III

Parliamentarian: Randall A. Grossman

Committee on Minutes of the 142^nd BFC Conference: Joshua P. Gibson, Philip G. Norris, Thomas P. Shorb, Richard E. Taylor, R. Daniel Wagner. Because of a fall that resulted in a significant injury, Taylor is unable to fulfill his role.

Committee on Resolutions: Brad L. Boyer, Daniel Z. Krall, Michael C. Meadows.

Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.

Report of the Registrar:

Resolved, that the roll of eligible members of the 142^nd BFC Conference constitute the Conference Bar for the 142^nd BFC Conference.

The roll of the 142^nd BFC Conference was established as follows:

Allentown, PA (Cedar Crest) Jason L. Hoy, Adam K. Crain, Jules J. Hull III, Christopher M. Von Holt, Nathan G. Trommler

(Probationer), Scott Allen, David L. Tress, Rick D. Whitmire

Allentown, PA (Citylight) Stephen A. Diaz, Richard L. Dobrowolski (Probationer), Michael Whiteford

Bethlehem, PA R. Scott Wright, Jeremy L. Harkins, Michael J. Notary, Swannie W. Griffin III, Travis Schanely, Joshua Von Holt

Blandon, PA Daniel L. Williams, R. Jerry Brush, Brad D. Kunkle

Boyertown, PA Andrew J. Vasel (Probationer), Lucas Parsons

Breinigsville, PA Benjamin J. Triestman, John E. Schleicher

Brick, NJ L. Marc Sweet, Edwin Ramos

Camden, DE R. Daniel Wagner, Albert F. Biddle, Jr.

Cape May Court House, NJ Brad L. Boyer, Michael Polach

Carmel, NY (Vacant)

Clinton Corners, NY (Vacant), Wayne M. Chadwell

Coopersburg, PA Peter C. Bogert (Probationer), Jacob B. Dearmon (Probationer), David E. Speel

Dauphin, PA Mark E. Barninger, Scott Bogdon

Denville, NJ Daniel A. Cali (Probationer), Steven Kay

Emmaus, PA David A. Smith, Jared M. Burkholder, Scott A. Hoffman

Ephrata, PA Daniel Z. Krall, David J. Parsons (Probationer), Benjamin C. Ross (Probationer), Anthony Iezzi

Exeter, PA William A. Burton III, Shawn McAnulty

Finesville, NJ Brandon D. Olbrys (Probationer)

Forks, PA Timothy M. Zuck, Greg Swigart

Gettysburg, PA John J. Hanner, R. Edward Snyder-Ritter

Graterford, PA Mark R. Orton, Geoffrey Sobeck

Harleysville, PA Andrew T. Crossgrove, Michael W. Walker, Andrew J. Miller, B.K. Roberts

Harmony, NJ Richard J. Paquette (Probationer), Robert W. Burnett

Harrisburg, PA (Grace BFC) Joshua P. Miller, Andrew W. Barnes, Steven J. DelDuco, Richard Prensner

Harrisburg, PA (Grace Fellowship) (Vacant), Jayonn C. Folks

Hatfield, PA Joel B. Klase, Harold K. Schoonover

Hellertown, PA Keith A. Strunk, Dwayne Kemmerer

Kutztown, PA Sandy J. Holbert (Probationer), Doug Steffy

LaGrangeville, NY Interim Evan T. Climpson

Lancaster, PA (Christ Alone)* Juan Carlos Morales, Wayne Cooley

Lancaster, PA (Faith BFC) Keith M. Long, Neil J. Franklin, Jr., William C. Verdon II, Nathaniel A. Miller (Probationer), Joseph A. Kim

Las Cruces, NM David M. Poland

Lebanon, PA Jarrod J. Cruise, Eric E. Herb, Jr. (Probationer), Eric Herb, Sr.

Lehighton, PA Robert A. Johnson II, Steven Ramos

Long Neck, DE Richard F. Bickings, Tom Lioy

Merida, MEXICO Marcos G. Ramirez

Mt. Carmel, PA Roger L. Siegrist, A. Mark Cassel

Mt. Pocono, PA James L. Farver (Probationer), Ronald E. Miller

Nazareth, PA John P. Sullivan (Probationer), James W. Preslar

Newark, DE Andrew R. Hebel, Jonathan Limm (Probationer), David Bradford, Kenneth J. Klein

Newark, NJ Ron Burgess, Melvin Hinton

Oley, PA Scott A. Allison, Christian D. Lefko (Probationer), Todd Heath, Timothy Spacek

Paradise, PA Jesse A. Benack, Daniel J. Eckman

Philadelphia, PA Ralph E. Ritter

Piscataway, NJ (Interim), Ryan Beauchea, Jerry Shan

Quakertown, PA Ronald L. Kohl, Robert E. Smith

Reading, PA (Grace BFC) Randall A. Grossman, Greg Fairbanks, Timothy G. Faust

Reading, PA (La Roca) Carlos G. Rodriguez, Luis Beltran, Vladimir L. Caba, Alexis Ramirez

Red Hill, PA Michael C. Meadows, J. Rob Vaughn

Royersford, PA Daniel W. King, Michael Gangwer

Shamokin, PA Ferdie R. Madara

Sinking Spring, PA S. Wayne Rissmiller, Paul Harvey, Donald D. McKinney, Donald M. Eenigenburg, Timothy P. Stump, John R.

Weller

Spring City, PA Jeffrey A. Kauffman, Sean P. McNamara

Stroudsburg, PA Beau E. Coffman, Eddie Coover

Sunbury, PA Joshua P. Gibson, Douglas A. Gaugler

Terre Hill, PA Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, Andrew S. Littlejohn

Topton, PA Daniel J. Hoffstetter, Larry Davies, Steven K. Myers (Probationer)

Townsend, DE (Vacant)

W. Norriton, PA (Redeemer) (Vacant), Rodger Eastman

Wallingford, PA Aaron J. Susek, Mark A. Bickel, Mark E. Kessler

Walnutport, PA Aaron D. Smith, Jason P. Musselman

Whitehall, PA Timothy J. Schmoyer, Daryl A. Crawford (Probationer), Philip E. Yerrington, Mark Hargrove

Woodbury Heights, NJ Timothy R. Nessler, Harry Nessler

York, PA Wesley H. Bunting, Kenneth L. Good

Zionsville, PA Benenz J. Hitchcock (Probationer), Jim Pruitt

*Contingent upon their graduation as a particular church at this Conference

Ordained Ministers Serving in Bible Fellowship Ministries:

BFC Executive Director — David T. Allen

Conference Pastor — Ralph M. Soper

Church Extension — David E. Gundrum (Director), Raymond R. Bertolet, Freddy A. Chi, Joshua P. Dupiche, Jason A. Filbert, Tracy D. Haines (Probationer), Mark L. Morrison, Stephen J. Morton, Timothy S. Radcliff, James D. Reff

Board of Missions — James D. MacArthur (Director)

Ordained Missionaries:

Scott B. Evans, James D. Head, D.B.H., Daniel Istrate, Walter M. Johnston, Jerry L. Moyer, David W. Riddell, John C. Studenroth

Ordained Ministers Working in the Chaplaincy Under the Sponsorship of the BFC:

Ezekiel R. Mack, Jacob J. Susek, Jr.

Ordained Ministers Working in Other Christian Ministries:

Timothy J. Bertolet, Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr., David E. Brandt, Kevin W. Clineff, William J. Dunn, Jordan K. Eyster

Ordained Ministers in Retirement or on Permanent Disability:

William C. Aukamp, Delbert R. Baker II, Kenneth F. Barber, Clifford B. Boone, Leonard E. Buck, Dennis M. Cahill, G. Wayne Clapier, Charles E. Cole, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Jr., Richard C. Dodson, Bruce A. Ellingson, Ronald C. Erb, Glenn R. Felty, Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Richard J. Gehman, Richard D. Harris, LeRoy S. Heller, John H. Herb, Ronald W. Hoyle, David H. Jones, W. Scott Kappes, Donald E. Kuntzman, Dennis J. Lawrence, Francis E. Lenahan, John R. LoRusso, Ronald C. Mahurin, David L. Manney, Philip E. Morrison, Duane E. Moyer, Richard A. Moyer, Philip G. Norris, Richard T. Paashaus (acting as delegate for Finesville, NJ), Barry T. Parsons, Keith E. Plows, Thomas A. Pollock, Louis Prontnicki, Richard B. Ravis, Calvin T. Reed, Roger L. Reitz, Jeffrey L. Ruhl, David K. Schlonecker, William G. Schlonecker, David N. Schoen, Thomas P. Shorb, Robert A. Sloan, Jr., Gene W. Smith, Ronald B. Smith, Dennis W. Spinney, Michael J. Tannous, Richard E. Taylor, Gregory A. Uhrich, John C. Vandegriff, Jr., David R. Way, Dana E. Weller, Howard N. Wells, Byron Widger, Paul G. Zimmerman.

Ordained Ministers Between Calls:

Timothy S. Hogan, Carl T. Martin, Thomas H. Morrison.

Additional Lay Members of the BFC Executive Board:

Gary E. Karch, Ronald W. Reed, L. James Roberts, Byron D. Roth, John W. Sullivan II, William J. Walters.

The following first-time delegates were introduced to Conference:

Scott J. Bogdon, Dauphin, PA; Robert W. Burnett, Harmony, NJ; A. Mark Cassel, Mt. Carmel, PA; Greg Fairbanks, Reading; Eric Herb Sr., Lebanon, PA; Dwayne Kemmerer, Hellertown, PA; Christian D. Lefko, Oley, PA; Jon Limm, Newark, DE; Nathanael Miller, Lancaster, PA; Steven K. Myers, Topton, PA; Brandon D. Olbrys, Finesville, NJ; David J. Parsons, Ephrata, PA; Edwin Ramos, Brick, NJ; B. K. Roberts, Harleysville, PA; Travis Schanely, Bethlehem, PA; Geoffrey Sobeck, Graterford, PA; Nathan G. Trommler, Allentown, PA.

Report of the Committee on Agenda & Arrangements: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the proposed agenda for the 142^nd BFC Conference be accepted as the guide for our deliberations.

Resolved, that the Registrar be authorized to seat alternate delegates as required during the Conference and report them to Conference in his report at the conclusion of Conference.

Resolved, that the 143^rd BFC Conference be held at a site and date to be determined.

Resolved, that committee reports for the 143^rd BFC Conference be sent in digital format to the BFC Conference Secretary by February 15, 2026 at sportspastor33@gmail.com.

Conference Secretary Ronald L. Kohl appointed Timothy S. Radcliff as Assistant Secretary and Samuel Janney and Shawn Rohrbach as Assistants to the Secretary.

Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.

Pinebrook Bible Conference site director Richard B. Brewer and Spruce Lake/Pinebrook’s Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Gehman officially welcomed the pastors and delegates to Pinebrook Bible Conference. Gehman succeeded Mark Swartley as CEO in January, 2025.

Resolved, that all minutes of the 141^st BFC Conference be approved.

Report of the Conference Judicatory: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Randall A. Grossman read the report, noting that for the first time, the Conference Judicatory was called upon to preside over a trial. “As far as the judicatory is concerned, we’re satisfied that we’ve done our duty and that the matter is closed, and that we’re ready to move on,” he concluded.

Report of the Nominating Committee

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

The following were elected to boards or committees:

BFC Executive Board (ministers):

Steven J. DelDuco (3 years)

Daniel L. Williams (3 years)

BFC Executive Board (elders):

L. James Roberts Jr. (3 years)

Byron D. Roth (3 years)

Ministerial Relations Committee (ministers):

Randall A. Grossman (3 years)

Committee on Nominations (ministers):

R. Daniel Wagner (3 years)

Committee on Nominations (laypersons):

Jill Davidson (3 years)

Special Appellate Judicatory (ministers):

Daniel Z. Krall (3 years)

R. Scott Wright (3 years)

Special Appellate Judicatory (elders):

Ken Lord (3 years)

Ronald Miller (3 years)

Officers of the 143^rd BFC Conference

Secretary

Ronald L. Kohl (1 year)

Daniel W. King prayed for the elections to be held on Tuesday.

Report of the Ministerial Credentials Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended ordination for James L. Farver Jr., Tracy D. Haines, Eric E. Herb Jr., and Sandy H. Holbert, and

Whereas, the Ministerial Candidate Committee has recommended Richard L. Dobrowolski for recognition of previous ordination, and

Whereas, these brothers have served acceptably asministers of the Bible Fellowship Church for the required period of time or the equivalent thereof, and

Whereas, after examination, the Ministerial Credentials Committee believes these mento be called of God to the gospel ministry and to be in accord with the Faith & Order of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it

Resolved, that James L. Farver Jr., Tracy D. Haines, Eric E. Herb Jr., and Sandy H. Holbert be ordained to the gospel ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church, and that Richard L. Dobrowolski be recommended for recognition of previous ordination.

Resolved, that an Ordination Service be held at the 142^ndBFC Conference, and be it further

Resolved, that Pocono Mountain Bible Fellowship Church, Mt. Pocono, PA, Grace Community Bible Fellowship Church, Chestertown, MD, Lebanon Bible Fellowship Church, Lebanon, PA, and Kutztown Bible Fellowship Church, Kutztown, PAbe encouraged to hold services in recognition of the ordinations of James L. Farver Jr., Tracy D. Haines, Eric E. Herb Jr., and Sandy H. Holbert, respectively, and that the Citylight Bible Fellowship Church, Allentown, PA, be encouraged to hold a service in recognition of previous ordination for Richard L. Dobrowolski and that each church be encouraged to invite the Ministerial Credentials Committee to send representation to be present at these services.

Report of the Ministerial Candidate Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that the list of men under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee be approved.

The following men who are under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee introduced themselves to Conference:

Peter C. Bogert, Coopersburg, PA; Daniel A. Cali, Denville, NJ; Richard L. Dobrowolski, Allentown, PA; James L. Farver Jr., Mt. Pocono, PA; Eric E. Herb Jr., Lebanon, PA: Benenz J. Hitchcock, Zionsville, PA; Sandy H. Holbert, Kutztown, PA; Christian D. Lefko, Oley, PA; Jonathan Limm, Newark, DE; Nathanael A. Miller, Lancaster, PA; Steven K. Myers, Topton, PA; Brandon D. Olbrys, Finesville, NJ; Richard J. Paquette, Harmony, NJ; David J. Parsons, Ephrata, PA; Nathan G. Trommler, Allentown, PA; Andrew J. Vasel, Boyertown, PA; Joshua P. Von Holt, Bethlehem, PA.

Michael W. Walker of the Prayer Committee led the pastors, delegates, and guests in a time of corporate prayer, using passages from Philippians 1 and 2 as a guide.

Following the afternoon break and citing excerpts from Psalm 66, the Moderator allotted time for pastors and delegates to share praiseworthy stories from our respective churches. After prayer, Conference turned to musical worship as David Pooler of New Life BFC in Oley, PA, with the capable assistance of musicians Thomas Heath, Steven K. Myers, Aaron Susek, and Kevin Weber, led the pastors, delegates, and guests in the singing of “How Firm a Foundation,” “His Mercy is More,” and “There is One Gospel.”

The keynote address, “Unity under the Word of God,” was delivered by Jason L. Hoy of Cedar Crest BFC, Allentown, PA. His text was Matthew 15:1-9. Hoy noted that he had been asked to preach a sermon he had preached a few months before at Cedar Crest BFC. Referring to that sermon, he said, “There is nothing more that I hate than getting the text wrong. We must be precise in the handling of God’s Word.”

True unity, Hoy said, will only come if we submit ourselves to the teaching of the Word of God. As such, if we as a denomination wish to remain unified, we must reject man-made traditions “in our lives and in our preaching, and we must be on the lookout for it in our people.”

“Sinners do not need outward religious ritual based on man’s teaching,” he stressed. They need regeneration by the Spirit of God through the Word of God.

In dealing with a text that sees Jesus engage in battle with the Pharisees and scribes over the matter of ceremonial hand-washing – in which he accuses them of actually violating the Fifth Commandment (the honoring of parents) for the sake of their traditions, Hoy asked himself the following questions: What is true Christian unity? Do I deeply desire it for my church and for my denomination? “If we do, how do we get there? How do we make it a reality?

Man-made traditions, he argued, can be deeply-rooted in a church. “Don’t be surprised if somebody comes against you for breaking religious tradition,” he said.

In the case of ceremonial washing, what may have begun as a practice that sought to maintain purity before God had devolved into a terrible burden that “became external, outward, ritualistic” – when what was truly needed was a new heart. “Before you knew it, the traditions of man became just as important as the commandments of God – and this is what divided them right down the middle with our Lord Jesus Christ,” Hoy explained.

“They made it all external, and before you know it, this is what a hypocrite and a legalist do: they make it external and they equate that with justification and sanctification,” he said. “You can become saved by washing your hands – and all the while, your heart is filthy.”

Hypocrisy and legalism, he said, always seem to go together, and the end result is that the gospel takes on lesser importance. “May we never diminish our Savior – who He is and His work on the cross,” Hoy said. “Him alone. Make much of Him!”

A legalist, he said, is a person who thinks outward rituals will make him right with God. Hoy urged Conference to be on the lookout for “man-made religions” that major on legalism and externalism: the kind that say, as the church in Rome says, “God’s truth is found in the Bible, but also in the traditions of the church.”

Jesus explicitly condemns instances where professing Christians nullify the Word of God because they value their traditions more, where they allege commitments to Scripture but don’t worship from the heart, and focus on outward appearance rather than inward piety. “Lord, help us to preach the true gospel,” Hoy said. “Help us to avoid any external performance…let’s loathe legalism. That diminishes the beauty of the Lord and His gospel.”

The Jesus of Scripture – the only Jesus there is – is the Jesus who taught both truth and unity, and so we must urge both as well. “What are we united around if we are not united around Him and His truth?” Hoy said.

“Unity matters to our Lord,” he noted. “We have to care deeply about it because He cares deeply about it.”

Citing key biblical texts on unity (1 Corinthians 1:10; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 2:2; Ephesians 4:3), Hoy said our unity must be “according to the commands of the Lord. We must live under this Book – and no other.”

Article 1 of the Articles of Faith – The Holy Scriptures – is the article “which drives the rest of our Articles,” Hoy said. “We also have to strive for biblical wisdom and discernment where we should be united and where we might have minor disagreements that we can actually share as a denomination…In the majority of our Lord’s clear commands, we should be unified. And then in the small amount of Scripture which is less clear, we can have liberty of belief and loving disagreement.”

The Moderator allotted 10 minutes at the close of the session for a time of silent “prayerful confession” in the light of the Word that had just been preached.

Conference adjourned for dinner at 4:43 p.m. as Carlos G. Rodriguez led in prayer.

Second meeting

Monday, April 28, 2025, 6:45 P.M.

The evening session was called to order by the Moderator at 6:45 p.m. Vice Moderator Steven J. DelDuco opened the meeting in prayer. David Pooler and ensemble led Conference in the singing of “Come, Thou Fount” before David T. Allen, Executive Director of the Bible Fellowship Church, addressed Conference on “The Blessing of Unity.”

Allen addressed the purpose, core values, mission, and vision that united the Bible Fellowship Church as a fellowship of churches. In terms of vision, he said, churches need to have a vision of the future that is better than the present. Churches that are focused on mission and vision, Allen said, “Are less likely to squabble among ourselves.”

“When the focus is forward, the distractions around us become less significant,” he stressed.

Psalm 133, a brief Psalm of Ascent, was the text upon which Allen anchored his message. Its initial words offer a strong call to being unified: “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

“As Christians, we are on our way up. We may feel down, but we’re on our way up,” Allen said. “These psalms are an encouragement to us on the way.”

Allen said the Hebrew word translated “behold” appears 1326 times in the Old Testament. Its use ought to draw our attention to something; that “something” is unity. “It is the real characteristic of real saints, therefore do not fail to inspect it,” Charles Haddon Spurgeon said back in the 19^th Century.

Using Hebrew terminology, Allen pointed to words meaning “together” and “alike” to draw the conclusion that unity equals togetherness. “Unity is when we all get along, when we’re together, like a family,” he said.

Allen pointed out the differences between husbands and wives – using himself and his spouse as an example – to note that unity and uniformity are not the same thing. “A church united for years in earnest service of the Lord is a well of goodness and joy for all those who dwell around it,” he said, noting that the Bible Fellowship Church’s 142 years of existence speaks to that strength.

Unity is not only good, the Psalmist says in Psalm 133:1; it’s also pleasant. Different notes, played in unity with each other by a talented orchestra, produce good music.

The Hebrew word for “pleasant” can describe rows of corn planted in an orderly fashion so that, placed in neat rows, each plant receives the nourishment it needs to thrive. It also speaks to the sweetness of honey to the taste. Disharmony, by contrast, is not a pleasant experience.

In Psalm 133, David provides two analogies to help his readers grasp the preciousness of unity; he compared unity to precious oil which, poured on the head, runs down the beard, and the dew of Mount Hermon, which provides moisture for the mountains around Jerusalem. Olive oil in ancient times was used in lieu of bathing and was seen as a cooling refreshment to the man to whom it was applied. When applied, its fragrance is easily observable; in like fashion, so is our unity.

Mt. Hermon, a peak of over 9,000 feet, is often snow-capped; melting snows and the dew from Mt. Hermon provides the water necessary for life for most of Israel. “Unity is like that. It filters down,” Allen said. “In unity there is life, and there is life more abundantly.”

“We’re a fellowship of churches. We’re not a loose fellowship; we’re a denomination,” Allen said. “We stand as one on issues that are delineated in the Faith & Order.” Forms, he added, may vary from church to church, but together in Christ, we function together. “We are united, and we stand as one,” he said.

Following the sermon, Conference celebrated the Lord’s Supper as administered by William G. Schlonecker and Robert A. Sloan, Jr. Schlonecker introduced the Communion service as lingering “just for a bit” in the Lord’s presence by together remembering Christ’s death through the elements of the bread and the cup. Pages distributed the elements and Schlonecker provided biblical instructions from 1 Corinthians 11.

In preparation, Schlonecker pointed to three elements: the element of commemoration or remembrance, the element of consecration, and the element of celebration.

Commemoration – “Do this in remembrance of Me,” Jesus declared in establishing this ordinance.

Consecration – “We are to live in lavish gratitude for God’s abundant grace,” Schlonecker said.

Celebration – We look forward to Christ’s return, and in so doing, with the slate of our sins having been wiped clean, “We are reveling in the great goodness of God,” Schlonecker said.

Sloan, in administering the cup, pointed out how shocked and confused the disciples must have been when, after supper, Jesus took the cup and said, “This is the new covenant in My blood.” The third cup, as faithful Jews observed Passover, was known as the cup of redemption.

He noted that, according to 1 Corinthians 10, participating in the same cup is a strong display of our unity as Christians. “We are the body of Jesus Christ in this world, and we celebrate that moment every time we take the cup…symbolizing [our] unity in Christ,” Sloan said.

Report of Church Extension Ministries: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

David E. Gundrum, Director of Church Extension Ministries, spoke of the ongoing role of the Bible Fellowship Church in planting new churches, with the emphasis on the newest Particular Church, Christ Alone Fellowship of Lancaster, PA.

Mark L. Morrison, who has worked with Gundrum in Church Extension Ministries for the past 20 years, hails from Lancaster, PA – the same city that now calls Christ Alone Fellowship home. Christ Alone Fellowship, he said, started with a center that followed prayer walks around parts of Lancaster as well as other early efforts.

“It doesn’t always come overnight,” Morrison noted, pointing to the 20 years that eventually resulted in the establishment of Christ Alone Fellowship.

Gundrum said that this is Church Extension’s 75^th anniversary – “its diamond jubilee year,” he said. He identified several new church planting projects, many of them daughter churches being planted by existing BFC churches. Church Extension Ministries, he added, has also been tasked with “connectional” church planting – working with non-BFC churches that express desire in becoming BFC churches.

His focus then turned to the work that started several years ago in Lancaster, PA, which now boasts multiple services attended by 250-300 people on a weekly basis.

The following resolution for receiving Christ Alone Fellowship of Lancaster, PA as a new Particular Church was introduced:

Whereas, the Board of Church Extension Ministries has assessed the elder candidates and has reviewed the financial reports of the Christ Alone Mission Church, Lancaster PA, and

Whereas, Church Extension Ministries affirms that the Christ Alone Mission Church, Lancaster PA, has sufficient men qualified to be elders as well as a sufficient committed participant group who will sign as charter members, and

Whereas, the financial reports of Christ Alone Mission Church, Lancaster PA, have been reviewed, and it was determined that Christ Alone Mission Church, Lancaster PA, is financially self-supporting, therefore be it

Resolved, that Christ Alone Mission Church, Lancaster PA, be received into the BFC Conference, and be recognized as a Particular Church.

Approval of the above resolution was signified by a standing ovation, welcoming Christ Alone Fellowship into the BFC as its newest Particular church.

Juan Carlos “Los” Morales, founding pastor of Christ Alone Fellowship, provided a thumbnail sketch of how the Bible Fellowship Church’s new Particular Church came into being. He used PowerPoint slides and short videos to highlight the progress that started in 2019 and even earlier, resulting in Christ Alone Fellowship’s founding and establishment.

Morales told of his own introduction to Reformed theology and ultimately to the BFC, leading to conversations about planting a city church in Lancaster. He rattled off the names of several BFC pastors and other servants who played key roles in bringing the gospel – and a BFC church – to inner-city Lancaster. He also pointed out how a “Meet the Church Planter” event showed him how strong the support was from within the BFC. “It was all just support and excitement to see what the Lord was going to do in our city,” he said.

God used a podcast in mighty ways, drawing listeners from as far away as Japan. Over the course of its planting, facility needs kept increasing, and the Lord kept providing both space and transitional elders, and even the onset of COVID-19 provided opportunities in times of difficulty. He said, “Expositional preaching saved us during COVID,” he said, noting that his response to those who wished the church to address “woke” issues was to keep preaching from the Gospel of John.

“We stayed steady because we stayed with the Word of God,” he said, noting that Christ Alone Fellowship was even able to participate in a 2020 missions trip to the Dominican Republic – in the midst of COVID.

Christ Alone Fellowship purchased its current location last May. “We can fit a lot of the people in the building now,” Morales said, noting that the church is holding two services each Sunday and is rapidly outgrowing its present building. “The Lord provided. He kept providing everything we needed. And the churches stepped in. You stepped in.”

“God has given us way more than we could imagine,” he explained.

A musical worship team from Christ Alone Fellowship led Conference in the singing of “In Christ Alone” and “His Mercy is More.”

A large contingent from Christ Alone Fellowship was present to celebrate this milestone in the life of the newest BFC Particular Church.

The evening session concluded with a prayer offered by William G. Schlonecker at 8:35 p.m. A reception in honor of Christ Alone Fellowship followed in Pinebrook’s Fellowship Hall.

Third meeting

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 8:45 A.M.

The Tuesday morning session of the 142^nd BFC Conference was called to order by the Conference Moderator at 8:45 a.m. Daniel L. Williams declared it to be “Elder-Delegate Appreciation Tuesday,” highlighting the essential role that elders serve in our churches – and elder delegates fill at BFC Conference. “We commend you brothers and we love you in the Lord.” He read 1 Peter 5:1-5 as a supporting text. Swannie W. Griffin III, elder-delegate at Ebenezer BFC in Bethlehem, PA, opened the meeting with prayer.

David Pooler and accompanying musicians then led in the singing of “You’ve Already Won,” “Rock of Ages,” and “In Christ Alone.”

James D. MacArthur, Director of the BFC Board of Missions, wearing garb common to Indonesia, where he formerly served as a missionary alongside his wife Trudi, addressed Conference on “Unity in Fulfilling Our Mission(s) to Make Disciples.”

He pointed to the Great Commission in Matthew 28. “From Matthew we must realize that the directive didn’t stop with making individual disciples,” he said. The language is one of discipling ethnic groups of people. “So our directive from the King of kings is to make disciples of the nations, of all peoples,” MacArthur said.

Life change, he noted, must begin at the heart level and is produced by the Holy Spirit working through Scripture. “As Christians and as churches, we live under the authority of the Bible,” MacArthur said. “Destroy this book and our faith is nothing. We have nothing to trust…we help people grow by bringing them under the Word of God.”

His text was Ephesians 4, which describes how spiritual maturity is cultivated. “I believe this is at the heart of the discipleship process,” MacArthur said. Paul’s two years in Ephesus involved preaching salvation and loving those who came to saving faith in Christ.

As Paul had many coworkers who assisted him in his ministry of planting churches, we are to partner in ministry with others of like mind. “I believe from this text, we see the importance of teamwork in growing the church: brothers and sisters working together.”

Ephesians 4:1 urges us “to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” What is that calling? First, it is to be “in Christ.” Second, we are to be holy and blameless. MacArthur turned to the text and its plea for humility, gentleness, patience, and bearing with one another in love. These are consistent marks of what biblical unity looks like. “You put the Word of God out there,” MacArthur noted. “You give them truth, but then you have to give time to God, letting Him do the work in their lives.”

MacArthur gave reasons why we should be eager to pursue this ministry of discipleship. The fact that it is a work of God should propel us to action. Second, just as there is a unity that exists in the Trinity, we need to remind ourselves that we are one body. “There’s a one-ness that exists, and we are eager to maintain it.”

Ultimately, we should pursue unity because it’s what Jesus wants for His people. “Don’t you want to do what Jesus wants you to do?” MacArthur asked. “You don’t have to overthink it – do it!”

Spiritual maturity is the end result, and there is a unity in discipling people to maturity. It’s a doctrinal, theological maturity, but also one that works itself out in practical ways in the lives of people. “Here’s my point,” MacArthur said. “Understanding the riches of being in Christ, we are to work together as one, even with our diverse gifting, to build mature disciples of Christ.”

This unity based on spiritual maturity, MacArthur said, is akin to words heard at the end of a wedding ceremony: “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Brothers, what God has joined together, let no one break apart!”

Dennis W. Spinney of the Prayer Committee led Conference in a time of concerted prayer as guided by Revelation 3:22 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Conference was instructed to respond in prayer to however the Spirit has been speaking and ministering to its individual members.

After the morning break, Mark Hargrove, delegate at Whitehall (PA) BFC, prayed for God’s guidance upon the next reports and discussions.

Report of the Executive Board: (see page)

David T. Allen expressed his thanks to the Bible Fellowship Church for allowing him to continue to serve in his capacity as Executive Director of the Bible Fellowship Church.

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

The Executive Director stressed the importance of each church keeping accurate records and having them readily available. Each church’s by-laws should include a volunteer/program participant agreement and a statement that reads, “We abhor child abuse, and if we receive information of abuse, we will report it, and/or, we waive the privilege of confidentiality.”

Philip E. Morrison provided details on how important child protection policies are to each church and to the integrity and safety of the BFC. “Your policies will provide protection for you, for you are no longer a ‘soft target,’” Morrison said, noting that he has a three-hour seminar that he is willing to present to any church that seeks his counsel in developing policies for churches.

Allen also drew Conference’s attention back to the six BFCON 150 goals (see the Report of the Executive Board) that are helping to provide direction and denominational goals from now up to the 150^th BFC Conference.

He also announced that David E. Gundrum will be officially retiring after 25 years as the Director of Church Extension Ministries at year’s end (though he will continue to serve in a part-time capacity as “Director of Development and Expansion”). Allen said applications are currently being sought for the next Director of Church Extension Ministries.

Clifford B. Boone stepped forward to provide a short explanation of a concerted BFC vision to adopt the Sandawe, an unreached people group of about 40,000 people spread over 32 villages in north-central Tanzania. What began with the vision of a single church, Cedar Crest BFC of Allentown, PA, expanded to the involvement of several BFC churches as Boone and several others worked among the Sandawe over the span of several years. Church-building among the Sandawe, he said, has taken on a life of its own as the Holy Spirit works among this people group.

Boone explained that the number of churches among the Sandawe is nearing 20. “Now the gospel is there, the Spirit of God is working, and they’re multiplying in ways that we don’t even know. We praise the Lord,” he said. “When we fellowship together in evangelism and in reaching the unreached – missions – a lot of our differences fade away because…we’re in this to reach people with the gospel.”

The sixth and final BFCON 150 focus point, “Expanded ministry opportunities for children and youth in evangelism in discipleship,” led Allen to speak of how Victory Valley Camp is filled to overflowing, so the Bible Fellowship Church is in negotiations with a nearby ministry, Milford Park Bible Camp, as a possible future site for BFC day-camp and other ministries. “We hope to consummate an agreement by this fall,” Allen said.

Resolved, that the 2025 revised BFC Executive Board budget be adopted by the 142^nd BFC Conference.

Resolved, that an assessment rate of two (2.0) percent be adopted by the 142^nd BFC Conference for 2026 (based on assessable receipts from 2024).

Resolved, that the 2026 proposed Executive Board budget be adopted by the 142^nd BFC Conference.

The Executive Board recommended the following resolutions pertaining to the Ministers Retirement Fund (MRF):

Whereas, the MRF annuity rate for 2025 is $221 per year of service, and

Whereas, cost-of-living adjustments no longer apply to MRF payments, therefore be it

Resolved, that the MRF annuity rate for calendar year 2026 be $221 per year of service.

Resolution Relating to Rental/Housing Allowances for Retired or Disabled Ministers of this Conference for Calendar Year 2026:

Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has, and functions through, Ministers of the Gospel who are duly ordained or licensed, and

Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers, and

Whereas, pensions paid to retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers of The Bible Fellowship Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service, and

Whereas, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized that The Bible Fellowship Church is the appropriate organization to designate a housing/rental allowance for retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers who are members of this Conference, therefore be it

Resolved,

1. An amount equal to 100% of the pension payments received during the year of 2026 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church Minister’s Retirement Fund.

2. This rental/housing allowance shall apply to each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister who has been granted the retired relationship or placed on disability leave by the BFC Conference and whose name and relationship to the conference is recorded in the Yearbook of BFC Conference and in other appropriate records maintained by the conference.

3. The pension payment to which this rental/housing allowance applies shall be the pension payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, BFC Conference or institution of The Bible Fellowship Church or of any former denomination that is now a part of The Bible Fellowship Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension funds of The Bible Fellowship Church for such retired minister’s pension.

Note: The rental/housing allowance which may be excluded from a minister’s gross income is limited to the lesser of (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the minister’s employer or other appropriate body, (2) the amount actually expended by the minister to provide his housing, or (3) the legally-determined fair rental value of the parsonage or other housing provided. As specified in Rev. Rul. 71-290 C.B. 92, “the only amount that will qualify for exclusion under section 107(2) of the Code as a ‘rental allowance’ is an amount equal to the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances such as a garage, plus the cost of utilities.”

The Bible Fellowship Church Executive Board has recognized that credentialed BFC pastors who were not members of the MRF at the time when the MRF was closed, but still receive pension benefits that were paid by their church into a 403(b) Retirement Plan, should be able to receive the same recognition as those who receive pension benefits under the MRF.

Whereas, the religious denomination known as The Bible Fellowship Church has, and functions through, Ministers of the Gospel who are duly ordained or licensed, and

Whereas, the practice of The Bible Fellowship Church is to provide a parsonage or a rental allowance as part of the gross compensation for each of its active ordained or licensed ministers, and

Whereas, contributions paid to an authorized 403(b) plan for the benefit of retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers of The Bible Fellowship Church are considered as deferred compensation and are paid to said retired and disabled ordained or licensed ministers in consideration of previous, active service, and

Resolved,

1. An amount equal to 100% of the proceeds drawn from a 403(b) plan during the year of 2026 be and is hereby designated as a rental/housing allowance for each retired and disabled ordained or licensed minister of The Bible Fellowship Church who is or was a member of the Bible Fellowship Church.

3. The pension payment to which this rental/housing allowance applies shall be considered the pension payment resulting from all service of such retired or disabled ordained or licensed minister from all employment by any local church, BFC Conference or institution of The Bible Fellowship Church or of any former denomination that is now a part of The Bible Fellowship Church, or from any other employer who employed the minister to perform services related to the ministry and who elected to make contributions to the pension funds of The Bible Fellowship Church for such retired minister’s pension.

After lengthy discussion on a piece of proposed First Reading legislation – without a vote being taken – the Moderator opted to adjourn for lunch.

Byron D. Roth, an elder from Ebenezer BFC (Bethlehem, PA) who serves on the BFC Executive Board, prayed as Conference adjourned for lunch at 12:25 p.m.

Fourth meeting

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1:30 P.M.

Conference Moderator Daniel L. Williams called the pastors and delegates back to order for the Tuesday afternoon meeting at 1:30 p.m. Ronald W. Reed, an elder-delegate from Grace BFC, Reading, PA, prayed at the start of the session.

The First Reading legislation considered just prior to lunch was withdrawn by the Executive Board, which had introduced it.

Elections were conducted electronically. Results appear later in the account of this meeting.

In something new to BFC Conference, the first of two panel discussions focused on the topic of “Building Unity within Your Church.” Conference Secretary Ronald L. Kohl served as moderator while the panel included Calvin T. Reed, William G. Schlonecker, Robert A. Sloan Jr., and Daniel L. Williams.

Here are a few highlights of the discussion:

What are some of the marks of a unified church? Schlonecker: Unified leadership – “So much so that it is obvious to the congregation that there is unity of leadership.” He used passages in Ephesians 4 and Romans that speak of the weaker brother being upheld and helped.
Have you experienced a lack of unity in leadership in your ministry? Reed: We have been blessed [at Lebanon BFC] with a good spirit of unity, but unity is not unanimity. We don’t always agree on every detail,” he said, citing the challenge of COVID-19. “We were not all in agreement on the wisest course of action, but we were unified,” he said. “Everyone supported the final decisions that were made.” He noted humility as an essential characteristic of unity.
How did coming through periods of disunity help you to learn and to grow as a pastor? Schlonecker: “We had unity, not uniformity, by listening closely to one another, taking time to pray individually, and continuing the conversation at a later time. Pastors and elders can build up trust and confidence with the congregation over time.”
During a church merger, how did you maintain unity through the stress of a church merger? Williams, who pastored a period of transition as Fleetwood BFC merged with Trinity BFC, Blandon, said, he learned “patience with brothers and sisters when they had not arrived at where we think they should. It takes time, patience, and willingness to walk together” – According to Amos 3:3, which states, “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?”
Asked for biblical texts that have helped these pastors understand what unity should look like in a church, Ephesians 5 (seeing the church as the Bride of Christ), Philippians 2:1-11, and the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis were noted. Reed: “Marriage is an example of the relationship of Christ and the church. There needs to be a real commitment to know God – that can heal and restore relationships, just like in a marriage.”
Schlonecker suggested that a pastor earns respect with his congregation by shepherding them in love and being authentic with them.
What advice do you have for a pastor or elder going through a time of disunity? Williams said it’s important for pastors and elders to know they are not alone. He advised pastors to reach out to brothers in other BFC churches. “Talk to the Lord and talk to your brothers in Christ,” he stressed.
What are some practical ways to build unity in your church? Schlonecker: “One way to cultivate unity is by getting people involved. As each one does his or her part, the body is built up to unity. Equipping and involving your people can help bring unity as they serve each other.”
What are some of the biggest threats to unity in the church? Several of the panelists addressed this matter. Reed said that oftentimes pastors are a threat to their own church’s unity. He said, “We must guard our own hearts and be humble.” Another threat, Williams said, is compromising on essential doctrines. Not while at the same time recognizing and maintaining the right priorities. “What are important matters but not ones that are worth breaking fellowship over?” he said.
Asked how to navigate the “sacred cows” that many churches hold dear, Sloan urged patience. “Never surprise your elders or even your people,” he said. “Explain to people when you are considering a change and then do it slowly when dealing with ‘sacred cows.’”
Another question involved political differences of opinion that exist in every congregation. Schlonecker said he considers social media “a huge threat to unity, especially in the world of politics. I would never put a bumper sticker on my car or a sign in my yard because those things can instantly shut down conversation with a whole group of individuals. It is possible to talk about a particular [political] issue, but we should never be a church of one party or candidate.”
“You don’t have to swing at every pitch,” Williams said of our response when people in our congregation ask us to take political stands. “You can listen without taking action at times.” We need to go back to Scripture and remind ourselves that ultimately we are citizens of heaven and exiles in this current life.

Consideration of Legislation at First Reading

The following proposed pieces of legislation were considered for adoption at First Reading:

Article 511-1.7 (3), Youth and Young Adult Committee, Purpose

Whereas, the Youth and Young Adults Committee does not feel the current purpose statement is specific enough in supporting the local church ministries, and

Whereas, the Youth and Young Adults Committee desires to serve the local church ministries more effectively and practically, therefore be it

Resolved, that we adopt the following resolution, replacing current purpose statement 511-1.7 (3):

Purpose: The Youth and Young Adults Committee exists to glorify and honor God primarily by equipping churches to effectively reach and disciple students and young adults for Christ. This includes (1) training leaders, (2) providing relevant insights and trends in culture, (3) hosting discipleship and outreach events, and (4) promoting unity among the churches.

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 148; No – 0.

Article 511-1.7 (6), Prayer Committee, Composition and Election

Whereas, the composition of the BFC Prayer Committee as specified in the Principles of Order currently states, “(1) The BFC Prayer Committee shall be composed of four ministers and three laypersons. Laypersons must be members in good standing at a BFC church,” and

Whereas, it also states that, “(3) No member of the committee may serve more than two consecutive terms. A member may be elected to a new term after a minimum of one year’s time following two consecutive terms,” and

Whereas, the Committee has found it difficult to find laypersons who are both passionate about prayer and are able/willing to serve on the committee, and

Whereas, the current composition of the committee consists of six ministers and two laypersons, and

Whereas, the Committee is seeking to undertake two separate Days of Prayer (North and South) and needs more members in order to facilitate the Days of Prayer effectively, therefore be it

Resolved, that 511-1.7 (6), under “Composition and Election” be changed to the

following:

(1) The BFC Prayer Committee shall be composed of members in good standing of a BFC church.

(2) The committee shall elect its own members, subject to the ratification of the BFC Executive Board.

(3) No member of the committee may serve more than two consecutive terms. A member may be elected to a new term after a minimum of one year’s time following two consecutive terms.

(4) The members of the committee shall be elected for a term of three years.

(5) The committee shall organize itself at the call of the chairman of the previous year, at which time new officers shall be elected.

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 157; No – 1.

Prayer Committee finances/treasurer

Whereas, the BFC Office has adequate personnel to effectively administrate the finances of the Prayer Committee, and the BFC Executive Board prefers to have the BFC Office administrate such funds of the BFC Committees; and

Whereas, the duties of the Prayer Committee’s treasurer have been absorbed by the BFC office for the past few years, therefore be it

Resolved, that the BFC Prayer Committee no longer be required to have a member serve

in the role of treasurer, and that the Committee will have sufficient communication with the BFC office in regards to the administration of funds.

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 157; No – 0.

Resolved, that David T. Allen be ratified to a three-year term as Executive Director of the Bible Fellowship Church.

Report of the Board of Church Health: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Robert A. Sloan, Jr., Interim Director of the Board of Church Health, reminded Conference that he is the interim director. He offered an explanation of the role of Church Health. “Our purpose is to come alongside and help” churches that are struggling, he said. The means by which they do so is, in part, to look for “flags” that indicate a church is encountering difficulties: attendance trends, number of elders, etc.” The goal, he said, is to see a resurgence of the church. Sometimes, Sloan said, an outside consultant can be helpful in restoring a church to health. “Sometimes it’s just helpful to have someone come along to give you a fresh glimpse of what you’re doing,” he noted.

“We’re here to help. We’re not here to threaten,” Sloan said.

The following were elected to boards and committees:

Ministerial Credentials Committee (ministers):

Keith A. Strunk (3 years)

Keith M. Long (3 years)

Ministerial Candidate Committee (ministers):

Andrew W. Barnes (3 years)

Wesley H. Bunting (3 years)

Ministerial Relations Committee (elders):

Ronald W. Reed (3 years)

Conference Judicatory (elders):

Donald McKinney (3 years)

Officers of the 143^rd BFC Conference

Moderator

Randall A. Grossman (1 year)

Following the afternoon break, Mark E. Kessler, an elder-delegate from Grace BFC, Wallingford, PA, prayed for the discussions to follow.

Reports from Study Committees

Study Committee to Examine Articles 24-27: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Timothy J. Bertolet noted that the committee examined several possible options in terms of legislation that the committee could present to BFC Conference. He added, “No one on the committee came with an agenda. Let’s determine what’s best for the denomination.”

This committee seeks to gauge Conference’s pulse on the direction it is hoping to take, leading to proposals it would recommend for prospective changes to the Articles of Faith at the 143^rd BFC Conference in 2026.

Resolved, that Conference instructs the Study Committee on the Millennium to continue its work. And be it further

Resolved, that Conference encourages the committee to bring to the 2026 BFC Conference proposed changes to the Articles of Faith consistent with the sentiments of the committee’s 2025 report.

Conference, by a hand vote, affirmed the committee’s resolutions

The committee hopes to host a one-day mini-conference of some kind later in 2025 and asks pastors to invite interested elders and other laypersons to hear their research and engage in discussion with the issues at hand.

Study Committee on Abortion: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted. The committee, reconstituted in the past year, hopes to present a full report at the 143^rd BFC Conference.

Resolved, that Philip E. Morrison and Gregory Tuke be ratified as new members of the committee.

Committee to Review BPLs: (see page)

The committee presented resolutions to form two new study committees as part of its mandate, as given by the 136^th BFC Conference, to review our current Biblical Principles for Living (BPLs) and offer any appropriate adjustments.

Resolved, that the BFC Conference appoint a committee to examine Article 104-3 – Civil Government, and prepare a statement on the issue of Christ’s church and national politics by considering the following questions:

How does nationalism/patriotism function in view of Christ’s love for the world and His present/coming kingdom?
How can leaders in Christ’s church address and promote biblical conduct regarding political issues without polarizing the body of Christ?

By hand vote, the motion passed.

Resolved, that the BFC Conference appoint a committee to re-examine its statement on Stewardship (104-1) by considering the following questions:

What should be the church’s position with regard to climate change, its causes, and cures?
Are current environmental concerns consistent with the biblical concept of human stewardship of the earth and its resources?
Should the church express environmental concerns? If so, to what extent?

The motion passed by hand vote by a 79-50 count.

Whereas, the Study Committee to Examine the BPLs has completed its assignment as given by the 136^th BFC Conference, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank the members of the committee for their service and declare the committee to be dissolved.

Consideration of Petitions from churches and Requests from Boards of Elders

Petition from Ebenezer BFC, Bethlehem: (see page)

Resolved, that the petition be received.

Be it Resolved, that Article 701-4 be modified to require all churches to provide a vote either for or against the resolution, and as such, the 2/3 count is from the churches that provide the vote.

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 116; No – 43.

Board of Missions report: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

James D. MacArthur, Director of the BFC Board of Missions, provided a thumbnail sketches of the BFC’s history with respect to missions. “I would say that missions has been at the center of the Bible Fellowship Church throughout its history,” MacArthur said.

MacArthur also pointed to the Great Commission in Matthew 28. “I’m not a rocket scientist…but I think the King wants us to carry out His mission to all nations.” He then pointed to a Global Status of Evangelical Christianity map that highlights where the unreached people groups are located.

The following missionaries were present to greet BFC Conference as evidences of the BFC’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission:

Lisa Barnshaw, Christar; Bill Early, Trans World Radio; Walt Johnston, Coalition of Christian Outreach (CCO), working with grad students and international students at Penn State University; Gary Shogren, World Venture, professor at ESEPA Bible college & seminary in Costa Rica; John & Laura Studenroth, collegiate outreach ministry, primarily at Kutztown University.

Craig Miller and John Hoover, two longtime BFC missionaries, were promoted to glory in the past year; MacArthur asked for prayers of comfort for their widows.

Sean P. McNamara, an elder-delegate at Faith BFC, Spring City, PA and Chairman of the Board of Missions, closed the afternoon session with prayer at 5 p.m.

Prior to Conference breaking for dinner, pastors attended a meeting of the BFC Beneficiary Society.

Fifth meeting

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 7 P.M.

David Pooler called Conference’s annual service of ordination to order at 7 p.m. by leading in the singing of “My Worth is Not in What I Own (At the Cross).”

Jesse A. Benack read 2 Timothy 3:16-4:5 and then prayed for the ordination service. Ordination vows were given to James L. Farver Jr., Tracy D. Haines, Eric E. Herb Jr., and Sandy H. Holbert while Richard L. Dobrowolski had his previous ordination recognized by the Bible Fellowship Church.

Jason L. Hoy presented the candidates and R. Scott Wright gave the charge to the ordinands from the above text, noting that Paul’s words to his protégé Timothy serve as “a reminder of our calling and the responsibility that we have.”

While Wright spoke of the overarching ministry calling of the pastor, his primary focus was on faithfulness to the Word of God – to preaching, teaching, administering, and applying the Bible to all areas of ministry. Paul’s words to Timothy are as sound and as necessary now as they were when they were written: “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

“It is not about you and your words. It’s not about your personality. You are seed-sowers. So sow the seed and preach the Word!” Wright stressed.

“Do you trust in the sufficiency of this Word as you preach it and proclaim it?” he added.

A pastor’s calling, he reminded the candidates, is all-encompassing. “We’re always on duty…we’re 24-7. Some people get to leave their job and go home; you don’t…we’re always ready.”

Keith M. Long administered the vows of ordination. Members of the Ministerial Credentials Committee laid hands on each of the candidates and prayed for them. Keith A. Strunk gave the pronouncement or ordination and greeted the newly-ordained pastors.

Conference and guests sang “Take My Life and Let It Be” as a closing hymn. Ralph M. Soper gave the benediction at 7:55 p.m., whereupon the ordained ministers of the BFC greeted each new BFC pastor.

A reception in honor of these newly-ordained men followed in Pinebrook’s Fellowship Hall.

Sixth meeting

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 8:45 A.M.

The Wednesday morning session of the 142^nd BFC Conference was called to order at 8:45 a.m. by the Conference Moderator, who read Psalm 33:1-5. “Brothers, we are part of a rare fellowship,” Daniel L. Williams said. “What we share is rare.”

David A. Smith prayed, especially remembering Ronald W. Reed, who had to leave Conference early due to injuries suffered in a fall.

David Pooler led Conference in the singing of “There is One Gospel,” “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me,” and “All Glory be to Christ.” Before the morning sermon, a short video on church planting in the BFC, and the many BFC churches planted in the past 75 years, was shown to Conference. During his 25 years as Director of Church Extension Ministries, David E. Gundrum oversaw the establishing of 19 BFC churches – so far. “We need to keep reaching people with the gospel and planting Bible Fellowship Churches,” he said, accenting the concept of “churches planting churches.”

After his introductory focus on church planting, Gundrum spoke on “Unity in Making Disciples.” His text was 1 Peter 3:8-12. “I call this message ‘The fuel for unity,’” Gundrum said, noting the many participles that appear in the text.

In Romans 12, the apostle Paul calls his readers to have “renewed minds.” Gundrum said, “Our ongoing transformation of being made in the image of Christ as a result of the renewing of our minds…is the answer to the question, ‘What is theology doing for us?’ Is it bringing us closer to an understanding of God and His will for us?”

Unity in the church is to boil over into the world, Gundrum said, as a fulfillment of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer – “so that the world may believe that You [God the Father] sent Me [God the Son].”

The foundational quality for unity, Gundrum stressed, is submissiveness. “I don’t know if we can have unity if we don’t have submissiveness to each other and to the Lord,” Gundrum explained.

First Peter 3 also reminds us of our marching orders to bless others. Gundrum provided this quote from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “Nothing so impresses the world [as] when they see Christians being a blessing to each other and then to those who persecute the church.”

The Greek word eulogia – found in 1 Peter 3:9 (“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing”) – is found today in the eulogies that accompany funeral services. It deals with lifting somebody up and extoling his or her virtues. Gundrum said, “The best way we can bless anybody is with the gospel.” But beyond that, the church is to be a place where one believer blesses another.

“We’re called to be body-builders,” Gundrum said. “We’re called to lift each other up and not to put each other down.”

The kind of unity that helps us to make disciples is found in the qualities – the “fuel elements,” Gundrum called them – that are found in 1 Peter 3’s “be” statements: be like-minded, be sympathetic, be loving with each other, be compassionate and tender-hearted, and be humble in spirit. “What kind of light is shining from your life, from your church?” he asked. “The brightness of our light to the world will depend on how much we are blessing each other with harmony, with like-mindedness…”

Stephen J. Morton of the Prayer Committee led Conference in a time of corporate prayer. He asked pastors and delegates to pray for each other’s ministries and churches.

Scott A. Allison prayed for discussions that would follow.

Continuation of Ebenezer BFC petition from the fourth meeting

Ebenezer pulled back the remainder of its proposed legislation (its second and third resolutions) in support of the following trial motion.

Whereas, recently many proposed amendments to the Articles of Faith have been approved at First Reading by Conference and

Whereas, these amendments have been sent to the Boards of Elders for their approval, but the Conference Secretary has often not received enough response from the churches, and

Whereas, Article 701-3 says that “the Board of Elders of each church shall vote,” requiring our elders boards to do this task, be it therefore

Resolved, that Conference elect a Legislative Facilitator for a term of one year to implore the churches to turn in the result of their votes to the Conference Secretary.

This motion passed via a hand vote.

Be it further

Resolved, that the duties of the Legislative Facilitator be as follows:

He shall send monthly email reminders to the pastors and delegates to turn in the result of their votes to the voting webpage.
Beginning in December he shall review the responses from the churches and compile a list of those churches which have not yet responded to his reminders. He shall call each of the pastors whose church is on this list in order to personally encourage a response from their elder board.
He may refer a church and/or committee-of-origin to the other so that the elder board can gain enough information to take an informed vote.
He shall report to Conference on his findings from this temporary role as well as a list of those churches who have not yet responded by the time of his report. He shall submit his report to the Secretary of Conference by February 15, 2026.
He shall continue to encourage response from the remaining churches during the period between February 15 and the start of the 143rd Conference.

And be it further

Resolved, that Conference instruct the Agenda and Arrangements Committee to add an item to the Agenda of the 143rd BFC Conference to supply us with time to discuss the results of the role of the Legislative Facilitator with a view to add that position as a permanent office of Conference.

The motion passed by a 140-3 vote and will be implemented on a one-year probationary status.

Conference put forth Keith A. Strunk to serve in this position for the year leading up to the 143^rd BFC Conference. Strunk agreed to serve in this capacity.

Request from Northern Lehigh (Walnutport, PA) BFC board of elders: (see page)

Resolved, that the request be received.

The following proposed legislation was considered for adoption at First Reading:

Whereas, the elders of Northern Lehigh BFC (Walnutport, PA) want to make sure our members abide by the BFC Faith and Order without failure while not hindering anyone from becoming a member who is faithful in the Lord, therefore be it

Resolved, that we make these changes to Section 202-3, Qualifications and Duties of Church Membership in the Faith & Order:

Resolved, that we change the fifth duty from “To pray daily for the elders and ministries of the church” to “To pray consistently for the elders and the ministries of the church.”

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 148; No – 3.

And be it further

Resolved, that we change the seventh duty from “To submit to those God has ordained as rulers in the Church” to “To submit to those God has ordained as overseers in the church.”

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 121; No – 31.

Conference voted to immediately implement the resolutions accompanying the request from the Northern Lehigh BFC elders by Rule of Exception. The division of the house was 129-22.

A request from the board of elders at Cedar Crest BFC (Allentown, PA) was presented to the body, offering proposed legislation concerning the role of women in the church. After discussion, the conference voted not to receive it.

The following resolution was introduced on the floor of Conference:

Resolved, that a study committee be formed to once again study the role of women in the church.

The results of a hand vote was a 75-75 tie. The Moderator announced that the motion was lost.

R. Jerome Brush closed the morning meeting in prayer at 12:10 p.m.

Seventh meeting

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1:30 P.M.

Conference Moderator Daniel L. Williams called the final session of the 142^nd BFC Conference to order at 1:30 p.m. Randall A. Grossman offered prayer for the final session.

Report of elections

The following were elected to boards and committees:

Conference Judicatory (ministers):

James D. MacArthur (3 years)

Officers of the 143^rd BFC Conference

Vice Moderator

Steven J. DelDuco (1 year)

A joint resolution proposing the addition of 404-6 to Article 404 of the Principles of Order reads as follows and was introduced to Conference for adoption at First Reading:

Article 404 – Choosing Leaders Other Than Elders and Deacons

404-6 Preaching and teaching in the church’s gathered worship is to be done by qualified men, typically elders or elders in training, and ruling authority is exercised by elders who must give an account to God. Women are not permitted to function as elders over the church. Women are encouraged to exercise their gifts of teaching and administration in God-glorifying ways in the life of the body. The Board of Elders of each particular church shall determine such settings in accordance with Scripture.

[FIRST READING]

Yes – 130; No – 6.

A collection to replenish the Darlene J. Mahurin Memorial Fund was received. Timothy J. Schmoyer prayed for this act of sacrificial giving. A total of $1,527 was collected for this ongoing ministry of support to our pastors.

Consideration of Legislation at Second Reading

The following proposed pieces of legislation were considered for adoption at Second Reading:

Agenda & Arrangements Committee, Article 508-4, Election Procedures of BFC Conference (See 2024 Yearbook, p. 16)

508-4 Election Procedures of BFC Conference (revised – proposed changes in bold)

(1) Nominations shall be closed at the opening of each meeting for all elections to be conducted at that particular meeting.

(2) The consent of an individual shall be obtained before nominating that individual for election at BFC Conference.

(3) A ballot listing the names of all nominees shall be prepared by the Secretary/Assistant Secretaries and necessary instructions for voting shall be given by the Moderator.

(4) Each voting member of BFC Conference may cast his vote, and the Secretary/Assistant Secretary shall tabulate the results.

(5) If a runoff ballot is needed, the Secretary/Assistant Secretary shall prepare the new ballot and tabulate the results. In the event where no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote, the candidate with the lowest number of votes shall be dropped until an election is reached.

(6) Elections may be conducted by oral nomination and paper or digital ballot, with appropriate instructions being given to members of BFC Conference prior to voting.

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 131; No – 1.

Article 512-2.1, Purpose and Process, Board of Church Extension (See 2024 Yearbook, pp. 16-17)

512-2.1 Purpose & Process – This replaces the original 512-2.1, Purpose

Church Extension Ministries exists to expand the Bible Fellowship Church by planting new churches and incorporating existing (non-BFC) churches.

New churches are planted by evangelizing in communities where Bible Fellowship Churches do not exist, forming and nurturing them to maturity.

Existing churches desiring to affiliate with the Bible Fellowship Church will meet with Church Extension Ministries to determine the church’s doctrinal and organizational compatibility and its future viability. If approval is granted, the church would come under the care of Church Extension Ministries until recommendation can be made that it be presented for recognition as a particular church to the BFC Conference.

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 137; No – 2.

Articles 510-1.2 & 512-4, Board of Church Health (See 2024 Yearbook, p. 17)

The following legislation would replace the current Article 510-1.2.

Articles 510-1.2 & 512-4 Board of Church Health

Resolved, that Article 510-1.2 (Committee on Examination of Minutes of Particular Churches) be deleted, and that the remainder of the article be renumbered accordingly.

Resolved, that the following changes be made to Article 512-4 (Board of Church Health), Section 512-4.3, Duties:

Switch the order of (1) and (2).
Insert at (3): It shall examine the minutes of congregational meetings of Particular Churches. It shall ensure that Particular Churches are conducting meetings in conformity with the BFC Faith & Order. It shall determine annually, by use of the Suggested Format for Congregational Meetings (see § 403-3), the adequacy of the minutes of each Particular Church. It shall notify any Particular Church of inadequacies found in the minutes, along with suggested corrective measures.
Renumber the following duties.

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 122; No – 3.

Mode of Believers’ Baptism for People with Disabilities and Infirmities (see 2024 Yearbook, pp. 36-37)

At the 141^st BFC Conference, a resolution adding Article 103-6.6 to the BFC Biblical Principles for Living was adopted at First Reading.

Article 103-6.6 – Shared Life

Every human is created by God and bears his image (Gen. 1:26-28), and is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psa.139:14). This applies to all humans without exception, including those with disabilities of various kinds. God our Savior desires that all people would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim. 2:4), and this would include people with disabilities and infirmities. When God, by His grace, grants faith in Jesus Christ to a person (Eph. 2:8-9), it is the responsibility of the church to teach them to obey all that Christ commanded (Matt. 28:19-20) and to shepherd them faithfully as members of the flock of God (1 Pet. 5:2). For people with disabilities, this implies a responsibility on the part of the elders of each particular church to understand the needs of the members of their congregations living with disabilities or infirmities and to seek to include them, as far as possible, in the activities of their particular church, including in church membership and service as far as they are able. This would include making accommodations that would permit them to be baptized by another mode of baptism if they cannot be baptized by immersion, to partake of the Lord’s Supper, to participate in regular worship, to serve the body of Christ, etc., as deemed appropriate by the elders of a particular church.

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 120; No – 11.

Mode of Believers’ Baptism for People with Disabilities and Infirmities (see 2024 Yearbook, pp. 37-38)

The following changes to Article 202-3.1, relating to qualifications for membership, had been adopted at First Reading.

Article 202-3.1

Anyone desiring to be a member of the BFC shall give testimony and evidence of faith in Christ and the new birth. He shall be in sympathy with the Faith & Order, be baptized subsequent to salvation (including modes not practiced by the BFC but approved by the local church elders), and manifest holiness toward God and separation from the world (Acts 2:41-47).

The above includes the addition, made on the floor of the 142^nd BFC Conference, of the parenthetical statement “including modes not practiced by the BFC but approved by the local church elders.”

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 127; No – 5.

Study Committee on Eternal Conscious Torment (see 2024 Yearbook, p. 36)

Addition to the footnotes for Article 28-1, allowing for the inclusion of Matthew 25:46.

[SECOND READING]

Yes – 122; No – 1.

Whereas, the Study Committee on Mode of Believers’ Baptism for People with Disabilities and Infirmities has completed its work, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank the members of the committee for their service and declare the committee to be dissolved.

Reports of elected boards and committees

Report of the Ministerial Relations Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Resolved, that each church provide a minimum of 3 % of the pastor’s salary for retirement, plus an additional 1 % match if the pastor is voluntarily contributing 1 %.

Resolved, that Ralph M. Soper be ratified to a three-year term as Conference Pastor.

Report of the Conference Pastor: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Conference Pastor Ralph M. Soper again thanked Conference for the privilege of serving our pastors while his wife Sharon provides encouragement for their spouses.

Report of Victory Valley Camp: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Camp Director Curtis A. Cutler provided a review of some of the particular joys of the ministry at Victory Valley, including the growth of its leadership development program, God’s supplying of a full-time cook, the largest summer staff in history, and full funding for camp’s Goliath Project ropes course. Construction of the new ropes course was finished a few days before BFC Conference and has already passed inspection.

Ministry at the Valley is obviously being blessed by the Lord. “He is growing us in depth as well as in numbers – in staff as well as campers – and most importantly, in faith.”

Victory Valley Camp, Cutler said, serves a crucial function in God’s kingdom work in the Bible Fellowship Church. “We are uniquely equipped to reach the lost in this next generation and uniquely equipped to disciple, train, and send out our staff members in Jesus’ name. Our staff are part of the very same generation that we are reaching; what better missionary to send to a generation than their own? They are ambassadors for Christ, light in the darkness, beacons of hope in a hopelessly lost world,” Cutler said.

One of Victory Valley’s biggest challenges, however, is that it has maximized its facilities. “We stand at a crossroads,” Cutler said. “Your ministry at the Valley is doing well. We are growing, praise the Lord, and we are running out of room. We must turn dozens to hundreds of campers away every year…and not just campers. For the first time this year, we have reached the point where we have too many staff…for the first time, we have had to turn away well-qualified candidates to work at camp because we do not have ministry opportunities to plug them into. We are running out of space. What then shall we do?”

As such, Cutler talked about the door God seems to be opening for the acquisition of Milford Park Bible Camp. He called the project “a beautiful opportunity” – but one that is going to require considerable support from the BFC for necessary upgrades and changes. “My question for you is, ‘What is God asking us to do?’”

This opportunity, he said, comes along once in a generation. “You will never find an opportunity like this again. If we don’t step forward in this way, we will look back with regret,” Cutler stressed.

Report of the Pinebrook Educational Foundation: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Andrew T. Crossgrove, Director of the Pinebrook Educational Foundation, said the foundation was able to provide considerable amounts of money to Christian students who are pursuing education in a number of different fields.

Other Boards and Committees that Report to the BFC Executive Board

Report of the BFC Life Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Communications Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Historical Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Prayer Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Youth and Young Adults Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Ministerial Convention Committee: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Beneficiary Society: (see page)

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Report of the Registrar

The following delegates requested to be excused from part or all of the 142nd BFC Conference:

Albert F. Biddle, Jr. (Camden, DE), Wayne M. Chadwell (Clinton Corners, NY), Rodger Eastman (W. Norriton, PA), Jayonn C. Folks (Harrisburg City, PA), Brad D. Kunkle (Blandon, PA), Harry Nessler (Woodbury Heights, NJ), James W. Preslar (Nazareth, PA), John E. Schleicher (Breinigsville, PA), Edwin Ramos (Brick, NJ), David E. Speel (Coopersburg, PA), Greg Swigart (Forks Twp, PA), Michael Whiteford (Allentown-Citylight).

Resolved, that these requests for excuses be granted.

The following delegate replacements occurred during the 142nd BFC Conference:

Bethlehem, PA — Travis Schanely served on Monday and Tuesday, Josh Von Holt on Wednesday

Piscataway, NJ — Ryan Beauchea served on Tuesday, Jerry Shan on Wednesday

Reading, PA (Grace BFC) — Greg Fairbanks served Monday through Tuesday afternoon, Timothy G. Faust on Tuesday evening through Wednesday

Reading, PA (La Roca de Reading) — Luis Beltran served on Monday, Vladimir Caba on Tuesday, and Alexis Ramirez on Wednesday

Sinking Spring, PA — Timothy P. Stump served on Tuesday, Donald M. Eenigenburg on Wednesday

The following licensed and ordained men requested to be excused from part or all of the 142nd BFC Conference. These requests were approved by the Ministerial Candidate and Ministerial Credentials Committees, respectively:

Mark A. Bickel, David E. Brandt, Ron Burgess, Freddy A. Chi, Kevin W. Clineff, Daryl A. Crawford (Probationer), Jacob B. Dearmon (Probationer), Stephen A. Diaz, William J. Dunn, Scott B. Evans, Jordan K. Eyster, David E. Gundrum, James D. Head, Timothy S. Hogan, D. B. H., Daniel Istrate, Robert A. Johnson, Walter M. Johnston, Ezekiel R. Mack, Carl T. Martin, Joshua P. Miller, Juan Carlos Morales, Jerry L. Moyer, Timothy R. Nessler, Michael J. Notary, David W. Riddell, Benjamin C. Ross (Probationer), John C. Studenroth, Jacob J. Susek, Jr., L. Marc Sweet, Richard E. Taylor, William C. Verdon II, Philip E. Yerrington.

The following licensed and ordained men were noted as absent without excuse for part or all of the 142nd BFC Conference:

None

The following Ordained Ministers in Retirement or on Permanent Disability were noted as being absent and excused without a written request from part or all of the 142nd BFC Conference:

William C. Aukamp, Delbert R. Baker II, Kenneth F. Barber, Clifford B. Boone, Leonard E. Buck, G. Wayne Clapier, Jr., Charles E. Cole, Hugh C. Coulbourn, Richard C. Dodson, Bruce Ellingson, Ronald C. Erb, Glenn R. Felty, Carl J. Fischer, Jr., Richard J. Gehman, Richard D. Harris, LeRoy S. Heller, John H. Herb, Ronald W. Hoyle, David H. Jones, W. Scott Kappes, Donald E. Kuntzman, Dennis J. Lawrence, Francis E. Lenahan, John R. LoRusso, Ronald C. Mahurin, David L. Manney, Philip E. Morrison, Duane E. Moyer, Richard A. Moyer, Barry T. Parsons, Keith E. Plows, Thomas A. Pollock, Louis Prontnicki, Calvin T. Reed, Roger L. Reitz, Jeffrey L. Ruhl, David K. Schlonecker, David N. Schoen, Gene W. Smith, Ronald B. Smith, Dennis W. Spinney, Michael J. Tannous, Gregory A. Uhrich, David R. Way, Dana E. Weller, Byron Widger, Paul G. Zimmerman

Appointments for the 143^rd BFC Conference

The Moderator made the following appointments for the 143^rd BFC Conference:

Registrar: Joel B. Klase

Assistant Registrar: Jules J. Hull III

Committee on Agenda & Arrangements: Ronald L. Kohl, Chairman; David T. Allen, Steven J. DelDuco, Randall A. Grossman, Joel B. Klase, Timothy S. Radcliff, R. Daniel Wagner.

Committee on Minutes of the 142^nd BFC Conference: Joshua P. Gibson, Philip G. Norris, Thomas P. Shorb, Richard E. Taylor, R. Daniel Wagner.

Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.

Study Committee on Civil Government: Larry W. Davies, Convener; Jared M. Burkholder, Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, A. J. Miller, Ricky D. Whitmire.

Study Committee on Stewardship: Joshua P. Gibson, Convener; Clifford B. Boone, Trace Haines, Edward Snyder-Ritter.

Study Committee to reexamine the Biblical Principles for Living: Timothy S. Radcliff, Convener; Richard L. Dobrowolski, R. Daniel Wagner.

Resolved, that the appointments be ratified.

The following were also announced:

Secretary of the Conference Judicatory: Clyde D. Bomgardner, Jr.

Secretary of the Special Appellate Judicatory: Daniel Z. Krall

Report of the Committee on Resolutions

Resolved, that the report be accepted.

Whereas, Jason L. Hoy, David T. Allen, James D. MacArthur, R. Scott Wright, and David E. Gundrum challenged us through God’s Word, and

Whereas, Michael W. Walker, Dennis W. Spinney, and Steven J. Morton led us in prayer, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank the Lord for His faithful servants and His holy Word.

Whereas, Christ Alone Fellowship Church of Lancaster, PA has been recognized at the 142^nd BFC Conference as a Particular Church, therefore be it

Resolved, that we give praise to God for His work in this church.

Whereas, we celebrated the ordinations of James L. Farver Jr., Tracy D. Haines, Eric E. Herb Jr., and Sandy H. Holbert, and

Whereas, the BFC recognized the previous ordination of Richard L. Dobrowolski, therefore be it

Resolved, that we give thanks to God for calling these men to serve Him as shepherds of His church. We also ask God’s blessing on them and their churches.

Whereas, David Pooler, Thomas Heath, Steven K. Myers, Aaron J. Susek, and Kevin Weber led our hearts and minds back to the living God again and again through worship in song, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank them for their faithful ministry to us.

Whereas, Conference Secretary Ronald L. Kohl, Assistant Secretary Timothy S. Radcliff, and Assistants to the Secretary Samuel Janney and Shawn Rohrbach, have served so well behind the scenes, and

Whereas, David T. Allen has served us diligently as Executive Director, and

Whereas, Daniel L. Williams has served exceptionally as the Moderator of the 142^nd Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank them for serving this Conference so well.

Whereas, Ryan Diffenderfer and the team of quick-stepping pages did a wonderful job of serving the needs of the conference attendees, and

Whereas, Joel B. Klase and Jules J. Hull III served Conference well as Registrar and Assistant Registrar, respectively, and

Whereas, Rachel Schmoyer and Julie Sebastian have worked tirelessly and with exemplary efficiency leading up to and during this Conference, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank them for all the planning and work they did to make this conference a success!

Whereas, Pastors T. James Bigley, Timothy S. Cowen, Austin G. Shelly, David A. Thomann, and Harold C. Weaber, and pastors’ wives Carla Norris and Ruth Shelly, have passed into glory and have entered God’s rest, therefore be it

Resolved, that we thank the Lord for their faithful ministry, and we pray for the comfort of their family members.

Whereas, we have much to thank God for and think about as a result of this year’s sermons, reports, testimonies, and times of prayer, therefore be it

Resolved, that as we go from this place, we would be united in our common purpose and mission as defined by God and His Word, and that this unity would not only be good and pleasant, but that it would enable us to boldly reach out with the good news of Jesus Christ personally and corporately to a lost and dying world.

The Moderator read 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 as a closing reminder of God’s calling upon our lives.

The 142^nd Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church was adjourned with prayer by William G. Schlonecker at 3:42 p.m.

Category:Minutes of Conference