Report of the
Board of Church Extension
The mission of Church Extension Ministries is to begin new Bible Fellowship Churches in new communities of North America and to strengthen those new works already begun. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14,15.
The Board of Church Extension met quarterly during 2003 to oversee this work. In addition, committees of the Board have met as necessary to create policy and strategy, oversee finances and personnel, and oversee the purchase, sale and maintenance of properties.
The Board is thankful for our Executive Director, David E. Gundrum. Brother Gundrum has been faithful in visiting the churches of the BFC, working with the church planters of churches and missions under the authority of Church Extension Ministries, and working to initiate new church starts. We are also thankful for Ruth Richards for her valuable administrative efforts in the Church Extension office. In addition, John Pello, Outreach Assistant, and Chris Merrick, Ministry and Work Team Coordinator, and Ray Bertolet, Assistant Church Planter working primarily with the Delmarva Project, have provided valuable support to our ministry teams. The Board is grateful for all those who are partners with us in this vital ministry of beginning new churches through prayer, financial support and volunteer service. Please continue to pray for the work of Church Extension in the BFC.
Some of the highlights for 2003 are:
· We approved the opening of a mission in Worcester County, Maryland. We are now asking the Lord to provide a church planter for that mission.
· Stephen C. Mann was called as church planter for the Hellertown Mission during 2003. Public worship has begun, a committed core has been gathered and outreach to the community continues in Hellertown.
· The Thompson Mission Church has called and affirmed elders and was recognized as a Particular Church at the 120th Annual Conference.
· This past year, the Joint Committee on Ethnic Church Planting has assessed and approved Carlos Rodriguez to be a candidate to serve in planting an Hispanic church in the city of Reading, PA. Church Extension is working in conjunction with the Board of Missions on this project.
· During 2003 Thomas H. Morrison was hired and sent as church planter at the Las Cruces, NM, Mission Church. Pray for Tom and Paula as they seek to establish and grow that work.
· The New Life Bible Fellowship Mission Church of Rehobeth, DE, purchased an eight acre property during 2003. Plans are underway to finance the construction of a first phase on that property.
The following is a list of men who are presently serving under Church Extension Ministries:
| Old Bridge, NJ | John C. Vandegriff, Jr. |
| Brooklyn, NY | Ralph E. Ritter |
| Chesapeake, VA | Willis I. Dowling |
| Hellertown, PA | Stephen C. Mann |
| Las Cruces, NM | Thomas H. Morrison |
| Long Neck, DE | Kenneth F. Barber |
| Newark, NJ | Delbert R. Baker, II |
| Ocean County, NJ | Dean A. Stortz |
| South Allentown, PA | Elliot H. Ramos |
| Thompson, CT | Dennis W. Spinney |
| Reading, PA | Carlos Rodriguez |
The Board of Church Extension makes the following resolutions:
1. Whereas, the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the New Life Mission Church of Lewes/Rehobeth, DE, meets the qualifications of a Particular Church as specified in Article 18 of the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that the New Life Mission Church of Lewes/Rehobeth, DE, be recognized as a Particular Church, and that its delegate be received into membership of the one-hundred- twenty-first Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
2. Whereas, the Board of Church Extension is of the opinion that the Newark Bible Fellowship Church of Newark, NJ, meets the qualifications of a Particular Church as specified in Article 18 of the Articles of Faith of the Bible Fellowship Church, therefore be it
Resolved, that the the Newark Bible Fellowship Church of Newark, NJ, be recognized as a Particular Church, and that its delegate be received into membership of the one-hundred- twenty-first Annual Conference of the Bible Fellowship Church.
3. Whereas, the purpose of Church Extension Ministries is to form, foster and nurture to maturity new congregations, and
Whereas, this purpose does not include support and care for recognized churches of Annual Conference, and
Whereas, the board of Church Extension has neither resources nor expertise to revitalize declining and vulnerable churches, and
Whereas, newly recognized churches and churches in decline may need various kind of support, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Board of Church Extension recommend to the Annual Conference that a committee formed of representatives of the Ministerial Relations Committee, the Board of Directors, and the Board of Church Extension be appointed to study and propose mechanisms to provide support for weak or declining churches.
Board of Church Extension: Richard E. Taylor, Chairman; Byron Widger, Vice Chairman; William E. Singletary, Treasurer; Dennis M. Cahill, Secretary; David E. Gundrum, Executive Director; Kenneth D. Keeler, John C. Elias, Robert W. Davies, Robert H. Zentz, Clyde W. Snyder, William G. Schlonecker