Report of the
Board of Church Extension
The Church Extension Ministries Committee continues by God’s grace to fulfill its vision statement to “effectively and efficiently plant new Bible Fellowship churches, promote and facilitate daughter and regional church planting, and connect with groups seeking affiliation with the BFC. The Committee met three times since last Annual Conference but was able to accomplish a lot between meetings through the work of sub-committees.
David E. Gundrum, Director, Mark L. Morrison, Assistant Director, and Lisa Christensen, Administrative Assistant, continue to form a cohesive team to oversee the work on a daily basis. The Committee affirms the giftedness and faithfulness of these key individuals and gives thanks to God for their commitment. Lisa faces potential back surgery and in her absence former Administrative Assistant, Ruth Richards, will step in on a temporary basis. Carol Z. Snyder provides help on special projects devoted to publications and communications. Raymond R. Bertolet has assumed a part-time ministry position as interim pastor at the Camden, DE, church. He continues to serve with Church Extension Ministries, and along with his wife, Louise, has been focusing his efforts on the Milford, DE, church plant potential. He has established a Bible study and is making key contacts within the community.
The Personnel Committee this year met with each of the church planting pastors to provide encouragement, accountability, and direction. Miguel Gonzalez has been called to serve as a church planter intern with La Roca Mission Church in Reading, PA. Director David Gundrum regularly meets with prospective church planters who are considering opportunities of ministry within the BFC. Pray that the Lord of the harvest would raise up laborers who will serve in our Jerusalems, Judeas, and Samarias, planting churches for the glory of God.
La Roca BFC in Merida, Mexico, is considering its first daughter church. The Harleysville BFC is partnering with La Roca to provide leadership development and equipping. After much prayer, discussion, and consultation, Church Extension Ministries’ time of providing additional oversight and support for the New Community BFC in Brooklyn has been concluded. With impending changes in meeting place availability, Ralph E. Ritter, church planter, is seeking God’s direction regarding the future of the ministry at this time. This church has been a faithful presence on Flatbush Avenue for many years.
Grace Fellowship, near Harrisburg, PA, requested affiliation with the BFC and has been received into Church Extension Ministries. Pastor David Smith and Elder Ed Suthers are presently under the care of the Ministerial Candidate Committee. God is blessing the labors of our faithful church planters. Monthly reports from each of our mission churches include evidences of God’s provision and blessing. Continue to pray for these men of God who are serving in these young church plants. We remain grateful for Aquila and Priscilla teams who are invaluable to the work. Harry and Sandra Workman assist in Long Neck, DE, and also have been assisting in survey work in Milford, DE. Jason and Joanne Englehart are serving in the La Roca Mission Church in Reading, and Russell and Eleanor Ruch serve in the Hellertown Mission Church. Neil and Lisa Christensen have been commissioned from the Cedar Crest church and are now on site at the El Faro Mission Church in Allentown. The Sinking Spring church provided personnel and resources each week for the summer ministry at the Cape May Mission Church. They provided music and worship, someone to preach, and people resources to reach out to those in the community. Several men have been interviewed who have an interest in serving at the Cape May Mission Church.
The Committee urges churches to consider daughter church planting and regions to consider a joint effort toward this end. Director Gundrum has met with various churches and regions during the past year to guide them in considering this. He is available throughout the year to meet with any pastor, elder board, or region desiring to explore daughter or regional church planting.
The Committee is deeply appreciative of the prayer and financial support of so many churches and individuals. Evangelistic church planting remains key to the future of the BFC. A monthly prayer guide, “The Extension Call,” is available via either email or postal mail. Contact the Church Extension Ministries office to receive an individual copy or multiple copies for your church. And please continue to pray for your church planters and their families. The following is a list of men who are presently serving in the Department of Church Extension Ministries:
Adams County, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aaron J. Susek
Cape May County, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To be called
Hanover Township, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark E. Barninger
Harrisburg, PA (Grace Fellowship). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .David Smith
Hellertown, PA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Timothy M. Zuck
Reading, PA (La Roca). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Carlos G. Rodriguez
South Allentown, PA (El Faro). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elliot H. Ramos
Woodbury Heights, NJ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Daniel L. Williams
Church Extension Ministries Committee: Richard E. Taylor, Chairman; Carl K. Spackman, Vice Chairman; William R. Singletary, Treasurer; William G. Schlonecker, Secretary; Robert W. Davies, Kenneth D. Keeler, Alfred G. Roberts, Robert A. Sloan, Clyde W. Snyder, Robert H. Zentz, David E. Gundrum, Director; Mark L. Morrison, Assistant Director.