History

UNIVERSITY BIBLE CHURCH/ STATE COLLEGE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH 50 YEARS: 1954-2004

The Journey

A History of State College Evangelical Free Church

The fourth chapter of Joshua records an interesting event in the life of the nation of Israel. In order to ensure that His people would always remember the magnificent way He had delivered them into the promised land, the Lord commands them to create a pile of rocks on the shore of the Jordan River. In the future, God tells them, when their children ask what the stones signify, they are to explain that the river was miraculously parted to allow them to pass through, and the stones are to be a memorial forever.

This history of State College Evangelical Free Church has been compiled for much the same reason. God has shown Himself to be a faithful deliverer time and time again in the life of this church. These pages are meant to be a lasting memorial to His faithfulness and an encouragement to all who would ask in the days to come: What is the history of State College E.F.C.? Does God care about the future of this body?

In 1954, two groups of evangelical Christians decided to merge to form a new fellowship they were to call University Bible Church. The Seven Stars Church, a group of about twenty, had been meeting in an old schoolhouse in Seven Stars. Another small church, the Centre Community Church, had been renting various facilities in State College. John and Olive Spotts, members of the Centre Community group, decided to donate a parcel of land adjoining their home to use as a building site for the new church. Exercising faith and the skills and gifts of its members, a small structure was erected in 1954, and then in 1958 its size was doubled due to increased attendance.

The church grew and produced much spiritual fruit during its early years. Emphasis on ministering to students at Penn State University yielded many young lives dedicated to serving Christ. Several of those are still serving on the mission field. [At the time of the first writing of this history in 1994 we were still supporting the Hanns in Brazil and the Shelmires in Africa]. Attendance during those years climbed to near 300, but internal strife over the direction of the church and various leadership styles was already beginning to take its toll. Families began to leave, and soon the church was struggling to support a full-time pastor.

In 1968, the members of University Bible Church decided to affiliate with the Evangelical Free Church of America. Soon after, Gordon Hamilton, a pastor credentialed in the Free Church, was hired through the recommendation of Arnie Hansen, the E.F.C.A. District Superintendent at that time. Rev. Hamilton soon found it necessary to take another church because of the inability of the congregation to provide full-time support.

For 15 years, from 1970 to 1985, University Bible Church was served by a succession of part-time pastors. Attendance dropped to about 25 stalwart members, and they found themselves at a critical juncture in the life of the church. Realizing that to do nothing was to sound the death knell of the church, the remaining members decided to step out in faith and hire a full-time pastor, believing that God wanted the church to grow and again reach the community for Christ. There was approximately $25,000 in the bank from the sale of a parsonage, but members knew that only immediate and substantial growth could keep the church alive.

Regis Sullivan was hired as pastor, and the Sullivan family arrived from California in February, 1985 to a congregation of 26 the first Sunday. The second Sunday, attendance grew to 64 as a local home church group arrived to check out the prospects of the reborn congregation. Most kept returning, and the church began to experience a steady growth. The new group was composed of young families, and the second week they visited, they established a Sunday School for the children. A new constitution was drafted and approved in 1987, and soon after the congregation voted to rename the church State College Evangelical Free Church to reflect its affiliation with the denomination. It is interesting to note that the name change had to be brought before the congregation twice before it passed. Much of the opposition on the first vote was by new families who were concerned about alienating those who had been long-time members. But when it was discovered that there was strong support for the change among those older members, the issue passed overwhelmingly.

As growth continued, the congregation found it necessary to address several results of increased numbers. First, the building on Airport Road became inadequate. Problems with acoustics, space for classrooms, restroom facilities, and parking caused the leadership to begin to think about a new facility. Second, as the congregation grew toward 200, many of whom were young families with children, it became evident that an associate pastor would be needed. Since money was not available for either of these projects, the members had to act in faith believing that God would supply.

After considerable effort to locate a suitable piece of land for future building, a contact was made with Galen Dreibelbis, a local developer who agreed to sell the church 10 acres of prime undeveloped land for $7500 per acre. However, the land was part of a subdivision plan already approved by the township, and would have to be replotted. After explaining the difficulties inherent in making such a change and the uncertainties of it happening in the near future, the church was offered an option on the land for $7500. The balance of $62,500 would come due at the point at which an access road was put in and a title could be secured on the newly-drawn lot. Subsequently, Mr. Dreibelbis sold the entire subdivision to Steve and Paula White with the understanding that the verbal agreement with the church would be honored. The option was executed in January 1988 with the land becoming part of the Haymarket Subdivision. At the time, one could have concluded that these circumstances were working against the interests of the church. But God was using this real estate transaction to bring Steve White to a point of decision about his own eternal destiny.

In the meantime, the church decided to hire an associate, believing that God was directing it to grow and to increase its ministry to youth. Without funds to pay the additional salary, but with faith that the Lord would provide for His work, David Prince was hired in August 1989. The church continued to grow and giving not only covered the new salary but also allowed accumulation of a fund to pay off the land when the option could be exercised. Years passed and negotiations between Haymarket, Ferguson Township and other interested parties progressed toward developing the area which included the church’s option. Again and again financial crises, political maneuvering, and government red tape threatened to transfer ownership of the land and thereby nullify the option. But each time God moved at the last moment to keep the contract viable.

The period from 1988 to 1992 was characterized by a growing awareness of the church’s calling and a steady increase in the effectiveness of its programming. As the task of discipling every person to maturity in Christ became more widely understood and accepted by the congregation, many lives were touched in ways that will yield multiplied growth in God’s kingdom until Christ returns. Dave Summers responded to God’s calling and has been teaching English in China through English Language Institute. Couples like Bob and Deb Kropeiwnicki, Tim and Kathy Holcomb, Bruce and Brenda Muller, Matt and Cindy Carter and Dan and Lynn Anthony were counseled, married and sent out to build strong Christian families. Other families like the Buchanans, the Conrads, the Cantors, the Ferrens, the Livingstons (and the list could go on for pages) were strengthened in their faith and trained to be disciplers for Christ. God has moved them to other areas, but they will always carry the marks of His calling on State College E.F.C. to build up every believer He sends our way.

Sale of the Airport Road property was completed in 1992, and the church moved into temporary facilities on Gerald Street. The former skating rink and business school was leased for three years with a one-year option to extend. The expectation was that growth over the three years would make a building project possible. The land option was exercised in January 1993, after God once again stepped in to solve a financial crisis which brought the matter down to the very last hour. Through all of this, the church leadership and membership continued to believe that God intended to make the land available in His time and in His own way. Since attendance diminished rather than increased after the relocation, the church found itself facing another critical test of its faith when Dave Prince resigned in May 1993. Should another associate pastor be hired, or should the church reduce its ministry to youth and apply the savings in salary to reducing the gen eral fund deficits? Again, the mem bership decided to step out in faith believing that God would make funds available for any ministry He calls the church to perform. Edwin Reese was hired in April 1994 as Associate Pas tor for youth and Christian Education. During 1994, an important step was taken toward clarifying the mission of State College E.F.C. Although the church had understood that it was called of God to be a congregation of disciplers, as that calling became more specific, a Vision Statement was developed which not only captures the spirit of the calling but articulates the strategy to be followed in its accomplishment. It is as follows:

As a body of believers located in a “crossroads” community, we strive to assist every person to take the next step toward Christian maturity in a timely fashion, expecting to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through these maturing believers. Our strategy is to offer opportunities for 1) self-evaluation, 2) biblical instruction, 3) prayer and praise, 4) discipling, 5) fellowship, and 6) service, while promoting mutual love.

State College E.F.C. is blessed with a strong and dedicated membership which is actively seeking to build up believers of all ages into mature, reproducing Christians. We have a plan to build a new facility on the land God has given us and to occupy it by March 1996, the expiration date of our present lease. We expect to grow numerically as we are able to strengthen our foundations of unity, ministry and organization.

Our community is desperately in need of an increased evangelical presence which will live the truth in grace and speak the truth in love. We invite you to join us in becoming that presence, and in the task of developing true disciples of our Lord.

Feb. 2004: The “Journey” did not stop in 1994 (when this was originally written). Our church’s trip has been over mountain tops and through valleys, but we have persevered. God is good…and all the time!

We sent the first missions team to Tenancingo, Mexico in July 1995. Over the next five years we continued to send a team to help with a local church planting there and in Ixtapan. That same summer we reached out at home by joining with Calvary Baptist for a combined Vacation Bible School. 39 people from our church helped and were able to minister to 150 children. At Christmas time, in addition to care packages sent to our overseas missionaries, our church participated in the Angel Tree program – providing gifts for the children of inmates in the central Pennsylvania area.

We have tried to minister to our church body in many ways

– Bible studies, men’s and women’s retreats, a Family Life Conference for marriage enrichment, a Divorce Recovery Workshop, small groups, Suppers for Six, youth bike trips, and a men’s bagel bunch.

We had our groundbreaking ceremony on December 16,

1995 for our new building on Blue Course Drive. Building Committee members, past and present, Steve White, Steve Coder, Madelyn Weaver, Gary Brown, Sherry Durkin, Ron Snider, Bob Myers, Lee Sampson and John Rodgers officially “dug in” that afternoon.

Pastor Sullivan and Penny benefited from a “saw sharpening” time for three months in the Spring of 1996. After ministering to us for ten years, they took this leave of absence to refresh and renew in preparation for the future. They returned to a very busy time of “sweat equity” as our whole church helped get our new church building ready for worship. We have been blessed with many skilled workers who were incredibly generous with their time and talent. We painted, stained wood, landscaping, building the mezzanine and the worship

platform. Many members worked “behind the scenes” providing food for the laborers, babysitting, and making calls to schedule work days. All this work brought us closer as a body. The significant work took place in the building up of the members and attendees of this church – which reflects our belief that God is primarily in the people-building business. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

We moved out of our rental facility at the end of our lease on November 11. For three weeks we met in private homes for “Home Church,” a unique time of worship and fellowship reminiscent of the original Acts’ churches. December 8, 1996 was our first Sunday in our new church building. Pastor Sullivan talked about “Preparing for Change.” February 22, 1997 we thanked God at a special Dedication Service and dinner. Pastor Sullivan shared three things we’ve learned: 1. We have a powerful God, 2. The provision of God – He supplies all, and 3) There is praise due to this God! Our District Superintendent Leroy Glover shared that “I thank God for what He has allowed to happen. …[We rejoice] to see how He works things out in His own time.”

We have shared our building with the Young-Kwang Korean Presbyterian Church of Penn State. Their body has grown from 40 to over 120 mem bers. They have an active Kids’ Club and college group. As many of these students return to Korea, they are able to reach out there as a result of their growth here.

In April of 1998 our church hosted the Allegheny District Conference. We were privileged to have EFCA President William Hamel attend and speak on “Becoming a Team that God Uses.”

We entered a new phase of ministry in 2000 with the departures of Regis Sullivan, our Senior Pastor, and Ed Reese, our CE/Youth Pastor. April 1 Daryl and Monica Peters began a one-year internship as youth directors. Their heart for the youth of this community and desire to see God glorified has been another blessing. Monica literally grew up in our church as the daughter of long-time members Glenn and Fae Frank and was active in our youth group. She and Daryl were youth group leaders until they married and Daryl took a job in Lebanon, PA. That one-year internship became a full-time position for Daryl as our youth pastor (and Monica works very closely with him in ministering to our youth). Our church has been blessed by their energy, wisdom and heart for teens and “20-somethings” and deep desire to do all they can for God’s glory.

Ministries continued to the best of our abilities during the time we were without a senior pastor. We continued to have summer missions trips to Mexico, Vacation Bible School, small groups, an active youth group and Bible studies. Filling the pulpit every week was another provision from God. Our lay leaders gave sacrificially – preaching on Sundays (in addition to some of the other local church pastors and para-church ministry leaders and Rev. Mike Alfieri, our District Superintendent) and helping serve the needs of the church body. Our Pastoral Search Team worked many long hours, but God seemed to be telling us that He was working on us as a body without a pastor. We were to journey for two years without a senior pastor going through what seemed like one of the valleys. To deal with conflicts God’s way, we held a Peacemaker Seminar for not only our church but also others in the community. God taught us that conflict provides opportunities to glorify Him, serve others and grow to be more like Christ.

We added the steeple and cross to our church building and a marquis along Blue Course Drive, increasing our physical presence somewhat during this time. We developed a church web page, which is a work in progress.

Finally, in October of 2001, the Search Team appeared to have found God’s man for us. Early in October 2001 Senior Pastor candidate Rev. Eric Tober (along with his wife Chris and children Jessica, Heather and Derek) visited our church. Pastor Tober spoke on Sunday morning about “Growing Stronger in the Faith” from Acts 15:36-16:5. The congregation voted on October 28 to approve the calling of Pastor Tober, but also agreed to delay his official return to us until the Spring of 2002 in order to facilitate an easier transition for his family.

God blessed us with many different speakers who were able to present His message during the interim time period that we were without a full-time pastor. Our elders (Lee Coraor, John Rodgers, Bill Dripps, Tim McGill, Al Carlson and Bob Ford), Rev. Mike Alfieri (our Allegheny District Superintendent), other church leaders such as John Roe, Mark Hagerup and Dave Bowman, other pastors in the community (Rev. Dan Nold and Rev. Dan Dorsey from Calvary Baptist, Rev. Paul Grabill and Pastor Keith Davis from Assembly of God), author and Navigators staff Jerry Bridges, some of our supported missionaries (Steve Bresler and Bob Cutting), and our former pastors Ed Reese and Regis Sullivan returned to speak again in April (the month before Pastor Tober came full-time).

Pastor Tober’s first “official” Sunday was May 5, 2002. His message was “Jesus’ Prayer for Our Church” from John 17. A major part of our focus has been to understand and put into practice a more consistent personal and corporate prayer time. We co-sponsored a Prayer Seminar January 17-19, 2004 with Calvary Baptist Church. Dr. Robert Bakke, director of the EFCA’s National Prayer Advance, was here for the weekend – which included a Saturday seminar, his message at our Saturday Night Light Service, a combined Sunday worship service with Calvary at the High School North, and a community Concert of Prayer at the State College Alliance Church. Pastor Tober has also been teaching a Sunday school class on Prayer. We are reminded that taking everything to God in prayer is the only way we can live our lives by His strength.

In the almost two years since Pastor Tober arrived, our church has continued to grow – both in numbers, spiritually and in love. Because it is written in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” our church’s “Top 3” is 1) Love the Lord, Our God (“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” – Matthew 22:37,38); 2) Love Our Neighbors (“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

– Matthew 22:39 and “Laboring in the power of God to disciple each individual to completion in Christ.” – Colossians 1:28,29); and 3) Love the Lost (“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20). We desire to show this love and strive to improve in this area through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Some of the ways we have tried to demonstrate our love is in trying to reach more of our neighbors. We sponsored a community picnic to our neighbors in July of 2003 – complete with a dunk tank! We were able to bring Christ’s redemptive message to the children and their parents literally in their own back yards. On October 18, 2003 we had our first “Saturday Night Light” contemporary worship service. Our goal is to reach students and others in the community who may not feel comfortable learning about Jesus’ love in a Sunday morning service, but would be reached where the “dress is casual and the message is hope.” This service continues to meet the third Saturday of every month, but we hope to increase that in time.

We have been blessed with many of the women of our church having a deep desire of their hearts to reach our neighbors also. The women held an Victorian Tea at Celebration Hall in the Spring of 2003. 13 women who attended committed their lives to Christ! What another answer to prayer! They are planning a second evangelistic event this year – “Death by Chocolate!” Pray that others will also hear the message and also accept Jesus Christ as their Savior there, too.

Our Evangelism Team has also started the “Alpha” course. This is a non-threatening investigation of the Christian faith through a meal, video and discussion. Sandy and Patty Smith have used their gifts of hospitality and hosted this in their home.

Our desire to build up and show love to our church body has focused on small groups as a vital part of God’s plan. Our church has experienced a deeper walk with our Lord through the accountability and teaching in those groups. Our youth benefit greatly from the J.V. and Varsity “Huddles,” there is a group for Penn State Christian Grads, a “20Somethings” group, a men’s fellowship (Bagel Bunch) group, a men’s morning Bible study, a Businessmen’s breakfast study, four women’s Bible studies, a Thin Within Christian weight-loss support group, a Moms in Touch prayer group,, and several cell groups that meet in members’ homes for Bible study, prayer and fellowship.

Our church continues to grow physically also. Ever since our first Sunday in this building we have needed more Sunday School classroom space. It is a good “problem” to have that we have many children to nourish and to grow, but we did not have the finances or feel that it was God’s timing to add on to our building before. We are at the juncture now, however, where we will soon break ground for a children’s education addition. God has shown that He is indeed in control and able to provide for all our needs. Just as crucial as more space – or probably more so, we have added a Children’s Ministries director to our church staff. Eva Tomashefski has had experience in children’s ministries, a Master’s degree in education, and more importantly, a strong heart’s desire to see all the children reached and continually fed with the love of Jesus. Our AWANA program had been a very successful ministry to not only the children of our church but also 80% of the children were from other churches. It had grown so much that many of the leaders were feeling “burned out.” Eva has facilitated the emphasis of our Children’s Ministries program to a more unified “diapers to diploma” ministry that reinforces the same Biblical principles in more than one place. We started the Word of Life Olympians and KITS (Kids in Training) program for Sunday school classes and mid-week club.

As a “sending church” we have seen many attendees built up here and then go out into the world. We have tried to facilitate this by providing the personal, emotional and financial support for both short-term and long-term missions trips. We continue to support four full-time missionary families: Dave and Cathy Bowman (locally with The Navigators), Steve and Becky Bresler (ministering to Muslims in California through Campus Crusade for Christ), Chris and Sue Christian (“tent makers” in Asia), and Peter and Grace Thiessen (EFCA missionaries). We hope to add one or two more families in the next year. We are also planning a Missions Conference that we will host in March of 2004. Dr. Ben Sawatsky, Executive Director of the EFCA International Mission, will be our guest and speaker on “The Cost of Being a Disciple” and “The Great Commission: Jesus’ Power, Jesus’ Plan, Jesus’ Presence.”

At the time of this update, we are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of our church. We look forward to the “homecoming” of Pastor Regis Sullivan, Pastor Ed Reese and other former members, are planning a church social time at Penn Skates (as a “reminder” that we once met in a former roller skating rink ourselves), and we have purchased all the tickets to the Friday showing of “The Passion of the Christ” movie of Christ’s final hours and resurrection. It is our desire to reach our community with Christ’s redemptive message as a crucial part of our anniversary/birthday festivities. As God allows and the Holy Spirit enables us, we hope to be used by Him in a mighty way in our homes, in our community and in the world for however many more years He blesses us – or until Christ’s return!