Because of your church’s partnership, $174K was awarded in 2023 by our district to help develop workers, churches, and communities. We want to celebrate and report back on the Kingdom impact.
Experiencing Alliance Missions with Envision
With a short-term trip grant, Fairlawn Community Church and Common Places joined together to visit Envision NYC. The trip exposed the group to new cultures and religions, and they were able to interact with immigrants and hear their stories. Since their trip, they continue to pray for the women they met who are working towards their citizenship and continue to stay in touch with the Alliance workers. We are excited to learn that one of the young women who went on the trip is wanting to join Alliance Missions after completing her nursing degree!
“It was great to see Alliance Missions in action,” says Julie Bota. “It is amazing to see how big of a mission field NYC is with all of the different cultures. My heart was more burdened for the lost after going on this trip. The need is great, and the workers are few.”
Another group from Fairlawn, who had never experienced an Alliance Missions trip, visited Envision Cleveland. They came back with an appreciation of how the Alliance impacts communities and gained practical experience on how to connect with their community. Their eyes were also opened to the diversity that exists right in the US.
“The world is closer than we think,” one participant wrote. “We can influence one family member here that could spark curiosity from other family members worldwide. It also doesn’t always take elaborate schemes to reach people . . . I used pretzel sticks.”
Lewistown Alliance Church visited Envision El Salvador to lead VBS and help teach in a local school. The church is already committed to returning in 2024. For some of the individuals, this was their first short-term trip. A young woman in college who was on the trip is returning as an Envision intern in 2024 to serve for two months! “I feel our church is more committed to missions now than ever,” says Ryan Marker.
Developing Missional Partnerships and Passion
A missions grant supported York Alliance Church and Spring Grove Alliance Church as they joined forces to take a trip to a region in the Middle East. They helped run an English camp for 100 kids and youth. They were able to strengthen their relationship with the Alliance international workers and build a new partnership with a local pastor. The team praises God for a new friendship that was formed with a woman of the majority religion. They continue to text and Facetime with her and believe that their new friend is on a course to encounter Jesus in a new and powerful way!
“The trip brought a longing for Jesus to make a real difference in this region because He is the only one who can do it!” says Michael Carletti.
With a grant, we were able to once again support the annual Great Commission 5K that Daybreak hosts at City Island in Harrisburg. They had over 100 volunteers, 90 business sponsors, and 250 participants. They raised a total of $37,000 through the event for the Great Commission Fund.
A grant also supported a short-term team from Daybreak to travel to a creative access location. Daybreak is building a 10-year partnership with a local church and this trip laid the groundwork and strengthened relationships with Alliance workers. Several from the team had never been on a missions trip before.
A few Alliance Lewistown regional churches hosted an evangelism-equipping event to help develop a missional mindset in their congregations. They invited Ashley and Heather Holleman to serve as the speakers and around 40 people participated.
Developing Young Leaders
We can celebrate that grants continue to support three young Alliance workers serving in our district to complete their Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience (ALME). An ALME is a requirement for anyone who wants to join the clergy track with Alliance Missions. Your gifts support the development of Bret Warner at Immanuel Alliance Church in Mechanicsburg, Jake Santis at Hope Alliance in Bethlehem, and Chris Metelsky at Penns Valley Community Church in Spring Mills.
“Chris challenges me daily to love my neighbors and find ways to talk about Jesus,” writes Tom Titus, Pastor at Penns Valley. “He simply lives the Gospel with friends, neighbors, and people he encounters.”
A few grants also supported church interns who were developed as they served in youth ministry. “Through our intern, we saw Kingdom advancement,” says Seth Roush at State College Alliance Church.
At Lancaster Alliance Church, their intern was developed as a leader through leading a mission trip, leading devotional times, and taking part in church planning and strategy. “His perspective and gifting were a breath of fresh air,” says Rick Rosati.
Reaching Communities
Through a grant, our district supported the Cambodian Association in hosting a NextGen Retreat for a diverse group of 64 kids and youth in the Philadelphia region. Only 27 who went on the retreat considered themselves Christian, and ten said they did not understand the gospel. Praise God that at the retreat nine youth made commitments to follow Jesus! The adult volunteers are committed to follow up with each youth.
“It was a blessing to see the Lord move among the next generation of believers as they experience the presence of God,” one volunteer wrote. (Watch a highlight video.)
Another grant supported a ministry at Community Alliance Church in Towanda as they practice hospitality and provide meals for families who participate in their Kid’s Club, youth group, and VBS. They were intentional to make the meals discipleship times with prayer and celebrating God at work. “It helped our congregation to move from doing to relationship building,” says Jake Howard.
We also celebrate the grant Fairlawn Community Church used to provide help, support, and friendship to new Ukrainian refugees moving into their community.
Supporting Churches and Equipping Pastors
Churches like Lewistown Alliance Church used a grant to update their website. And churches like Willow Grove Bible Church, who were without a pastor for a while, received help to secure a new heater for their sanctuary.
Your church’s partnership supported continuing education for pastors like Adam Eshbaugh as he pursues his Ph.D. “It has grown me as a worshiper and lover of God, and therefore as a pastor and leader,” says Adam.
Another grant supported the continuing education of Peter Keady, an Alliance chaplain. “The unit helped me advance my skills as a first responder chaplain,” says Peter. “It made me more confident in my approach to caring for others.”