Because of the COVID-19 virus, all church activities are temporarily on hold. There will be no gatherings at the church during the week.
Those with Internet access are asked to join the worship service online—for the next few weeks that will be via online meeting, but we will try to offer it on Facebook live as well.
Please contact Associate Pastor Matt Filbert at 412-901-3553 or any of the deacons and elders if you have any needs or prayer requests.
In the meantime, keep our country and the entire world in prayer as this virus spreads. Pray that the Lord would arrest it and bring healing. Pray that the whole world would turn to Him and praise his name.
Yesterday, Facebook reminded us it was the 6th anniversary of the installation of our two associate pastors. Long-time pastor, Rev. Bruce Backensto, was planning to retire the following May, and we had also begun the candidating process for our next full-time pastor.
Pastor Bruce Backensto reads the queries of ordination to Associate Pastors Tim McClain and Matt Filbert.
Back in December of 2013 when we installed two associate pastors before calling our next full-time pastor, it seemed unorthodox. As in all things, the Lord knew just what we needed.
These associate pastors provided stability as we had to call a pastor twice in three years, and now look toward calling again.
In May of 2014, we installed Pastor Steven F. Miller. He came on just after Pastor Bruce Backensto retired. The following February, Pastor Miller began to notice a loss of sensation in his legs. In May he was diagnosed with ALS. For the next year, he continued to minister to us in every way he could, eventually preaching from a wheelchair in front of the pulpit. He was determined to use his gifts for the Lord as long as he could. In April 2015, he resigned his position as pastor. He and his wife, Jane, returned to their farm in Volant, Pa.
Photo Courtesy of Jane Miller
We learned a lot during this time. Our church banded together and raised over $60,000 to renovate the manse to make it handicap accessible. This included a large addition, first-floor bathroom and bedroom, and a ramp. Unfortunately, time was not on our side and the Millers did not get to enjoy the addition. Through everything, we learned how to minister to a pastor.
(Pastor Miller entered his eternal rest in July of 2018. His wife, Jane, plans to continue work on the book he had begun before his passing.)
That fall (2015), we began the canidating process again. In December 2016, we called Pastor Lucas Hanna to be our pastor. His family had been considering serving full-time on the mission field in South Sudan. After an exploratory trip, they realized it wasn’t yet a good fit for the entire family, but South Sudan was still on their hearts. Pastor Hanna committed to spending 4-6 weeks at least twice a year on the mission field training indigenous pastors and helping in any other way possible.
For most churches, this would be a less-than-ideal situation, but First RPC already had two associate pastors! With that in mind, he was called to pastor our church with the understanding that for at least two months out of the year, he would be on the mission field. He was installed in July 2017 after returning from his second solo trip to Africa.
In January 2018, Associate Pastor Matt Filbert began in a half-time role, filling in for Pastor Hanna during the majority of his trips. Pastor Tim McClain continues to be a tent-maker while preaching at the Reformed Presbyterian Home twice a month and leading Bible studies out of his home.
Without us realizing it, the Lord had placed us in the perfect symbiosis between ministering to the church at home and the church worldwide.
In October 2019, the Global Missions Board of the RPCNA issued a call to the Hanna family to return to the field in South Sudan full-time. After much prayer and consideration, they decided to accept the call.
In 2020, for the third time in 6 years, we will hopefully be calling another pastor. As in all things, the Lord will provide, and we are thankful for His provision.
Nearly 130 people gathered at the church tonight for a sending service for our pastor and his family as they prepare to head to the mission field in South Sudan.
Pastor Lucas Hanna and his family were joined by his parents, friends from near and far, a member of the Global Mission Board, members of previous congregations, and his church family for this service.
Associate Pastor Matt Filbert preached from Acts 13:1-3 about the setting apart of servants for missionary service. Our congregation recognizes that the Hannas are answering the Lord’s call on their life, and we commit to praying for them and supporting them and look forward to hearing their reports from the mission field.
Eastvale RPC Pastor Micah Ramsey, who is a close friend of Lucas’s, gave the charge to the Hanna family. It was an emotional charge where Pastor Ramsey reminded them of the need to shepherd their family as well as those on the mission field. One child of the congregation said, “I really thought Pastor Ramsey was going to convince them not to go.” But despite our personal emotions, we know they need to answer God’s call.
The Hanna family was called to the front where Elder David Schaefer led in the commissioning prayer. Elders from around the denomination laid on hands.
After Associate Pastor Tim McClain gave the benediction, there was hardly a dry eye in the house.
Fellowship was enjoyed over dessert refreshments provided by the social committee.
Please continue to pray for the Hannas and the mission in S. Sudan.
It was announced last week that Pastor Hanna and his family will be accepting a call to serve on the mission field in Africa. This will begin as a three-year commitment.
Pastor will continue in his work of training indigenous pastors and will care for the other mission team members. They will join another young family and will depart as early as January.
The congregation has been greatly blessed by their ministry and will miss them dearly. Please pray for the church and our pastor during this time of transition.
