Godly Men…

Through the assistance of Dr. Scheide and others, experienced speakers were brought to minister God’s Word to the church. After searching, Peter Hook, the Chairman of Pastoral Studies of the Philadelphia College of Bible, was appointed as first interim pastor. Tom Allen, our second interim pastor, was introduced by family members who were involved with the church from its very early days. He was an exceptional teacher, fostering excitement about the work of God. Our third interim pastor, Herb Mitchell, came to us after retiring as Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Maple Shade, NJ. With great zeal for the Lord, Herb Mitchell used his gift of encouragement and years of experience to bring consistent Bible teaching to the quickly growing ministry.

A number of speakers were brought to the church as the pastoral search committee looked for the right man. One of the first candidates was Pastor Scheide who had become so excited by the work God was doing that he gave a great deal of thought and prayer to the possibility of accepting the call as full-time pastor. Although highly qualified, this move was not in God’s plan, and the search continued. Another candidate, Dr. Donald Eade, was approached and was very well received by the congregation. However, before he could be asked to serve, God called him to the mission field. In the midst of this disappointment, God directly intervened again.

During the same week that Dr. Eade received that position, Ron Brucker received a call from Pastor Scheide stating that, “There is someone at Word of Life that you need to consider.” After two messages and a short candidacy, it was apparent that God had brought Fellowship Bible Church its full-time pastor. For one-and-one-half years, Fellowship Bible Church had waited for God to provide the right man. For the same amount of time God had burdened that man with the desire to seek out a church ministry. God’s perfect timing prepared His ministry for His man and His man for His ministry. After a unanimous vote Philip Moser was invited in as Fellowship Bible Church’s first full-time pastor. With a burden for this congregation and a dedication towards teaching the Word of God, Pastor Phil has become an important tool in the continuing growth with which Fellowship Bible Church has been blessed.

As attendance has steadily increased at Fellowship Bible, God has made clear, at appropriate times, the need for additional pastoral help. One of those times came even before we entered our new building. As God has done so many times in the past, He lifted up a man from within the congregation who was already serving on the Deacon Board. With flexibility and humility, Pastor Hal Russell quickly turned his compassion and care into practical help, establishing and/or overseeing numerous ministries including adult Sunday school, evangelism outreach and visitation ministries.

Additional pastoral help has also come in the persons of Joe Schenke and Jack Klose. With an ever-increasing burden for the congregation and community at large, the leadership at Fellowship Bible was strongly led to address the need for a biblical counseling ministry. With just such a background, Pastor Joe Schenke was brought on staff in June of 2003. He has lovingly helped many from within our congregation, but also helps an increasing number of people who have no prior affiliation with our church. God has used Pastor Joe not just to address the needs of Fellowship Bible Church, but as another way in which we can minister to the people in our community.

Along with increasing membership came a wonderfully explosive growth in youth ministries. Our church has always benefited from the dedicated and tireless work of the volunteers, and this was certainly true of the way Paul and Kim Griffiths loved and led our teens. As word spread through the surrounding area, God brought ever-increasing numbers of youth to our doorstep. And, as in the past, He also provided a dedicated soul to assume the task of organizing Fellowship’s ministry to our youth. Pastor Jack Klose came on staff first part time in November of 2003, and then full time in July of 2004. With overwhelming support from a network of volunteer leaders, Fellowship Bible’s various youth ministries continue to thrive as God uses them to touch the lives of youths from all types of backgrounds.