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In order to make an impact on your local community, people have to know you are there. Pathway Community Church in York, Pa., learned this during the construction of their new building in 2002. “It was like saying to our neighborhood, ‘here we are,’” explains head pastor, John Cressman.

Having met in rented spaces since the church’s inception in [year], Pathway didn’t just gain “a place of its own” when it moved into its new building. Rather, it has enhanced the congregation’s outward focus. “The building has helped give us an identity in this area,” explains Cressman.  “We are a local church, very focused on doing service projects and acts of kindness in our own neighborhood.”

“From giveaways, free (un)yard sales, and service projects in downtown York, the sky is the limit for service projects we have done,” shares Cressman. Pathway regularly distributes fun items such as soft pretzels, free Italian ice certificates, and seasonal specific things, which often bear the church’s name. A building helps the community put a ‘face’ to the name.

The creative force behind these projects is local service coordinator, Kathy Riley King, who “finally got it, at age 40, that we were put on this earth to serve others,” she shares; and ever since has been brainstorming new ways to “surprise people with service projects—not just your ordinary car wash—that show God’s love letter to the world.”

“Since we have been able to have an actual church building we have a home,” shares Riley King.  “We actually have people we consider our neighbors and friends—we can cultivate a relationship with the neighborhood.” Pathway will be holding a service on Trimmer Elementary School’s property, right down from the church building, and asking everyone who attends to bring a box of tissues.  “That is something that every elementary school runs out of,” laughs Riley King.

Outside of service projects in the community the church recently held a large (un)yard sale on the church property—inviting individuals to come and pick out a bag full of items for free. “I thought that only our neighbors would come, but we had a number of individuals from all over,” shares Riley King. “One man who had taken a large winter coat looked me in the eye and said, ‘Thank you for the coat; I really needed this.’”

Pathway began building after taking a loan out with the BICF. “Working with the Foundation has just been another thing displaying what it means to be under a BIC covering—it’s like family, a support network,” says Cressman. “I would never recommend a church over-extend themselves, but I don’t think the Foundation would want that either,” Cressman continues, “and I believe they would help a church sit down and think through what would work best for them.”

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Last Modified on July 28, 2008 | Brethren in Christ Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.