The elders of Penn Valley Church, a Grace Brethren church in Telford, Pa. have reached an agreement with Suburban Grace Brethren Church of Hatboro, Pa. to join forces, establishing one congregation using multiple locations.
As a result of the agreement, Suburban Grace Brethren Church voted to dissolve their corporation and merge with Penn Valley Church, creating a multi-site ministry designed to strengthen the evangelism outreach of both churches.
Penn Valley Church Executive Pastor Larry Orme cited the church’s regional church-planting initiative, “Impact 21”, as laying a favorable groundwork for the merger.
“Our goals in local mission have been an ongoing effort to reach the Boston-to-Washington corridor of the United States with an aggressive church-planting, multi-site, multi-venue outreach,” he said. “We believe joining with the Suburban congregation enhances this outreach effort immensely.”
Pastor Al Kidder of Suburban Grace Brethren Church believes the merger “was an answer to many years of prayer by our members for developing a more effective core group for the church in its efforts to reach Bucks County for Christ.”
The present elder board and staff of Penn Valley Church will provide oversight to both ministry locations. The Bucks County campus, formerly the Suburban Grace Brethren Church, will be led by Pastor Tony Osimo and Worship Leader Wade Rininger.
Current Suburban Grace Brethren Church Pastor Al Kidder has resigned and is moving to a new position as pastor of the Kenai, Alaska Grace Brethren Church effective July 1, 2007.
