Hello from rural McConnellsburg, PA. We moved from Fairhaven to McConnellsburg just over two years ago and helped in a church in the area. Recently we started Bible Baptist Church in July of 2019. The Lord never ceases to amaze us! As normal, things aren’t always easy, but being right where the Lord wants us has been the best place to be!
We have a small group of people that are eager to learn the Bible and serve the Lord. We started in a large wood shop with the children’s class in a hunting blind and moved into an old H & R Block storefront about 6 weeks later. We were blessed with finances not only to rent the building but to purchase our first bus, which will run for the first time this week or next! We were blessed with many donations from members and people in the community, including a beautiful baby grand piano, nice church chairs, kids tables and chairs, dry erase and chalk boards and so much more. The Lord has provided every need and much more!
Before the frost hit, we had our first baptism (outdoors) with 3 taking that next step, including our daughter, Alexia.
As the Christmas season came to a close, we looked back rejoicing how the Lord blessed us with an opportunity to do a live nativity with animals, in our small town’s Festival of Lights. About 1,800 tracts with goody bags were passed out as people walked through to hear the Christmas carols as they entered manger scene. It was very neat to see children’s eyes pop with amazement as they saw a more realistic version of the true meaning of Christmas! Our local camel, owned by one of our church men, was a hit! On Christmas Sunday, the kids did a great job in their first Christmas program.
Our first missions conference will be held at the end of January. Our Christmas offering is going toward being a blessing to a few missionaries. We are excited to see how the Lord will work and encourage their hearts as well as ours. Our vision for the year is having 20/20 vision in every aspect of life based on the Bible. Please pray with us as we move forward seeking the Lord’s direction and provision of a permanent church building and location.
Thank you for your prayers!
Jim, Bethany, Alexia and Alyssa Leslie