Community Leader Survey 2

Please enter your zip code: 19702

Nominate One Organization in each of the following categories:

(Those that represent the BEST of our community during the past year)

Education Provider

(School, College, Day Care, After School, Educational Service or Business)

WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY

Health Care Provider

(Hospital, Clinic, Doctor’s Office, Medical Service or Business)

WILMINGTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

Recreation

(Parks, Fields, Facility, Organization, League)

DELCASTLE RECREATION PARK

Business the Gives Back

(Contributes to the community with funds or other support)

WSFS

Restaurant or Coffee Shop

JASMINE'S

NonProfit & Charitable

(Local Foundations, Non Profits, Charities, and Benefit Drives)

A DOOR OF HOPE

Public Service

(Any local service operated by government- library, police, fire...)

Culture, Arts, and Historic Enrichment

(Museums...)

LONGWOOD GARDENS

The Greatest thing about our community is:

ITS LOCATION WITH SO MUCH TO DO

If there is one area in which our community needs to improve it is:

CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY REACHING OUT TO "ADVERTISE" THE GOSPEL

In our community, I think the following areas pose the greatest challenge:

(Pick up to 5)

Financial Pressure

Substance Abuse

Affordable Housing

Crime/Violence

Sense of Permanence

Stress

Education

Cultural Tolerance

Jobs

Traffic

Discrimination

Professional Development

Teen Resources

Immigration

Lack of Public Services

Marriage and Relationships

Job Security

Time Pressure

Single Parent Resources

Childcare

Loneliness

Public Transportation

Gangs

Resources for Low Income Families

Cost of Living

Negative Media

Health Care

Sense of Community

Support for Charity

Other: Loss of focus on values/morality

The One thing that would make family life better in our community is:

LIVING BY CHRISTIAN MORALS/VALUES AND BIBLICAL TEACHINGS

I am concerned about what is going to happen in the future with:

OUR FAMILIES

A new affordable service that would really help us is:

PARENT TRAINING- although not sure how "affordable"

A service that really needs to be improved it:

HOUSING FOR WOMEN IN NEED

Comments on any of the above questions:

If we do not reach out to our community with the Gospel and Biblical teaching on all the above issues, no services, no matter how perfectly set up and administered, will have any permanent effect or bring about any permanent change

Community Leader Survey 1

Please enter your zip code: 19707

Nominate One Organization in each of the following categories:

(Those that represent the BEST of our community during the past year)

Education Provider

(School, College, Day Care, After School, Educational Service or Business)

INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL

Health Care Provider

(Hospital, Clinic, Doctor’s Office, Medical Service or Business)

CHRISTIANA HOSPITAL

Recreation

(Parks, Fields, Facility, Organization, League)

DELCASTLE RECREATION PARK

Business the Gives Back

(Contributes to the community with funds or other support)

MBNA

Restaurant or Coffee Shop

KIM'S CAFE

NonProfit & Charitable

(Local Foundations, Non Profits, Charities, and Benefit Drives)

AUTISM SOCIETY OF DE (AUTISM DE)

Public Service

(Any local service operated by government- library, police, fire...)

HOCKESSIN FIRE DEPARTMENT

Culture, Arts, and Historic Enrichment

(Museums...)

DE MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

The Greatest thing about our community is:

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

If there is one area in which our community needs to improve it is:

LACK OF CONNECTION AMONG THE NEIGHBORHOODS

In our community, I think the following areas pose the greatest challenge:

(Pick up to 5)

Financial Pressure

Substance Abuse

Affordable Housing

Crime/Violence

Sense of Permanence

Stress

Education

Cultural Tolerance

Jobs

Traffic

Discrimination

Professional Development

Teen Resources

Immigration

Lack of Public Services

Marriage and Relationships

Job Security

Time Pressure

Single Parent Resources

Childcare

Loneliness

Public Transportation

Gangs

Resources for Low Income Families

Cost of Living

Negative Media

Health Care

Sense of Community

Support for Charity

Other:

The One thing that would make family life better in our community is:

I am concerned about what is going to happen in the future with:

THE ECONOMY

A new affordable service that would really help us is:

A service that really needs to be improved it:

HEALTHCARE NEEDS TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE

Comments on any of the above questions:

Bill Ellis

I'm encouraged by the heart and realism presented by Bill in the class. My heart resonates with the philiosphy of ministry that he presents... we, as the church, are to be Christ incarnate to this world. We need to have a mindset that the words given to us to preach, teach or convey are for the purpose of life change, not just for sharing thoughts. God needs to do a work inside of me before He can use me to accomplish His work in this world. "Change me, oh God."

When the church plant began, there were only a couple dozen people involved. It's difficult to reach a community before a "critical mass" is formed within the church. Not impossible, but difficult. It is amazing at what a group, growing in numbers and momentum, can do for the kingdom of God. One of the ways they set out to grow was to be welcoming to those people that were on the perimeter of their faith.

Not all people who follow Christ are Christians. They are interested in what Christ was offering, but may not have made a commitment to place Him as Lord over their lives. Many people are in this position along their journey. Which is probably why, when Jesus told his followers that they must eat of his flesh and drink of his blood, there were many that were quick to walk away. Or when the crowds had gathered to celebrate their new king (palm Sunday) the scriptures say that there were many that had gathered because of the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Followers are not necessarily partakers. It is not our responsibility to save people, it is our responsibility to go and make followers, students of Christ who would desire to journey with Him.

Everything was going well with the discussion in the class, and then, all of a sudden, the questions changed to be politically focused. Totally lost my connection to the discussion.

Until the end, when things got brought back around. (thank you)

Being the church is NOT about drawing a crowd... We are the incarnation of Jesus to this world. There are less than 20 percent attend church regularly, it's in steady decline. Ultimately, we need to stay FOCUSED ON THE MISSION. Which is more important- Getting people to come to church OR engage in community?

Part of a shift in the culture where people are looking for genuine people that Get it.

Let's Get it!

Dan Miller

Back after the wonderful Windows XP computer crash... didn't even get the benefit of the proverbial "blue screen of death". Anyway, this post is not about the perils of Microsoft usage but my experience with the guest speaker, Dan Miller.

Pastor Miller is full of the transforming life of Christ. His commitment to evangelism has allowed him to transform the mission of the church to actually reach the community. His interest in making a difference in his town has put his church in the center of activity in the Back Mountian area of Pennsylvania.

"If your church was to close, would anyone, other than those that attend, even notice?" A tough question that we as the body of Christ needs to ask. Pastor Miller has stepped up to do more than just answer the question... he has placed their church in a position to make a difference. They built a multi-purpose community center that is staffed by Christians that are interested in living Jesus to those around. Actions speak louder! Get out there and live the life... BE Christians, so when the opportunity arises to share of His love, you are there.

The only thing that concerned me through the time together was the prayer line in the class. I understand the concept behind why, I just struggle with a person bringing a gift to impart anything on anyone. I can't discount this "gifting" because I personally have not experienced it, however, it's my understanding that the gifts and blessings from God are imparted on us through the Holy Spirit... perhaps he was simply being some form of conduit... regardless, it is something that I have not completely come to peace with... I am encouraged by his boldness to impress upon the next generation the very spirit of God.

Gerry Stoltzfoos

From the very start of the interview I was captivated by his real passion for helping people experience Jesus. Essentially being let go from his Amish family because of his honest persuit of the work of God in his life shapes the personality of Gerry Stoltzfoos in the ministry. It's about God and the people He loves. Throughout the interview I continued to go back to the thoughts surrounding his conversion from the Amish society he grew up in. Being "different" for God kept them from reaching out to others with the love of God. People couldn't get past the peculiarity of the Amish to ever hear the message that was burning in his heart.

WHY?

Fast forward to today... Pastor Gerry and the leadership at Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is reaching beyond the traditions to connect with those that might not be able to get past the peculiarity often found in churches. Personally, I had held to a poor opinion of some of the people that I had noticed were drawn to a couple of the ministries they have at Freedom Valley... until I heard him speak... When I heard about his life experiences in being alienated I began to recognize the people that he was specifically designed to minister to.

Funny, sad actually, how we can form opinions far before we know anything about what God is doing. We are blessed in the Penn-Del District to have such a spirit-led and motivated man of God in leadership.

New Believer Two

Ever just have a good friend looking out for you? That's the experience that Mark had. It all started after being invited and attending church with his friend Dan, the third time. There had to be more than just words in that book that made the difference, and it wasn't exactly what was said in church that day, but how it was said that made sense- "it just clicked".

He said he remembers the thing that helped him make that first step "over the line" to start his journey was how happy everyone was for him to be a part of the family. Knowing that there is so much more to life than just the here and now has been the best part of the decision to follow Christ. We are a part of something much bigger than what we know. By the way, it's encouraging to hear him talk like this about the church.

The most difficult part of the journey is continuing to focus on the big picture when things get down and out. Holding on to faith and remembering what love feels like when things are tough is really hard for Mark. He said that is the case for his friends and family too. But helping others make it through situations that have broken them down or hurt them and then seeing them become stronger with the wisdom God is showing them is something that has enabled him to grow the most in his faith. Some of his core life values are service and mercy. It's been great to see these gifts God has given him become further used in helping him along the way.

His advice for pastors? Don't be pushy, let them know you are there for them and let them come to you. They'll be more likely to listen to what needs to be heard and see that God has always been with them that way.

All in all, it's good to be a godly friend... after all, that's the way it started for him.

Jimmy Rivera

Meet the pastor of Allentown... Pastor Jim Rivera!

For 16 years at City Limits Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania Pastor Jim has energetically pursued the work of God. A former addict, 26 years clean!!!, he is now reclaiming territory stolen by the enemy and bringing victory to the people of this city through the power of the Holy Spirit. His plan has been pretty simple: Get out there! "Always present, always visible, always out there". He said "I'm not leaving there (Allentown)... It'll be in a box or in the rapture!" Obviously Pastor Jim is passionate about the task God has given him.

All of this passion has lead him to develop an outreach called the U-Turn Project. It's four part mission is to help people in the city to Dream about their future, Challenge them to grow beyond their circumstances, impress God given Vision for their life, and instill Hope when things seem hopeless. A major focus is enabling people to become free from the pain and false security of gang involvement. By living the love of God, Christ centered mentoring, and Holy Spirit driven outreach, Pastor Jimmy and City Limits Church is successfully bringing people from the crowd into the circle where life to it's fullest!

What shouts the loudest from this interview and from knowing Pastor Jim over the years? Calling... Calling... Calling...

When God Calls, and we are certain and obedient, He builds His Church and we find life...