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.
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