Grace Baptist Church, 1553 Columbia Avenue, in Tyrone is pleased to announce that Dr. Milo Thompson, President of “Christ Way Ministries”, will be the guest speaker for the first weekend of special events to mark the 135th anniversary of the congregation.
Thompson will speak at the anniversary dinner, Saturday, October 21, 6:30 p.m., at the Tyrone Area High School Cafeteria. It will be a “Pot-luck” dinner with the church providing the ham, dessert and drink; Individuals are asked to bring a favorite side dish to share. Guests are warmly invited to come to the dinner. Make a reservation by calling the church office at 684-5016 as soon as possible. (Leave a message if you get the answering machine).
The evening theme for the dinner will be looking back with “thankfulness” for God’s grace that has preserved the church’s witness for the Lord Jesus Christ through 135 years in the heart of Tyrone; as well as looking forward with Christ’s “vision” to shape the future years that will take the congregation to a deeper Christ-like spirituality and fruitfulness in its witness to the community of Tyrone, if Jesus should tarry.
Testimonies and music will also highlight the evening program. Thompson will speak at both the 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. service on Sunday, October 22.
Grace is also pleased that State Rep. Jerry Stern and Tyrone Borough Vice President, Bill Latchford will share in this service to present the Congregation with Recognition Certificates to mark the church’s milestone. Please note that for this Sunday there will be no 8:15 a.m. service or Sunday Bible Study Classes due to the special starting time of 10 a.m. The normal schedule will resume the following week: 8:15 a.m. early worship; 9:30 a.m. Bible classes for all ages and the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
There will be a special children’s worship service for children three years old through fifth grade with “Handi The Clown” and his trusty assistant “Strawberry” for the 10 a.m. Anniversary service. Nursery Care will also be provided for infants and toddlers. Parents should arrive early to get their children situated at the designated place before the service.
Guests are always welcome at Grace. For further information call the church office at 684-5016. The church is located across from East End Pizza on Columbia Avenue.
Dr. Milo Thompson has the reputation of highest integrity having been a servant of Christ for over 50 years. Though aged in his early 70’s Thompson is as articulate, intellectual and relevant as any Evangelical Christian thinker today. Roy Garthwaite, Pastor of Grace, characterizes Thompson’s life and ministry influence, “Although he would not look at himself this way, Thompson has been described as a ‘leader of leaders’ among his peers throughout his life and ministry career. Wherever Dr. Thompson goes he has been a catalyst for fresh thinking, leading others to rethink the way we’ve always done it.”
He is not only a most articulate and illustrative speaker, his is a life that speaks with the wise balance of truth and love, which is the most important rudder to steer the church by today.
Thompson’s ministry career has included Pastoring Churches in NY and PA. He has served as the State Representative of an Association of Churches in the state of New York and currently, part time, in Florida. Dr. Thompson just prior to becoming an Itinerate Conference Speaker and President of Christ Way Ministries served for fifteen years as the President of Baptist Bible College and Seminary. This Christian Ministry College and Seminary, is located in Clarks Summit, PA. Under his Presidency, this College with fifty years of history faced the philosophical changes necessary to offer an education that is Biblical, academic and relevant spiritually to our times. As a result of these changes, the College and Seminary continue to enjoy unprecedented growth in student enrollment, and a greater “practicality” in the ministry training of future leadership to the world wide Christian Mission.
