In June 2007, we entered the cities of Bellefonte and Zion, PA. This began our first assignment in the area—to encourage and intercede for a local pastor, his wife, and the congregation who were going through some major turmoil. God was also training us. Once we completed that assignment, God gave us the next step.
In January 2008, God led us to contact several PA, DMV, and OH Leaders to participate with young adult leaders from around the globe in the development of our Holy Spirit led curriculum standards. The standards in part were developed and completed in May of 2008 as a Master Thesis at Harvard University on Holy Spirit-Led Leadership. Afterwards, we continued coming into and interceding for the Centre PA region and building relationships.
In January 2011 the Word of the Lord came again: “go advance the Kingdom of God in a greater measure through strategic apostolic and prophetic prayer, intercession, and spiritual warfare; build other Holy Spirit-led partnerships and other collaborative relationships; and equip leaders and disciples to do the work of the Ministry of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit”. Based on the curriculum standards, God instructed us to pilot and build an intra-generational intercessory prayer, leadership, and discipleship team from various congregations, communities, and college campus leaders to help do this great work.
Since 2011, we have hosted, conducted, and participated in numerous intercessory prayer and leadership training gatherings in the State College/Bellefonte/Zion area. God did not call us to “plant a church” but to come alongside the church (the people of God) and be a blessing by imparting and releasing what God has given to us.
Bellefonte, PA Is Blossoming and Blooming!
According to John 3:16, God loves PEOPLE. He wants to bless people and bless their families, cities, and nations. And God’s hearts desires is to bless them through His Church (the people of God). Although a lot of opposition, rejection, and misunderstandings often come up against us and what we are called to do, God continues to grace us and strengthen us through it all. As we have kept our eyes on Jesus, we are now seeing the fruit of our labor; especially in the city of Bellefonte, PA. Let’s take a look.
Bellefonte, PA, is the seat of government for Centre PA and home of five Pennsylvania governors, was once a very industrial, prosperous, progressive, compassionate, and thriving, community. It was also part of the Underground Railroad, a safe haven and a place of freedom for runaway slaves. As such, it was a multi-racial and multi-cultural community. In fact, its school was integrated 70 years before desegregation became law in the United States.
However, when we entered into Bellefonte in 2007, we saw very little racial or cultural diversity, many businesses had left, it was plagued with religious mindsets, and there were no active Holy Spirit-filled churches. According to two local pastors, there was a spirit of oppression and depression hovering over the area. In addition, in 2011 the region was under a dark cloud as a result of the Penn State/Sandusky child molestation scandal.
Yet, God’s commission to us was “go advance the Kingdom of God in this area”. When there is a problem, God always has a solution. What He needs is a person who is willing to be obedient and to join Him in what He desires to do in the hearts of the people and in a community, city, or nation. As we obeyed, look at what the Lord did!
Pastor John Pavlica, former senior pastor of Living Hope Alliance Church spoke at our 2015, 2016, and 2017 Jesus, the Healer II, Jesus, the Intercessor and Jesus, the Faithful One respectively, PA Leadership Gatherings. He gave powerful testimonies and video presentations of how his life, his church, his leadership, and the Bellefonte community was being transformed as a result of God sending us into the Bellefonte area. Before connecting with the NewB® Leadership Center in 2014, Pastor John was packing his boxes to walk away from his church and the city God had sent him to. As a result of our mentorship, prayers, training, and the healing of his heart, things started transforming in and around him and his congregation. For example:
- Pastor John remained as the Senior Pastor of Living Hope Alliance Church*
- Church leadership team was healed in their hearts (spirits) and souls (minds, wills and emotions)
- Church leadership team started praying, became united, and stood behind the vision of the church
- Congregation grew and thrived in the Word and the supernatural things of the Holy –Spirit
- Church started doing outreach in the local park, school, and low income housing developments
- Congregation grew into a multi-racial and multicultural congregation
- 30+ people converted to Jesus and baptized in 3 years
- Kid’s club grew from 1 child to 30+ children and started meeting weekly
- Youth ministry established and thriving
- People experienced signs, wonders, miracles, and healings
- Pastor John started meeting and mentoring other Pastors in the things of the Spirit
As we stayed in line with the commission and mandate God gave us for the area and did only what He said, we are watching not only a local congregation being transformed, but the city of Bellefonte, PA as well:
- God has prepared the way and for other Holy-Spirit filled leaders, congregations and ministries to come in and flourish
- Businesses are returning and flourishing
- Affordable Housing is being built inside the city
- Multi-races and multi-cultures are coming into the city
- Sexual predators jailed (We pray for them, their, salvation and healing as well)
- The Spring River is flowing freely!
*Note: Pastor John Pavlica, after 9 years of serving as the Senior Pastor of Living Hope and the community of Bellefonte, PA accepted a position June 2018 as the Senior Pastor of Union Bible Church in Union NJ. He said “I am taking what I have learned from New Beginnings Leadership Center and plan to implement it into my new beginnings at Union Bible Church and the surrounding Union community.”
We are believing God for a total revival and transformation of the Bellefonte Community. Join us in the Work!
True and lasting transformation starts with Jesus Christ and His Church…
The people of God…from the inside out….
“If you are willing and obedient you will eat the fruit of the land” (Isaiah 1:19)