Pennsylvania: Opportunity Awaits!

In 2016, we were preparing for a mission trip to New York. Plans were in motion, details were arranged—until suddenly, they weren’t. Suddenly, we were left scrambling to organize an alternative for twenty youth. As we sifted through camp options and mission trip packages, we paused to ask God to lead us. That’s when an unexpected email changed everything. John Barkley, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Butler, Pennsylvania, responded to an inquiry I’d sent out in search of a new direction. One closed door led to another wide open—and since then, Little River Baptist has partnered with Hillcrest Baptist every summer for mission work.

Each trip has brought its own set of adventures. We’ve tackled church renovations, parking lot repairs, and local outreach. Our team has helped with home repairs, food ministries, and homeless shelters. In 2024, we replaced the church roof at Hillcrest. We have ministered in apartment complexes and at the local YWCA, teaching, preaching, and sharing the hope of the Gospel.

Yet, it is the relationships that have had the most lasting impact. Over the years, bonds have formed that feel more like family than partnership. Many of our adult volunteers affectionately refer to Butler as a “second home.” The camaraderie we share continues to grow deeper each year. We’ve seen God move powerfully—both in our lives and in the lives of those we’ve served. We’ve prayed bold prayers and seen them answered, like the gift of a downtown church building that expanded outreach to the underserved. We’ve watched God hold back storms long enough to finish the day’s ministry. We’ve received overwhelming kindness from those we came to serve, reminding us again and again of God’s faithfulness. Our teens have learned that God uses the willing. They’ve experienced unity that only the Gospel can bring—one that transcends age, geography, and background.

After Hurricane Helene devastated my sister’s home, Pastor John and his crew from Hillcrest didn’t hesitate. They drove down to help, removing debris, tearing out walls, hauling mud, and praying with every person they encountered. This summer, we’ll see them again as the rebuilding continues.

“For such a time as this.” God orchestrated this partnership so that two churches—separated by more than 500 miles— could experience the power of unified Gospel work and Christlike love. What began as a disrupted plan has become a treasured ministry. – Pastor Marc Reynolds, Little River Baptist Church

Baptist on Mission’s partnership with Pennsylvania Baptists began in 2007. Each fall, requests are posted for teams to view and respond. Outreach events, children’s ministry, and construction needs can all be found on the projects list, found here.

Pray about how God might use your congregation to serve others.

It could be a one-time mission opportunity – or one your church invests in for several years. In either case, you and your congregation will be richly blessed!