The Beginning Years… |
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Exeter Bible Church, Located in eastern Berks County, Pennsylvania recognizes its purpose in God’s plan to be a witness to His Word. That witness is proclaimed each week from its pulpit. It is echoed daily in the classrooms of its ministry in Berks Christian School. It reverberates around the world through the message of its missionaries. It is heard from the witness of its members and friends. Seventy-two years ago, in 1933, a small group met for services on the porch of a home on Jefferson St. in Birdsboro. The little group meet in a storefront room at the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue . Rental was a result of the need for repairs. Redecorating was accomplished by the members who then purchased used theater seats and a few small chairs for a small adjoining room, which became the only Sunday school room. The meeting place had no running water or indoor restroom facilities. A dilapidated coal furnace gave off heat and fumes. But the approximately twenty people who gathered there were thankful for a comfortable meeting place Individual initiative replaced trained leadership, which the group believed to be unaffordable at that time. Dick Seidel, George Quell, and Jim Ruoss taught the adult Sunday school class, fitting their teaching around changing work schedules. Lester Grubb preached in the Sunday evening services. A strong family relationship endured among the attendees of the little storefront mission. A new chapter in the church’s history began in 1946. Pastor Clarence Didden of Limerick Chapel was asked to conduct Wednesday evening sessions for Sunday school teachers. At first other churches sent their teachers to participate. Eventually, the Bible studies became the ministry to only the mission itself. Pastor Didden continued this ministry for twelve years, often with groups of less than ten attendees, and an offering of less than $10. But a close tie developed between the mission and the teacher. Through his advice and counsel some changes were made at the little storefront mission. The name of the group was changed to Birdsboro Gospel Church. |
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Birth of Exeter Bible Church |
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In August 1958, newly weds Bernard & Patricia Didden began there ministry with the Birdsboro Gospel Church as Pastor. Pastor Bernard Didden had experienced a call to the gospel ministry in the summer of 1955. That fall he changed his course of study at Bob Jones University from accounting, and became a “preacher boy” as part of what was called “ The world’s largest ministerial class.” He accepted the call from the church during his senior year of studies at Bob Jones University. After a quarter century of virtually no numerical growth, the members of the church were delighted when the attendance leaped to 80 by the following Christmas. Plans were underway to purchase a new church building. The present location in Exeter Township was purchased in early 1959. The two and one half acres of land on which the church buildings are located was the first acquisition. Additional acquisitions of adjoining properties through the years have brought the church’s land holdings to over 10 acres on four and one-half blocks.
The first service of the Exeter Bible Church conducted in its own building was held on May 8, 1960. The dedication serviced featured the Reverend Glen Lehman, the National Executive Secretary of the Independent Fundamental Churches of America. The church, which had changed its name to better describe its nature and location, had become a part of the national organization of independent churches. The vision for further growth and development began to take form when a building committee was appointed in 1968. The Board of Directors envisioned the need for a facility that could accommodate a worship service of 500 people and Sunday school space for an additional 500 children. During 1971 two building projects were conducted simultaneously. The main church building as well as the church office building. Over the years, additional staff were used by God to minister to the needs of the growing work. After working with the music program in the church and at Berks Christian School, Rick Knarr became the Youth Pastor for nearly 18 years. Pastor Rick is presently the Senior Pastor at Hope Community Church. Bob Sloan, before becoming Senior Pastor at Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, served as both Assistant Pastor and Administrator at Berks Christian School. Wayne Rissmiller, now the Senior Pastor of Schuylkill Valley Bible Church was first EBC Pastor of Young Adults, Kathy Amar, a BCS teacher, ministered to Children’s Ministries before she and her husband, Steve, became missionaries to Iranians in the Washington, D.C. area. Ernie Becker was used by the Lord as Minister of Outreach for many years before his retirement. Presently, Associate Pastor Jim Smith continues his ministry begun here in 1987, and Youth Pastor Josh Monda arrived in 1999 to work with young people and their families. |
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Berks Christian School |
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The idea that Exeter Bible Church could sponsor a Christian School was expressed in a resolution passed by the Board of Deacons on March 1, 1972. The congregation voted to approve the project of starting a school as a ministry of Exeter Bible Church with the cooperation of Accelerated Christian Education in the spring of 1976. A special offering of $2,000 gave the school its initial thrust, and Berks Christian School opened its doors the following September with an enrollment of 96. In the early 1980’s an education building section was proposed and built to expanse the school and church ministries. Today, Berks Christian School continues to provide Christian parents a school with high academics, quality fine arts, competitive sports, and a place where the Biblical Christian Worldview is taught. |
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Present Day… |
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Following Pastor Didden’s resignation from the pastorate, the Elders established a Pastoral Search Committee to search for and recommend to the Membership of the Church a new Senior Pastor. In 2003 the Church called Pastor David Klase to the ministry as Senior Pastor of Exeter Bible Church. Following much prayer and discerning God’s direction, Pastor Klase accepted the call to shepherd Exeter Bible Church. |
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Our Future… |
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Is yet to be written. In the spring of 2005, after praying, fasting and discussing, the elders established the L.E.A.D.ership Training Institute in order to better prepare men for leadership in the Church, and to dramatically immerse men and women, as well as young people into the Word of God. Two modules were established: “Men Mentoring Men.” And “The Bible Survey.” Each Sunday evening the LTI meets at 6 P.M., and we are excited about the prospects of building both the Word of God and Godly character into as many of God’s people as possible. We want to be sufficiently equipped in and confident with the Word of God to obey Jesus who has instructed us to make disciples of Christ in our world during our generation. May God have all the glory! |
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