Christian Ministry
JOHN 15:5
October 24, 2017
Dear Brother’s & Sister’s in Christ,
Another year has passed since I have written to you about the foundation and vision of our congregation. God continues to bless us, and give us a hope for the future. The Vine Christian Ministry is a blessing to our community, as we continue to reach out, and serve our community. This past year, we served our neighbors through Everlasting Life Ministries, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter dinner. We sent shoeboxes filled with toys for children overseas through Operation Christmas Child. We have baked hundreds of cookies to assist with the annual Allentown Rescue Mission Spaghetti Dinner. We raised funds for the warming station to assist our homeless neighbors in Allentown, during the harsh winter months. We have supported missionaries to Guatemala, and the ministries of CRU on Kutztown and Lehigh University Campuses. We have opened our counseling services to assist in saving marriages, and freeing the oppressed from anxiety and depression. We have assisted people in our community by assisting to complete their simple income tax forms for 2016, through our tax prep service. We have assisted in visiting those who have lost loved ones, freeing those that find themselves in the grip of addiction, and we have ministered to the children in our community, while also reaching out to those who are incarcerated. We have actively served out of faith in Jesus Christ, by being His hands and feet in our community. He is our Hope and Firm Foundation!
As another year comes into view, we must count our blessings, and focus on the mission that Christ is calling us. On Sunday, Nov 12, 2017 after the Worship Service at 7:30pm we will have our annual congregational meeting. At this meeting the next year’s budget will be presented, as well as our Church Council for your approval. The good news is that The Vine Christian Ministry is financially stable, and our dedicated leaders are willing to continue to serve in the ministry. Our new chapel and conference room appears to be meeting our needs as we grow and continue to expand our mission to the community. All of this could not have been done without your continued prayers and support. We also are continuing our conversations with the Wesleyan Church denomination for an affiliation status.
In view of a new year of service to our community, it is my vision as your Pastor that The Vine Christian Ministry take the next year of service to continue to grow and reach out to our community. It is my desire to see The Vine Christian Ministry as a Counseling and Worship Center that impacts the community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To do this we must focus on a few things in the coming year.
- Continue to fellowship and worship Jesus together, for He is our Firm Foundation!
- Design and engage the community with programs that present the Gospel in a simple manner. – Celebrate Recovery Group – Women in Missions
- Develop relationships with other Churches to impact our community.
-Affiliation with the Wesleyan Church Denomination.
-Equip new counselors to engage clients
-Explore new services to contract with providers, in Lehigh & Northampton County.
-Contract with other Licensed Counselors to accept insurance payments.
Through these actions and steps, we will secure our future, as a ministry to the community that makes a changing impact and brings people Hope through a saving relationship in Jesus Christ. Thanks again for your partnership in this ministry.
Your Brother in Christ,
Rev. Andrew Reitenauer, MA, MATS, BCPC, BCCC
2200 Hamilton St., Suite 325, Allentown, PA 18103, phone 484-515-8753,
Email: