Northeastern US Missions
Gospel Advocate To Every Elder And Preacher
Each month the Gospel Advocate magazine is sent to every preacher and every elder in Churches of Christ in the nine northeastern states. The White Rock Fund provides a grant to the Warwick Church of Christ, Warwick, Rhode Island for these subscriptions. The nine northeastern states are:
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT
Ron Saracino is minister of youth and personal evangelism at the Trumbull Church of Christ. He is enthusiastic in conducting home Bible studies, sharing the gospel of Christ in an area that includes Trumbull (population 34,000), Bridgeport (140,000), Fairfield (58,000), Milford (54,000), Shelton (39,000), Naugatuck (32,000), Monroe (20,000) and Easton (7,500). The Trumbull congregation is one of only two faithful Churches of Christ in Fairfield County (population over 900,000) and is located 60 miles from New York City and 60 miles from Hartford. A recent graduate of Sunset International Bible Institute, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and four children are making a difference for Christ.
CARIBOU, MAINE
Jay Repecko, a graduate of Sunset International Bible Institute, and his wife, Florence, are working with the church in Caribou, Maine. Over 40,000 people live within an hour of the church building. Friendly, assertive and positive in his outreach, Jay constantly looks for those receptive to the gospel message. The Caribou congregation numbers around 15 members and is the only Church of Christ in the entire area
ITHACA, NEW YORK
Arthur Barry and his wife, Sandra, moved from Alaska to work with the Finger Lakes Church of Christ in Ithaca, New York. The small but growing congregation is located in a large populated area (almost 300,000 people live in the four counties served by the church) with four important universities (including Cornell University). Outreach involves campus ministry and a prison ministry in addition to evangelism of the community. The church is remaining faithful to the teachings of the New Testament in doctrine, worship and practice.
POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK
Dennis and Susan Rosenbaum serve the Mid-Hudson Church of Christ in Poughkeepsie, NY. The church is making great strides, especially through its “Recovery Program” for individuals addicted to sinful behavior. Alcoholics, drug addicts and dealers, prostitutes and homosexuals are changing their life-styles to become Christians. Family members and others from the community are being brought to Christ as well.
The White Rock Fund provides a grant for the support of Dennis Rosenbaum. Dennis, who also serves as one of the congregation’s elders, writes: “It has been such a blessing to have The White Rock Fund’s help. You have made it possible that we could work here. With the increases that have taken place in the cost of fuel, your support has become more important than ever.”
TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT
A grant is provided for the support of Steve and Maryann Bastin, at the Greater Torrington Church of Christ in Connecticut.
The direct mailing of 5,000 pieces of “Straight Bible Talk” every quarter has contributed to the growth of the church. Once a year 16,000 copies are mailed to every address in the city. After meeting in a residence and later in a school, the church has moved into a permanent public facility. The area whose core city is Torrington, has a population in excess of 180,000. Steve is a graduate of Purdue University.JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Joe Keefer and his wife, Judy, moved to Johnston in 2003. Joe is a dedicated Christian leader who conducts home Bible studies, preaches the gospel and visits in the homes of members and non-members. Attendance at the Johnstown Church of Christ is climbing steadily upward as area residents are being baptized, and those who have gone astray are being restored to their first love. Joe is a graduate of East Tennessee School of Preaching.
NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT
Timothy and Renee Tarbet moved to Connecticut in 2004. The New Milford Church of Christ has demonstrated remarkable faithfulness to the Lord. The congregation numbers around 50 in attendance and is poised for growth in this Northwest area of the state. Past and future plans for evangelistic outreach include direct mail, Friends & Neighbors Days, Vacation Bible School, and several home Bible studies conducted on a weekly basis.
Tim is a graduate of Freed-Hardeman University and Lubbock Christian University. The Tarbets have two children: Rebekah, 8, and Jonathan, 5.