Honorable Mention: Resourcing Churches under 1,000
State College Christian Church
Name and Location: State College Christian Church; State College, Pennsylvania
Denomination: Christian
Pastor: Mr. Vince Smith
Date Founded: 1957
Weekend Attendance: 100
Email: marci.bidelspach@scccweb.com
Overview: State College Christian Church (SCCC) started its efforts to help address AIDS in Zambia in 2006. SCCC’s members, leadership and the local community have created a lasting impact and legacy through Haven of Hope School, serving nearly 60 children orphaned by AIDS. "Our involvement in Zambia has ignited a new passion in the people to put their faith into action," says Senior Pastor Vince Smith. "The congregation realizes its responsibility, living with the number one humanitarian crisis of all time. It has been awesome to watch God's people get in the game and do what Jesus did – not just talk about Him on Sunday morning."
Specific Initiatives: Through a wide range of funding and other resources in both the US and Zambia, SCCC focuses its efforts on Haven of Hope. In addition to basic health and clothing, the children receive two meals daily and Christian education, providing a "safe place, a home for them… they are important to God." The children are sponsored by SCCC members, who also pay the salary of the school’s director. Other activities include:
- Partnering with other local churches and a pregnancy center to offer AIDS-related education in public schools and churches.
- Bringing California-based authors and speakers Roger and Becky Tirabassi to the community to conduct marriage seminars and other presentations to local pastors and their wives.
Engagement of the Congregation: More than twenty-five percent of SCCC’s members contribute monthly to the orphans' care and well-being through sponsorship. In addition, the church has a five-member Zambia team whose members meet regularly to pray, fundraise and track the school’s progress, as well as the church’s five-year plan to expand its efforts. Moreover, a professor of behavioral sciences at Penn State University developed a training curriculum for teachers in Zambia, as well as organized and conducted a three-day teacher training session for Haven of Hope instructors. SCCC members also participate in local AIDS initiatives in State College, including AIDS awareness events and having community residents who are infected with HIV address the congregation.
Judges' Comments: "State College Christian Church is a great picture of the impact that a small church can have if they have vision and are wiling to release resources that have been entrusted to them. The level of engagement of the congregation is outstanding and the judges unanimously felt they deserved an honorable mention."
