This past Sunday, August 25th 2019, was our annual baptism service.  We saw seven people publicly proclaim their new life in Jesus and their desire to live as Christians, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the church. It was a gorgeous day and we did it (intentionally) at

Someone once said of serving in the local church –  “Service is not an option.” This isn’t a legalistic thing, but it is a communal thing.  We are all part of the body and we all do our part.  We all have been given gifts and abilities, and the church

Our first member meeting finally happened! Months [years?] of planning and a snow storm later…we enjoyed a great night together, celebrating what God has done by establishing his church in Vernon, NJ. To set us off on the right foot, here are some thoughts from Paul in Galatians 1:9. “As

My family and I walked into Green Pond Bible Chapel in the Fall of 2000.  We didn’t walk in very regularly.  Back in those days, my goal was to slip in and slip out.  Do not make direct eye contact and definitely do not engage anyone in conversation.  Just get

Here’s a quick update of where things are with our transition to independence! The HBC elders have been diligently preparing for the January 2019 launch!  We have finalized all job descriptions for all the Deacons and any part-time staff positions. Deacons have been asked and we are starting to plan

Highlands Progress! The Highlands Transition Team has morphed into the Highlands Task Action Awesome Getting Stuff Done Super All Stars. OK, well that name doesn’t really work…but still…Pastor Mike has been busy working with the HBC Elders [John Lisa, Rob Downs, and Paul Fehrenbacher] on a series of tasks to

On Sunday, June 3rd, the membership of HBC/GPBC unanimously approved planting Highlands Bible Church as an independent local church in Vernon.  This is beyond exciting and slightly terrifying, but that feeling is not an unfamiliar one. I was recently talking with one of our Highlands people and recalling how over

I’ve recently been reading through Acts again during my yearly Bible reading plan and came across this passage – “But the word of God increased and multiplied.” [Acts 12:24, ESV] I can recall Pastor Ryan preaching through the book of Acts at the Green Pond campus several years back.  One