The Featured Church -

Hughesville Baptist Church
The Hughesville Baptist Church has roots in the past, a passion for ministry today and a vision for the future. 

The roots started to grow in 1890 when the church was founded. Today several families trace three generations back down those roots, and for one family, four. The faithful congregation over the years has added at least two additions to the original structure, and under the keen eye of vigilant trustees the church maintains a dignified presence on the corner of Water and North Third in Hughesville.
 

Not content to rest of it's laurels, the congregation is preparing for tomorrow by planning a new church building just a mile down Route 118. A building committee was formed and the congregation went ahead with the purchase of eight acres of land. No date has been set for the groundbreaking, as the church is carefully paying for the project in stages. 

 


  

Pastor Tom Brokaw, a soft-spoken man with a gentle and calming presence, is in the heart of his ministry. He has the energy and strength of youth while possessing the wisdom of experience. Originally from the state of Indiana, Pastor Brokaw served a church in Pottstown before coming to Hughesville in 2007. "Hughesville is a close-knit community," Pastor Brokaw told me, "and very family oriented."

 
 

Indeed, Hughesville could be a model for small towns in America. Tree lined streets border rows of neat and orderly homes in this largely residential town, with just enough business and retail outlets on the outskirts to make life convenient. But change could be coming to Hughesville, and Pastor Brokaw and the congregation want to be ready. "You've seen in the news about the Marcellus shale oil and the natural gas lines. If the area grows, our new church will be in a good location." 

The Pastor characterizes his people as "a caring and giving group." Pastor Bob Berger served the church for thirty-three years and today remains actively involved as Pastor Emeritus "and church historian" according to Pastor Brokaw. "In December," Pastor Brokaw said, "one of our members suffered a major heart attack. Pastor Berger stepped forward and offered to do the Sunday Service so that I could go to Geisinger and remain with our member and his family." It's an example of the teamwork and sensitivity so necessary to successful ministry. 

 
The church sets aside ten percent of what it receives to support local and international missions. One of the local missions supported is the Son Light Ministry in Muncy, which assists those who need food and clothing. To the right of the pulpit are some of the items collected on a recent Sunday. Outside the church office, a plastic bin has been designated for articles destined for Son Light. "Next month we have a speaker coming from 'Expectations'" the Pastor tells me, referring to the group formerly known as the Pregnancy Care Center. "We're calling it 'Christmas in July', helping their ministry get through the summer months." 
That sort of thoughtful compassion is extended to the young people of the church. "Two of our young people went on a missions trip to Mexico...actually going with the youth group of another church" according to the Pastor. "Our church not only generously funded the two young people, but invited the whole youth group to come and give us a report when they got back."

The Spiritual life of the church is fueled by sermons directly from God's Word. "I'm a big believer in preaching from the Scriptures, because the Scriptures are relevant to life's situations. Times change, but we all struggle with many common issues. Grief, dealing with temptation, and raising children; the Word speaks to these situations." Currently, Pastor Brokaw is bringing a series from the Book of Exodus. "We spoke about Moses and the Burning Bush. God pushed Moses past his comfort zone, and he sometimes does that for us, too." Next in the series is a message about the plagues that God sent to Egypt. "God turned the world around, and He can make it possible for us to change our world for Christ."
Before his call to the ministry, Pastor Brokaw was a history teacher in the state of Indiana. He is married to Dorothea, who is a registered nurse. The Brokaw's have three children. Their oldest son lives in Chicago, their daughter attends Misericordia University in Dallas, Pa, and their youngest son is in High School. Even with his full schedule, the Pastor is the 7th grade boys basketball coach at Hughesville Junior-Senior High School. 

The Pastor summarized where the church has been and where it is going - "Proven by the past; preparing for the future." May the Lord grant them the Open Door for which they pray. 
   

Hughesville Baptist Church is located at Water and North Third. Sunday Worship is at 10:15 AM

Visit them on the web at:http://www.hughesvillebaptistchurch.org/

The Featured Church Articles are written by WPGM's George Vacca