Pastor and Mrs. Bryan Miller

Our next journey took us to the Northeast Corridor where our first stop was one of my personal favorites, Somerset Bible Baptist Church in Somerset, New Jersey. Somerset Bible Baptist Church is probably one of my favorites just because I have a great personal friend, Pastor Brian Fisher. Brian serves as the Assistant Pastor working for his father-in-law, Pastor Bryan Miller.

It is amazing how God can use different events in our life to bring about some of our greatest friendships. When I started Solid Rock Publications with Pastor Eric Capaci, I worked very closely with several pastors. Depending upon the projects I was creating for them, we would have to talk often and exchange many emails to see a project finished. Brian Fisher was among the first of my most loyal customers. God bonded our hearts from the beginning and allowed us to see many projects completed.

Pastor Joe Kobernat

Meeting Pastors has been a great experience for our family. However, seeing a pastor’s work when we knew him before he became a pastor is both humbling & encouraging. We were privileged to spend a few days with Pastor & Mrs. Joe Kobernat of the First Baptist Church of Geneseo, Illinois. We have known their family for many years. In fact, the Kobernat’s were members of Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois prior to accepting the pastorate in October of 1996. Susan had the privilege to learn from Pastor Kobernat when he taught at the Christian school. She, and many others, have often reminisced about his teaching at Berean and his heart for the students. Many young people who are now very successful had the privilege to learn from him.

Dr. Gene Wolfenbarger

For any pastor to be in one church pastoring for 25 years is an amazing milestone. This is true for Dr. and Mrs. Gene Wolfenbarger as they prepare to celebrate their 25^th Anniversary of starting Joshua Baptist Church of Joshua/Burleson, Texas, this coming June 2011. What a testimony for Christ of faithfulness and longevity in ministry. Dr. Gene Wolfenbarger is 71 years of age, but certainly with the vitality of a 40 year-old.  I was amazed to see him in ministry action as he greeted his people, preached behind the pulpit and led the congregation. I found his charisma and zeal for Christ to be very inspiring! Joshua Baptist Church is located outside the greater Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Praise the Lord for what He is doing at this little town of Nebo, North Carolina. The population of Nebo is no greater than 4,500, yet tucked away in the beautiful mountains is this fantastic church. I had the privilege of speaking at Eastside in the month of October for their leadership emphasis week with Dr. Doug Fisher.

Bob became the senior pastor in 2010 and has led the church to double it’s attendance and membership. His vision and strategy for continued church growth compels the many members to action. They adopted a fresh, new logo along with a purpose statement that sets the tone and vision of the church. They have learned the art of simplifying vision and giving full clarity to what they believe as members where God would have them to go.