FULTON, N.Y., RPC

Location: Fulton, N.Y.

Organized: 1994

Presbytery: St. Lawrence

Members: 23 communicant; 19 baptized

Pastor: Nicholas Iamaio

Website: fultonrpc.org

Next year will mark the congregation’s 20th anniversary. Fulton RPC began as a Bible study at the residence of Richard and Carolyn House. The Bible study went on for several years, since the Oswego RPC Session believed that Fulton would become her first daughter church. Nick Iamaio, a member at Oswego RPC, was called by the congregation as an associate pastor. Within a year’s time he became the pastor of the new congregation in Fulton.

The congregation met for worship in a Methodist church building and later rented a Pentecostal church building where they met for worship, Sabbath school class and theology class. Then the Lord gave an opportunity to purchase a building in the heart of downtown Fulton directly across from the post office. Many use the church parking lot to handle their mailing responsibilities, which raises awareness that the Fulton RPC is established here.

Our church experienced some trying times when a ruling elder left the faith. Later some original members left the church as well. In spite of difficult struggles, Fulton RPC was sustained by God’s persevering grace. We give thanks for those faithful charter members who have kept the faith and continue with their calling and ministry, using their gifts for the glory of God. The St. Lawrence Presbytery has been very supportive when financial struggles came our way and counseling was needed. Ruling elders from other congregations were appointed to sustain the session when we lacked a resident elder to work with Nick. We are thankful for the faithful labors of George Hueber and Kevin Plummer, who helped the church with their counsel. Richard House was called as ruling elder and served steadily with great faith. His ordination and installation took place in March 2007, and he served until he went home to be with the Lord on Apr. 16, 2009. We all miss Dick House and remember his gracious disposition.

We are thankful for Don Pastor who was called, ordained and installed May 20, 2007 to serve as a ruling elder for many years until illness in May 2012 prevented him from serving to the fullest extent. He serves now as elder emeritus with his godly counsel. We are also grateful to Don for his generosity in establishing and building a rather large church library through his own donations. The deacons have decided to call our library the “Don Pastor Library.”

The Fulton congregation has experienced many blessings from the expository preaching by Pastor Iamaio. Many books of the Bible have been preached through and taught over the years, and Pastor Iamaio’s vision for a theological hall has proceeded with many serious students who desired to study God’s Word for their own personal growth. Some have desired to go on to the RP Theological Seminary. Scott Doherty graduated in spring 2013 and plans to serve in the pastorate. He has taken up an internship with Pastor Kit Swartz of the Oswego, N.Y., RPC. We continue to pray that more men may be called into the gospel ministry within the local churches in the St. Lawrence Presbytery. Phil Hayden, a member, graduated this year from Geneva College and hopes to go into law enforcement. He is currently seeking a position as patrol sheriff for Oswego County. Phil and his fiancée, Megan Martin, are planning to wed Oct. 19 of this year.

The Lord has blessed us with faithful, supportive deacons who love the Lord and serve the people of God with great care. They reach out to the community by helping those in need and stressing the need to believe the gospel and be a part of a Bible-believing church. Deacon Ron Tumbry skillfully serves as chairman of the deacon board. Rus VanNorstrand, a faithful man with much wisdom, has served as deacon from inception of the church. Deacon Kevin Hayden also faithfully serves the congregation in keeping up the grounds on the church property. Deaconess Carolyn House has served faithfully for many years from the inception of the church, using her gifts with the women of the congregation and community.

Our present needs are to build up the body of Christ in number through the active witness of the gospel as we engage in various outreach ministries, such as a parking lot literature table, clothing drive, food pantry, homeschooling events, hospitality, nursing home visitation, Cayuga Community College witness, and, most of all, our prayer meeting, which follows worship on the Lord’s Day.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray that the Lord will provide many opportunities to be bold witnesses by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Please also pray that our financial needs will be met, and that we might be blessed according to the riches that are in Christ Jesus.

• We ask for your prayers that the Lord may supply a resident ruling elder to bless the Fulton congregation.

• Also we desire your prayers that the theological studies will continue by the Lord sending more serious students to aspire the office of pastor.