Location: Beaver Falls, Pa.

Presbytery: Alleghenies

Organization: 1886–1889

Membership: 46 communicant; 10 baptized

Pastor: Micah Ramsey

Website: www.eastvalerpchurch.wixsite.com/eastvalerpchurch.com

“I am thankful for safe travels this week.” “My highlight has been good family time.” “My mom made cookies yesterday—that’s my highlight!” These and similar comments are typical statements you will hear floating around the room as members and adherents of Eastvale RPC meet for Wednesday evening prayer meeting. This prayer meeting, which started decades ago and was made up of a few members, is now attended by approximately 30 people. The phrases above are examples from when everyone shares highlights and blessings from the week, then dives into sharing prayer requests. It is like a weekly family reunion as members come alongside each other to pray for our hearts, our families, the church, and the world. The meeting itself is a highlight!

The church began as a Sabbath school class in 1886 and was originally overseen by the Geneva RP Church. This made way for preaching to begin in 1889. Micah Ramsey became the congregation’s pastor in 2007 after graduating from the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary the same year (10 years after he came to know Christ). Before Pastor Ramsey was called, the church had been without a pastor for 6 years. There were times when members feared the church would have to close its doors. In God’s providence, that was not the case. God faithfully provided pulpit supply for the congregation, as well as other men to be faithful shepherds, guiding the congrega-tion and paving the way for Pastor Ramsey.

If you walk into Eastvale RPC on a regular Lord’s Day, you will be met with Sabbath school classes, morning and evening worship, and monthly fellowship meals following morning worship. Time is also set aside for weekly sermon discussion, which is an encouraging time of conversation centered around the personal comforts and challenges taken from each sermon. Along with his recent sermons through New Testament epistles, Pastor Ramsey also preaches on the congregation’s “psalm of the month,” which is sung in each worship service. This practice encourages members to learn specific psalms and to dig deeper into understanding and seeing Christ in them.

A weekly prayer meeting, mentioned above, is just one of the ministries God is using to bless individuals through this congregation. Over the years, the church has been involved in hosting vacation Bible school for the children in the community and Beaver Falls area. You will occasionally find Pastor Ramsey at the local Hot Dog Shoppe, preparing sermon notes and making connections with people, desiring to share Christ with them. He is faithful to spend time giving counsel, often together with his wife, Leslie. As he provides counseling and discipleship, several young people and families have been better equipped to serve in other congregations, across the world, and right at home.

Recent ministries that have started in the congregation include a young ladies’ Bible study and a monthly women’s fellowship time to share prayer requests and encourage personal time with the Lord. The church also strives to serve through hospitality, including with church dinners, game nights, meeting in each other’s homes for meals and devotions, and preparing freezer meals for those in need. In 2020, the congregation started livestreaming worship services, a work that has continued to this day. Those worship services can be found on the Eastvale RPC Facebook page.

While the church does not have an official youth group, the young people of the church meet together for fellowship in a variety of ways, with a variety of age groups. Ranging from young teens to newly married couples, these members come together for game nights, ultimate Frisbee, psalm sings, ministry projects, and other activities. The variety in age and stage of life helps to grow friendships, initiate discipleship, and open everyone’s eyes to the fact that we are to live as the family of God no matter what our differences may be.

Seeing God grow His church in Eastvale, both today and throughout the years, is a rich blessing. Eastvale RPC feels like home to many, from those who have been members for decades to those who have joined the church recently. A core desire of the congregation is found in 2 Peter 3:18: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”