Location: Beaver Falls, Pa.

Presbytery: Alleghenies

Membership: 114 communicant; 25 baptized

Founded (by merger): 2005

Pastor: Bruce Backensto (1995)

Web site: www.firstrpchurch.com

Geneva Reformed Presbyterian Church was founded Nov. 4, 1892. First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls was founded on Nov. 10, 1974, with 24 members. The two congregations merged in November 2004, effectuated in early 2005, becoming the current First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Beaver Falls. The congregation now worships in the First RP church building in the Patterson Township section of Beaver Falls. The Geneva RP church building was sold to Geneva College, which is currently using it for some music classrooms.

Over the last 10 years, the makeup of the congregation has changed from mostly older couples to many young families as well as older couples. Years ago, the lone head bobbing in the front pew during the children’s sermon belonged to Keith Backensto. Now the children fill up two pews when going up front.

Because of the number of children in the church, the session decided to hold Sabbath school after worship to encourage children to be able to be in worship more easily. A fellowship time is enjoyed between our morning worship service and class time. We will celebrate the Lord’s supper bimonthly beginning in February.

Following a booming vacation Bible school program two summers ago, the congregation last fall held a once-a-week afterschool program called Quest for elementary-aged children in the community. The program did not continue in the spring but is being started again this fall. It is hoped that people in the community can be better reached through this program.

We have a number of Geneva College students worshiping with us, who not only join us for worship but also make themselves available to help wherever needed in the congregation.

A number of small-group Bible studies have been started, including one that is family oriented, one for young couples, and one men’s and one women’s study. The church helps sponsor Dessert and Devotions, a weekly time of psalm singing and prayer for Geneva College students in a member’s home. The congregation also hosts a monthly college lunch for students and a fellowship meal on the first Lord’s Day. A men’s monthly prayer breakfast is held on the first Saturday.

In recent years, we have found ourselves in a position of equipping and sending those who worship with us into other parts of the kingdom. Noah and Lydia Bailey became communicant members while attending Geneva College before they were married, and they remained a vital part of the congregation through Noah’s graduation from the RP Seminary. Noah is now the church-planting pastor in Enid, Okla. Daniel and Natalie Faris are members who are now serving with their two children (see Brief Notes) as missionaries in southern Sudan. Patricia Boyle was a member before moving to serve full-time in Japan.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for the Quest program being run by Matt McClain this fall. Pray that the congregation would be able to reach out into Patterson Township and Patterson Heights.

• Pray for the initiation of more small group and discipleship ministries. Pray for Pastor Backensto as he shepherds the flock.

• Pray for Dan and Natalie Faris as they continue to labor in Sudan, and for Patricia Boyle as she serves in Japan.