RPC of Wyoming Valley

Location: Forty Fort, Pa.

Organized: Joined RPCNA in 2011

Members: 7 communicant; 12 baptized

Pastor: Raymond Dymond

Web: nepachurches.org/forty-fort-rpc/

The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Wyoming Valley is located approximately halfway between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in northeast Pennsylvania. We rent our church building from the United Presbyterian Church.

The Wyoming Valley encompasses a large urban river valley along the Susquehanna River and consists of the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, plus many smaller boroughs. Though we are in an urban area, we are close to the Pocono mountains and “endless” mountains both of which offer many vacation and outdoor activities. Access to three interstates puts travel to New York City and Philadelphia within a two-hour drive.

Our church considers the worship of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ to be the most important priority and function of our congregation. Each Lord’s Day there is a men’s prayer meeting at 10:15, followed by the morning worship service at 10:30. The Bible School begins at 11:45 with a class for adults and youth and a separate class for younger children. We gather for prayer meeting every other Wednesday evening at 6:30 at the church. On the first Sunday of each month there is a fellowship “brown bag” luncheon. We celebrate the Lord’s supper the first Sunday of every other month. Our church uses the Authorized King James Version in our services.

The RPCWV is a small congregation with a lot of youth. The congregation enjoys its many fellowship opportunities with its sister congregation, the Hazleton Area, Pa., RPC, located approximately 45 minutes to the south. We also fellowship with other NAPARC congregations in the area once or twice a year.

Ministry and outreach works have included delivering literature door to door in the neighborhood around the church building, psalm sings at local nursing homes, and helping with flood damage caused by past hurricanes. Many in our congregation homeschool their children, so there are fellowship and outreach opportunities that arise from being a part of the local homeschoolers network group.

Our congregation has been a member of the Atlantic Presbytery of the RPCNA since 2011. Prior to joining the RPCNA we were a member of the American Presbyterian Church (APC) denomination for approximately 30 years. The APC has very similar doctrine and distinctives to the RPCNA, so joining the RPCNA was an easy transition. Pastor Raymond Dymond has served the church for over 30 years. We are thankful to God for His grace and providence in preserving us for the past 30 years and are hopeful for His plans for us for the future.

—Jeremy Nelson and Raymond Dymond

Fun Fact

The name “Forty Fort” refers to the 40 men who defended the fort in this area from the British and Indians in the time of the Revolutionary War.

Prayer Requests

• Please pray that through the Lord’s providence our church will continue to be a lighthouse for truth in the Wyoming Valley, and that others will join with Christ’s church. 
• Please pray that the Lord will draw and guide the children of our congregation to a mature confession of faith in their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.