New York
John and Denise Kashorek have been evangelizing in upstate New York since August 1985. There were 7 members meeting in Massena at the time (5 were from one family) who were meeting in a home in order to save the expense of maintaining the church building. Although the area is rural, many of the problems being faced are the same as those faced by inner city missions such as poverty, addiction and illiteracy. In addition, many members have chronic health problems and learning disabilities. Several members do not have transportation. Poverty and disabilities of the children have prohibited many people in the Massena area from attending church for they could not afford “church clothes” and were told by some members of the churches they visited that their children were too disruptive to attend. God has worked through this small body to provide a place where all people feel welcome and accepted as they come to worship the Lord.
Since 1985, 170 souls have been baptized into Christ by the Massena congregation. The congregation has come to cover a wide area geographically. When a number of people began to travel 50 miles one-way to attend services, the Massena congregation became instrumental in helping them establish a new congregation several years ago.
Currently, the Massena congregation is involved in several outreach activities including: a weekly radio broadcast of John’s sermons to a claimed listening audience of 12,500, and a CD ministry where his sermons are available for visitors to take and members to give to family and friends. Alcoholics Anonymous meets weekly in the church building and once a month the community is invited to a family film night. An annual personal evangelism workshop is held to teach members strategies for reaching the lost. There are a variety of weekly home Bible studies conducted with new contacts and new members. The women have begun a Ladies Bible class; a visitation program; and a monthly fellowship with opportunities for the women to learn to prepare and present devotionals; and an outreach program involving donations of goods to local agencies such as shelters for battered women and children. For more information about the work you can go to http://www.orgsites.com/ny/massenachurch/.
