OUR STAFF
OUR STAFF
Missions
Serving the Community Near and Far
Hillside chooses its missions and missionaries as a congregation, and our goal is to make our giving
effective as possible for the kingdom of God.
We balance our missions program by supporting people and projects locally, regionally (US), and around the world.
We also set aside part of our missions giving for benevolence and special needs.
We ask everyone to pray for these missions.
World Missions
Hillside supports a number of full-time missionaries and mission organizations. These individuals and organizations help us fulfill our mission as a church by being effective and productive reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
YWAM Mazatlan
Mazatlan, Mexico
Kendra and Jordan are full time staff with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) in Mazatlan. YWAM is a global movement of Christians from many cultures, age groups, and Christian traditions, dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. They unite in a common purpose to Know God and to Make Him Known. YWAM Mazatlan was established in 2004 and is one branch of over 1,100 YWAM locations spread across 180 countries.
CMF International
Ethiopia
Craig and Allison live and work among the Gumuz, an unreached people group in western Ethiopia. Craig’s responsibilities are in evangelism, church planting, and church leadership development. Allison focuses on community health services in the rural villages. Their home is in Aygali – a town in a very remote area between two major rivers, the Blue Nile and the Beles. In order to live in this area of the country, part of the Fowlers’ project agreement with the Ethiopian government includes operating a medical clinic.
The Knapp Family
Peine, Germany
David and Amanda Knapp are missionaries serving in Peine, Germany. The Knapps work and minister alongside Randy and Katy Smelser at the Christusgemeinde (Christ Church) Peine. They are using a program called "Let's Start Talking" (LST) a Christian-based program using the Book of Luke to help Germans improve their conversational English skills, along with a variety of other relationship-building initiatives. In a country that is considered post-Christian, where only 3% of the population consider themselves as followers of Christ, one-on-one connections are the key to sharing the gospel. The Knapps have three children and live to find opportunities to serve God through reaching and teaching others.
Kostroma Christian Church
Kostroma, Russia
For two decades, the Kostroma Christian Church has been sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their community. Founded by American missionaries Ron and Ginny Cook in November 1992, the church became legally recognized by the Russian government in June 1993. From humble beginnings, it has become a vibrant ministry reaching the people of Kostroma. The church is now located on a campus that includes Light To The World Christian Academy. The church is led by Russians who work in partnership with MTR International. They meet for two hours on Sundays, and have many ministries including Bible studies, women's groups, children's ministry, a homeless ministry, TJ Studio (Teens for Jesus), youth summer camps, and more.
Eastern Bible Institute
Myanmar
Myanmar Christian Mission leads people to Jesus Christ in a Buddhist country by supporting evangelists and new churches, the Eastern Bible Institute, a literature ministry,
medical ministry, and more.
Thavy Meas
Cambodia
Thavy returned to his native land with a passion to serve Christ. He built a house for his family with space for a church. He is active in ministry to youth, families and leadership training throughout Cambodia and south-east Asia.
Regional Missions
Camp Manatawny Christian Camp
Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Camp operates a year round facility for retreats, special events, and a summer camp for school age children. We encourage families to send their children to the summer camp sessions. These one-week, age specific camps, have a tremendous impact on young people, forming life-long friendships and imparting Christian values.
Diamond Willow Ministries
Crow Creek Indian Reservation,
South Dakota
Diamond Willow is a Christ-centered relief organization on a mission to empower and develop healthy Christian people on the Crow Creek reservation. They meet current spiritual, emotional, and physical needs within the Native American community. Rod & Valeria Vaughn lead this ministry and we have served them through mission trips.
Dolph & Jenny Lario
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jenny grew up at Hillside and married Dolph, who leads a unique ministry that brings together pastors and churches in local communities. They do this for the purpose of reaching people with repeated opportunities to hear, see and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Orchard Group
Newtown, Pennsylvania
Orchard Group was born in New York City and has been been planting churches in metropolitan areas for over 70 years. We believe starting new churches is the best way to reach new residents, new people groups, and new generations with the Christian gospel. And we believe reaching people with the gospel is the best way to bring about enduring, positive change in our world.
Local Missions
Christian Student Fellowship
Campus Ministry
Penn State University (Berks Campus)
Our support helps underwrite the ministry of Dave Hershey, the local campus minister. CSF PSU Berks is a community of college students who share the purpose of growing as disciples of Jesus Christ; learning how to integrate Christian faith with a secular university education; being a blessing to the campus, the Reading community and the world through service; and helping people begin relationship with God through Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Freedom Gate Halfway House
Reading, PA
Freedom Gates mission is to provide Christian after care support for ex-prisoners. This support not only includes food, clothing, and shelter, but also a constant care environment where the ex-prisoner receives Christian discipleship and practical counseling in all areas of life in order to become a responsible neighbor in the community.
Each man will attend regular bible study's, and find a church home for their spiritual well being. In addition, there will be opportunities for help in finding a job, continuing education, addressing problems of addiction, and help reconnecting with their family members.
Mercy Community Crisis Pregnancy Center
Reading, PA
This ministry offers individuals and families facing an unplanned pregnancy an alternative to abortion. Mercy is a place to meet Christ, to learn how to be a better parent, and a place to have one’s heart and life changed for time and eternity.
They provide a lifeline to women who want to continue their pregnancies, but don't know how to make ends meet or get the health care they need. The center also provides counseling, health screenings, as well as prenatal and baby supplies.
Individuals and families who have experienced an abortion are welcome to participate in our post abortion Bible Study, because forgiveness and healing is offered through Christ.