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Cumberland Valley BIC
Testimonials
Acting out their story
 When
Fred Miller and his wife, Cathy, moved to Dillsburg, Pa., to pastor Cumberland
Valley BIC (CVC) in 1997 they came from a church that rented space from a school, and were thrilled the congregation had a building of their own.
“We felt, wow, cool! We don’t have to set up chairs every week,” Fred shares. It
was not long before this simplistic thankfulness transformed both Fred and Cathy
into creative visionaries for their new space, to minister to the community, and
demonstrate the “value the building has for the ministry,” explains Fred.
In the past many members of the congregation disliked mortgage payments, given
their desire to give exclusively to ministerial purposes. “People said, ‘we
don’t have money for ministry, because we have to pay the mortgage,’” explains
Fred, “not realizing the building is a huge outlet for ministry.” Often
individuals desire direct testimony of salvation, or evidence that individuals
are finding help. Yet, it is often the space we inhabit that allows individuals
to find a haven of hope and grace.
Beginning to dream outside the box, Cathy brainstormed programs which could
utilize the church’s nice, carpeted lobby floor and soon began working toward a
dinner theater with the congregation members. Today, this ministry includes a
full drama and puppeteer team that not only performs dinner theaters, but gives
shows year round, including local community events such as fairs and carnivals.
Outside of utilizing the building for outreach, leaders seek to use congregation
members’ gifts to their full potential and engage these gifts in service of the
church and community.”
 Enter Dave Miller, associate pastor. “We really try to put the right person in
the right place,” he explains. Currently writing and directing plays designed
for the church’s dinner theatre—which draws around 400 people during its run
time—and other events throughout the year, Dave shares, “We really encourage
members to take ownership of ministries within the church.”
One young man, who was not engaged in church activities, responded on a gifting
survey that he enjoyed, and felt gifted, in acting. Not long after, this shy
young man broke out of his shell to take one of the lead roles in a recent
performance. Shortly after the show commenced he dedicated his life to Christ,
and today he not only serves on the drama team but with the children’s ministry
as well. “He is just a terrific actor and ham, we would never have known until
he got on stage,” explains Dave.
After refinancing with the Foundation in 2000, CVC leadership appreciated the
uncomplicated no-cost process, and feels blessed to “to know our loan is helping
other pastors have mortgages, and other churches benefit—there are values here
that are more important than lower rates and keep us from exploring other
options,” shares Fred.
For more stories click here.
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