By Carl Stagner

Picture this—a perfectly manicured green. A beautiful summer day. Pastors, laypeople, and neighbors gathered for a special occasion. The recipe for an event that would engage the community and raise funds for a charity of choice was in place and, thanks to the Lord’s blessing, proved particularly palatable in a spiritual sense, too. It doesn’t take rocket science to be an active church wielding influence with impact. It just takes a few folks willing to look around, see what God is doing, and seize the opportunities. Thank God for First Church of God in Oil City, Pennsylvania, whose recent Golf Outing not only inspired a little competition, but also supported the cause of life.

Brenda Snedden serves as lead pastor of First Church of God. She explains that the Golf Outing has been one of the congregation’s annual events for over a decade. Every year, the church gives away the proceeds to a different worthy cause but, this year, a particular effort was deemed worthy of some two-years-in-a-row favor—Life Center.

Aric and Angela Kuhaneck presenting a check for just over $6,000 to Kim Simons for Life Center from the First Church of God Golf Outing!

“We chose them because we want to make a difference in the lives of the people in our local community,” Pastor Brenda explains, “not just saying we support life, but putting our dollars to work through an organization that makes a practical difference every day in the lives they touch.”

The Life Center offers “compassionate, holistic care and support for anyone making decisions about unintended pregnancy.” Education, support, and coaching are primary resources of the ministry and beckons prospective fathers, family members, and friends, too. Everything they offer is free, on par with the kingdom values of First Church of God, and focused through the prism of Jesus. Now, that’s a hole in one!

“David Snedden and Aric Kuhaneck are our co-chairs of the annual Golf Outing,” Pastor Brenda continues, “and Angela Kuhaneck is our hospitality coordinator, but they would be quick to say it is an entire church effort.”

Pastor Brenda Snedden notes that their brand-new director of Western Pennsylvania Ministries of the Church of God, Rev. Dr. Carron Odokara, was also present for the special occasion.

Learn more about the Church of God movement at www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.