Port Allegany Alliance Church

“Joining Together in Loving God & Loving People”

Welcome to the profile of Port Allegany Alliance Church! We are part of the Western PA District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in the small, close-knit community of Port Allegany. Since our ministry began in 1978, God has been faithful every step of the way. That faithfulness continues to shape who we are and how we serve today.

As a church family, we are committed to joining together in Loving God and Loving People, seeking to develop devoted followers of Jesus Christ through intentional discipleship and meaningful outreach into our surrounding community.

Our heart is simple: to connect, grow, and serve—together. Whether you’re exploring faith, looking for a church home, or seeking a place to grow deeper in your walk with Christ, we’re grateful you’re here and excited to share our story with you.

The governance recognizes that the pastor’s agenda will depend a great deal upon his gifting and the needs of the church at any given time. However, the following has been developed as a baseline for pastoral ministry at Port Allegany Alliance Church.

1. The pastor will develop and present God’s vision for the church through the ministry of the leadership team. He will lead the church governance in identifying objectives, goals, and then propose steps to accomplish them.
2. The pastor will be the primary preacher of God’s Word to the congregation. In cooperation with the elders, he will be at liberty to invite guests to preach in his absence.
3. The pastor will give oversight to the planning and preparation of the Sunday morning worship service.
4. The pastor will establish office hours for the administrative duties of the church and for the benefit of those who desire to contact him. He will communicate his availability to those seeking personal contact.
5. The pastor will maintain regular contact with the members of the church family. He will regularly interact with the membership through a variety of contacts (visitation, shared meals, etc.)
6. The pastor will be responsible for the equipping and development of the elders of the church.
7. The pastor will provide leadership to the congregation by calling them to greater spiritual health. He will use a variety of methods to encourage the membership to a mindset of sacrificial service.
8. The pastor will give himself to regular seasons of prayer and planning. He will be expected to participate in both the local ministerium as well as the regional Alliance Coaching Cluster.
9. The pastor will be sure to budget time for the care of his own soul as well as the needs of his family. He will be encouraged to use his vacation time for rest and renewal as an individual as well as a leader.
10. The pastor will receive an annual written performance review facilitated by the elders for the purpose of fostering growth and healthy relationships.

Who makes the final decisions for the church? Port Allegany Alliance Church operates with a two-board ministry structure, with our Board of Elders serving as the final decision-making body. This model helps ensure spiritual oversight, accountability, and unity as we lead and serve our congregation.

What would most likely be the first issue to limit your future ministry? Attendance, and lack of giving

When was the last time an appeal was made because the General Fund expenses were exceeding income? Never

What percentage of our giving supports the Great Commission Fund? Through our faith pledge approximately 3% of our total contributions are designated for the Great Commission Fund

Property and Facilities

Dates of construction: Original building – 1940 new sanctuary - 1994

Size of property: 6 acres

Is there a parsonage? No

Seating capacity for worship: 320

Number of parking spaces? 60

What is the total church indebtedness? $0

Are the facilities adequate for present ministry? yes

Do you see any future facility needs? Replace the flat roof and facelift, especially in the older part of the church

Describe the visibility and accessibility of the property: Visibility & accessibility are both good

What is the general condition of the property/facilities? The new sanctuary is good. The older part of the church needs some minor repairs in the old sanctuary and new paint and carpet in the other areas.

Ministry

What do you see as the specific purpose/mission/vision of your church? "Pursuing God. Loving Neighbors. Changing Lives."

To what degree has the congregation bought into the purpose and vision of your church?

"Our church family is no stranger to the storms of life, but we have seen firsthand that God is a faithful anchor. From the heartbreak of losing a beloved pastor to ALS, to the empty seats left behind during the COVID-19 pandemic, our path hasn't been easy. These seasons were painful and deeply felt. Yet, in every trial, Jesus met us there. These struggles haven't just tested us; they’ve knit us closer together and drawn us deeper into the heart of our Savior. Today, as we prayerfully seek our next pastor, we do so with a proven hope and a continued passion for reaching our community."

What are your church’s regular meetings/ministries and what is each gathering’s primary function and average attendance?

"At our church, fellowship and service go hand-in-hand. Our ladies gather bi-weekly for breakfast at the Daily Bread Restaurant, while our Sunday School offers a place for both children and adults to grow. We are especially proud of our Youth Group, which welcomes all teens in the area—not just those in our congregation.

Beyond the walls of our church, we are committed to healing and help. Through our partnership with Break the Chains, we support those affected by addiction and suicide, and through Nathan’s Shoebox, we provide essential shoes and coats to children in need. Whether you're joining us for a 5th Sunday fellowship meal or seeking a place to serve, there is a seat at the table for you."

Strengths: Community & Connection

• Relational Depth: A close-knit, family-oriented atmosphere where members are eager to "pitch in" and support one another.
• Active Engagement: High participation in community-facing events and specialized ministries (Outreach Breakfast, VBS, Operation Christmas Child).
• Spiritual Core: A robust prayer group and strong commitment to pastoral collaboration through the Ministerium and Coaching Cluster.

Areas for Potential & Growth

Expanded Men’s Fellowship: We have a fresh opportunity to design a ministry specifically tailored to the interests and spiritual needs of our men.

Youth & Membership Revitalization: There is a clear opening to re-energize our sanctuary with new voices and develop a modern strategy for engaging the next generation.

Facility Renewal: Our historic building is ready for a "facelift," providing a chance for the community to unite around a vision for a refreshed, welcoming environment.

Volunteer Development: By refining our volunteer roles, we can better invite members to share their unique talents and find meaningful ways to serve.

Diverse Perspectives: We are in a prime position to invite guest speakers, bringing fresh energy and a variety of teaching styles to our congregation.

Visionary Planning: If we focus on attracting families in their 30s, we have a ready-made blueprint to launch a vibrant, high-impact Young Adult ministry.

Opportunities: Strategic Growth

• Asset Utilization: Maximizing the use of the gym for community sports or events.
• Social Services: Expanding the impact of the Food Bank and Angel Tree programs to meet local needs.
• Strategic Partnerships: Leveraging the proximity to local schools and collaborating with neighboring churches on large-scale projects.
• Targeted Outreach: Developing a "Young Adult" initiative to attract families in their 30s.

Contextual Realities & Resilient Strategies

Unique Rural Charm: Our secluded location offers a peaceful, intimate environment that can serve as a "destination" retreat for those looking to escape the busyness of more crowded areas.

Adaptable Engagement: While weather can be unpredictable, it provides us with the opportunity to strengthen our digital presence and create creative, "all-weather" indoor community experiences.

A Central Community Hub: In an area with limited local entertainment, our church has the distinct opportunity to become the primary social and cultural heart of the region.

Focused Outreach: Operating in a low-population area allows us to pursue a "deep-impact" model of ministry, where every individual connection is highly valued and personally nurtured.

Refined Goal Statement: "Our primary objective is to revitalize our physical space and diversify our ministry—specifically targeting men and young families—to turn our rural location into a central community hub."

Describe your worship services:

"Our Sunday mornings are designed to nourish both the mind and the spirit. We begin with an engaging intergenerational Bible study for youth and adults, followed by a unified worship service in our main sanctuary centered on the Word of God. We invite everyone to stay after the service for a time of relaxed fellowship, as we value the opportunity to connect and support one another before heading home."

List the current active ministries of the church and the name of the leader who is responsible:

Small groups/Sunday School – Christina Avilez & Cheryl Smith

Children’s Education – Pam Thomas

Elders – Joe Avilez

Deacons/Deaconesses – Oliver Grebbien

Youth- Heath & Amanda Rudolph

Trustees – Dean Boorum

Adult Ministry – Dean & Becky Boorum

Worship ministry – Joe & Christina Avilez

Describe the role of the elders and their relationship with the pastor.

The Elders partner with the Pastor to provide spiritual and administrative governance for our church. Our mission is to shepherd the congregation through intentional prayer, hospital and home visitation, and dedicated service on the Governing Boards. Together, we support our leadership and care for our members through the biblical practices of anointing and prayer for the sick.

Demographics

McKean County Demographic Data:

Population: 45,936

Port Allegany Borough Population: 2023 info 2,430

Age Distribution:

• 0-4 years 6.58%
• 5-19 years 29.63%
• 20-64 years 51.90%
• 65+ 11.88%

Racial Demographics:

• White 94.90%
• Mixed 3.25%
• Other 1.32%
• Hispanic 0.37%

Community Snapshot:

• Per capita income: $16,600 (median household income: $57,837)
• Average persons per household: 2.4
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 3.84m
• Persons in poverty: 25.4%
• Population per square mile:
  • County, 47
  • Port Allegany Borough, 1,203.9 (1.78 sq miles)
• Median age: 32.2
• Homeownership rate: 67.2%
• Median property values: $105,200
• Median rent in 2023: $891
• Employed population: 878
• Most common job groups: Education Services, Healthcare & Social Assistance, Sales & related occupations, and Manufacturing
• Active Fire Department, Ambulance Service & Public Library
• Most people drove alone to work with an average commute time of 22 minutes. Average car ownership was 2 cars per household.

PORT ALLEGANY ALLIANCE CHURCH HISTORY

1978 - The Western Pennsylvania district of the Christian and Missionary Alliance decided to start a new Alliance church in Port Allegany. Coudersport Alliance was asked to be the mother church. Letters were sent to many families in Port Allegany and a search went out to find a home in which to start Bible studies. North Penn Gas Company headquarters in Port Allegany decided to close the district office in Coudersport one year ahead of time. District Manager Jim Plotts was transferred from Coudersport to Port Allegany. From October of 1978 until February of 1979 meetings were held in the home of Jim and Betty Plotts with Rev. Glenn Thomas, Pastor of the Coudersport Alliance Church leading.

In 1979 weekly Sunday services were started in the second story of the Liberty Grange Hall with Rev. Dwight D, Steiner a retired minister from Jamestown, NY. Rev. Steiner, his wife Bernice and several members spent Saturdays visiting area families.

In June 1979, Pastor Richard Jenkins arrived with his wife Carolyn and infant daughter, Jamie. He became our first full time minister at the Installation Service on June 2, 1979. A short time later it was decided to meet at a one room church building in the Grimes district. (Outdoor toilets and no water) This decision was made to see if there would be significant church growth. About a year later when there wasn't as much growth as had been hoped for, we moved back to the Liberty Grange Hall.

We welcomed Pastor David Armstrong and his wife Beckie on July 12, 1980. The Armstrong’s lived at Wrights. For several months, Wednesday night prayer meetings were held in their home.

A search was started in 1981 for a permanent church home. Existing buildings, merging with another congregation and land purchase for a new building were all considered. A bid of $72,777.00 was made to the Port Allegany School district for the Liberty Grade School building. The bid was not accepted. The building was purchased one year later in February 1982 at a new bid price of $36, 388.50. This was one half the amount that had been offered to the school board in 1981.

Pastor James Liston and his wife Tammy came to us in December of 1984 and were with us until June of 1988.

We became an established church in August of 1987.

In August of 1988 we welcomed Pastor John Boomer, his wife Stacy, and son Josiah. In April of 1990, Pastor Boomer and family moved to the Midwest where they accepted a ministry there.

In June of 1990 we welcomed Pastor Richard McCombie, his wife Donna and three children, Brian, Scott, and Christina. As our congregation continued to grow it became necessary to go to two church services in April of 1992. In 1994 ground was broken to add a new 4800 square foot, 384 seat sanctuary with offices for Pastor and Secretary. The building was completed in 1995.

In 1998 Pastor Willie Matos arrived with his wife Beverly and son Nathan. A Small Group ministry was started under his leadership. Pastor Matos left on January 31, 2003, to begin a new church in the Pittsburgh area.

In September 2003 Pastor Joseph T. Beckley accepted a call to our church. He began his ministry on September 29, 2003. He was joined with his wife Debbie, son Aaron and daughter Rachel. The Children’s Ministry was expanded to include Opening Exercises with weekly puppet shows, Sunday School classes for all ages, Children’s Sermons that included stories of "The Animals of the Great Forest,” as well as annual “Monkey Island” Vacation Bible School that continues to be a big event for the community children. In July 2015 Pastor Beckley stepped down from preaching for health reasons. Pastor Joseph continued to mentor, inspire, and guide his congregation until he and Debbie moved to Kansas in February 2016.

In May 2016 Pastor Stephen Kroh and his wife Jayne accepted the call to our church. They began their ministry on July 3, 2016. Pastor Stephen and Jayne's last Sunday with us was December 28, 2025. Stephen retired and they moved to Altoona, PA to begin the next phase of their lives.

A lot of time and love has been given through the years to renovate the building from a school to a church, which included a parsonage within the church. The parsonage has since been made into offices, a board room, and a prayer room. It has been gratifying to see many building improvements made and valuable programs added to our ministry.

God has been faithful to us since the ministry began in 1978.

Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. We praise God for the house HE has built and blessed many times over.

One ordinary individual in tune to the guiding of the Lord helps to make a whole church dedicated to worshiping God and building HIS kingdom.

Welcome To Our Town

Port Allegany was originally known as Canoe Place because it was the location where travelers coming overland from the Susquehanna River could continue by boat on the Allegheny River. Its name was changed to Port Allegany in 1838 and was incorporated in September 1881. Today, Port Allegany is a quaint town that provides residents with a safe environment surrounded by forests and access to almost any form of outdoor recreation you can imagine.

The largest employer in Port Allegany is Ardagh Group which manufactures glass containers, specializing in wine bottles and other containers for the food and wine industry. There are also stores, shops, restaurants, and professional offices serving the community.

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To be considered for this position, please complete the application to include your testimony, resume and other background information related to the position.

If the district office has reviewed your application and they think you may be a potential match for the position, that the hiring manager will reach out to you for next steps.

This position requires licensing with The Christian & Missionary Alliance. To learn more about The Alliance and requirements for licensing, please visit our website

Please do not contact the church directly.