WPA District of The C&MA

10/22/2026

Crosswinds Alliance Church joyfully celebrated the installation of Pastor Kyle Nielsen on Sunday, October 18! It was a special evening of prayer and celebration as the congregation welcomed Pastor Kyle and his family into this new season of ministry.

Please join us in praying for the Nielsen family and for God’s continued work through Crosswinds Alliance Church in Butler, PA. May the Lord bless them as they serve Him together!

10/21/2026

Christian Ballenger’s ordination service was held Monday, October 19, at Allegheny Center Alliance Church during the church’s regular Monday evening worship service.

It was a wonderful evening celebrating this significant milestone in Christian’s life and ministry. Another official worker was also consecrated that evening, though we are unable to share photos due to the nature of her ministry.

The powerful service reminded us that our calling is both from the Lord and a precious gift to be treasured. We praise God for His faithfulness and the work He continues to do through those who faithfully serve Him!

10/19/2026

Oak Hill Alliance Church in Cranberry Township, PA, is seeking a passionate and dedicated Youth Pastor to lead and disciple middle and high school students as they grow in their relationship with Jesus.

This leader will oversee and coordinate the youth ministry, invest in the spiritual development of students, and equip and support youth volunteers to effectively share the gospel. The Youth Pastor will also cultivate a welcoming, Christ-centered community where students feel a strong sense of belonging, connection, and family.

Located about 20–25 miles north of Pittsburgh, Cranberry Township offers a growing suburban community with convenient access to the city, excellent amenities, and plenty of opportunities for families and outdoor recreation.

To view the full job description, apply, or explore additional openings within the WPA District, visit cmawpa.org/church-openings.

10/15/2026

Somerset Alliance Church in Somerset, PA, is seeking a new Lead Pastor to provide spiritual leadership and vision for the future of the church.

Located in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, about 70 miles east of Pittsburgh, Somerset offers small-town charm, scenic mountain views, and abundant outdoor recreation.

The church is looking for a vision caster, preacher, and administrator with a heart for shepherding people, developing leaders, and advancing God’s Kingdom.

To view the full job description, apply, or explore additional openings within the WPA District, visit cmawpa.org/church-openings.

10/14/2026

Rick grew up in Lake Worth, Florida, giving his heart to The Lord at age 5. He continued to grow in relationship with God at Bethel Assembly of God & attended Baptist schools, led by his parents who demonstrated a deep desire to follow Jesus. He’s never found a replacement for the joy of surfing, and wishes the beach could be somehow dropped nearer to Butler, PA. (He’s considering wearing a full wet-suit and trying to surf at Lake Erie… we’ll see.)

His call to ministry began as a child with a vague sense of “I want to revolve my life around God like that,” after hearing what a pastor does for a living. It was clarified during an existential crisis in freshman year at Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL) in 2003, and reading in a Hebrew Poetry class, “The only remedy for the human condition is reorientation toward God.” He aims to be a safe place for people to find God, exactly because he agrees with Dallas Willard that being an apprentice of Jesus is the “greatest opportunity any human ever has.”

Rick & Kara Joy met as youth leaders at Life Church in Auburndale, FL as Rick was completing an M.A in Ministerial Leadership. He would soon serve bi-vocationally at a Baptist Church & serve tables at a restaurant, then serve bi-vocationally at a non-denominational Pentecostal church, while teaching as an adjunct professor at SEU, and completing a M.A. in Theological Studies.

Kara served as Resident Director at SEU during that time, and completed her M.A. in Ministerial Leadership. She has served as an elementary school teacher, women’s ministry director, volunteer coordinator, and led worship.

When Ricky (10) was born, Kara and Rick knew it was time to not live on a college campus anymore, and seek a full-time vocational ministry position, finding it in Loganville, GA, where they served for 9.5 years, and added Nora Joy (7), Crosby (5), and Gracie (3) to the family.

Rick now serves as Lead Pastor at Faith Fellowship Alliance Church, where he is excited about being formed by Christ with long-time saints into deeper levels of fullness of God, while leading others to meet Jesus for the first time.

He hears it will be cold in Western PA… and enjoys walks in the woods, bike-riding, reading, writing, and making awesome stuff with Legos, Snap Circuits, and other stuff with Ricky, Nora, Crosby & Gracie.

10/12/2026

Stay connected with the WPA District through the October edition of The Heartbeat, including: Can These Dry Bones Live Again? by Dave Nagel, Get to Know Rick Bloomquist, Missions Spotlight with Chris & Stephanie, and more. October 2026 Heartbeat - https://mailchi.mp/2ef90c3f236b/october2026heartbeat

09/30/2026

09/25/2026

Grove City Alliance Church is hosting the seminar At the Heart of Generosity: What Jesus Actually Said about Money on October 16 and 17.

At this event, participants will discover:

• How to live in the peace of God's abundant grace
• How to find freedom from Satan's schemes to distract and ensnare every believer through the misuse of finances
• How to grow in the intimacy of their relationship with Jesus

John Jonez, author of At the Heart of Generosity, and Aaron Foor, author of Sacred Leadership and licensed worker with the Alliance, will be facilitating this event.

The cost of the two-day event is $25 per participant, which includes the book and lunch on Saturday. We encourage early registration because space is limited. Those who register prior to October 7 will receive a $5 discount.

Additional information and registration can be found at https://grovecityalliance.churchcenter.com/registrations/signups/3828428.

09/17/2026

Young adults from across the District gathered at ACAC on Friday, September 11, for a powerful night of worship and fellowship. The joy was contagious, and the Lord’s presence was felt throughout the evening! Be sure to join them for the next one, and follow along on social media to see what’s coming next!

09/10/2026

The Altoona Alliance Church will host the 2nd PA Regional Campus of Prayer on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Come grow deeper in your personal prayer life and learn how a revived, praying church can reach a lost world. We’ll cover the second six lessons from the Lord, Teach Us to Pray Workbook 1.

Cost:
• $20/person
• $30/couple
• $10 for ages 18 and under

Your registration includes lunch, refreshments, and a workbook. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Altoona Alliance Church.

Register at tinyurl.com/rccp-altoona.

Come expecting God to deepen your prayer life and draw us together as a praying church!