Interim pastor

Interim pastor

YOUNGS-TOWN — The Rev. Bruce Ballantine is the interim pastor at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 3919 Southern Blvd.

He is a graduate of Grove City College, Grove City, Pa., and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Mr. Ballantine has served Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations in Oakmont and Burgettstown, Pa.; Weirton, W.Va.; and Wellsville.

Services at Pleasant Grove are at 10 a.m. Sundays.

His Music Connection

GIRARD — His Music Connection will host a concert from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the former Wellman Theater, 29 W. Liberty St.

Performing will be In 2 the Son from Akron and Emmaus from Niles.

Admission is free, along with food and refreshments.

For more information, visit www.hismusicconnection.com, or call (330) 539-5349.

Labyrinth walk

VILLA MARIA, Pa. — Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center will have a guided labyrinth walk from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Villa Maria Community Center. The labyrinth is a tool for enriching the spiritual journey.

Sister Therese Pavilonis will offer a brief history and introduction. Flutist Brian Kennard will provide music. No registration is required but is appreciated. Donation is $7. For information, call Cindy Wilpula at (724) 964-8920, ext. 3241, or send e-mail to cwilpula@humilityofmary.org.

Stand in the Gap

YOUNGSTOWN — Stand in the Gap, a youth ministry program aimed to empower youth through education and inspiration, is accepting registration for the fall 2009 program.

The program will be offered at the Youngstown YMCA Central Branch beginning Oct. 7 and at the D.D. & Velma Davis Family Branch beginning Oct. 8.

The program is open to 11- to 17-year-olds and will meet weekly to discuss a variety of topics including learning how to become active members of society, preparing for careers and dealing with difficult life situations.

Registration fee is required. For more information, call Justin Burnette Sr. at (330) 261-7799 or (330) 397-8566.

Flame Fellowship

BOARDMAN — Greater Youngstown Chapter of Flame Fellowship, an interdenominational ministry, will meet Monday at Georgeanna Parker Activity Center in Boardman Township Park. Fellowship will begin at 6:15 p.m. with the ministry at 6:30.

Guest speaker will be Mike Guarnieri, founding pastor of The Father’s House, an Assembly of God church in the Akron area.

Concert set

BOARDMAN — Donnie Abraham will be in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Christ’s Church, 7155 Glenwood Ave. His new CD is “It’s Not Too Late.”

Super Summer Sunday

MINERAL RIDGE — Ohltown United Methodist Church, 2001 Ohltown Road, will host a Super Summer Sunday at 9:45 a.m. this weekend with the Rev. Vernon Shepherd speaking on “Jesus, the Bread of Life.”

Refreshments and fellowship will follow in the pavilion adjacent to the church.

Special program

YOUNGSTOWN — “A Shepherd’s Cry” is the theme of a special program planned at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 in the DeYor Performing Arts Center at Powers Auditorium.

Featured will be Pastor Kenny Eldridge of Fellowship Tabernacle Christian Center, Pastor Wayne Brown of Gospel Temple and Pastor Kenneth W. Paramore of Christian Revival and Discipleship Center. They will participate with the Unity Mass Choir and other special guests.

Tickets are $10 and are available at Powers box office, (330) 744-0264; CRDC, 330 Hudson Ave., (330) 788-7530; and Gospel Temple, 279 Whipple Ave., (330) 755-3130.

Fellowship feast

YOUNGSTOWN — Beulah Baptist Church, 570 Sherwood Ave., will host a Christian fellowship feast from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church.

Featured will be games for children and adults and performances by choirs, soloists and spiritual dancers. Participants are asked to take a covered dish.

Revival scheduled

YOUNGSTOWN — Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 328 S. Forest St., will sponsor a revival at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Speakers will be: Monday, R. Kitchen of Oak Baptist Church; Tuesday, Rev. W. Gillespie, Church of Faith; Rev. C.L. Ellis of Morningstar Baptist Church; Thursday, Rev. H. Logan of Beulah Baptist Church; and Friday, Rev. George Wilkins of Mount Sinai church. Programs also will include praise teams.

Initial sermon

YOUNGSTOWN — Gregory Jones will deliver his initial message into the Gospel ministry at 4 p.m. Sunda at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 505 Parkcliffe Ave.

A former Make a Wish recipient, Gregory’s testimony of hope and faith in the midst of life threatening adversities will provide encouragement and challenge.

Jones attends Youngstown Early College and has been elected as the president for the class of 2011.

He also is a participant in the Sojourner to the Past and the local research group that studies the Underground Railroad System.

He also is active in the English Festival and Ohio Business Week programs sponsored by Youngstown State University.

Pastoral anniversary

YOUNGSTOWN — Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave., will celebrate the Rev. J. Dwayne Heard’s first year as senior pastor at the 10:45 a.m. service Sunday.

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin S. Baker of Southfield, Mich., will be guest speaker. He is a professor at the University of Michigan and the author of 14 books.

The Rev. Mr. Heard was licensed to preach Jan. 31, 1982, and ordained July 16, 2000. He was educated at Youngstown State University, the American Baptist Theological Seminary Extension Unit and Moody Bible Institute.

He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Malone College and is fiscal manager for the Center of Community Empowerment.

Mr. Heard is president of the Baptist Pastors Council of Youngstown and Vicinity.

Community choir

YOUNGSTOWN —The Community Choir for the Pray 3 Days event will rehearse from 9:30 to 11:30 today at Fifth Avenue Community Church, 1361 Fifth Ave.