There was a lot to celebrate at the Pastoral Anniversary and Appreciation Celebration on Sunday, October 12th, at Rehoboth Open Bible Church. The church, located at 888 East 56th Street, was adorned with sparkling red, gold and white decorations, as the congregation celebrated the 15-year anniversary of Pastors Leroy and Dalton Spencer.
The Spencers have attended Rehoboth Church for over 45 years, long before they became pastors, when they were “young people,” Mrs. Spencer laughed, and when the church was located at 5102 Avenue D. The two served the pastors before them and 15 years ago, they were offered an opportunity that would help enhance and expand the church that they grew up in and lead others to find their calling.
Over the past 15 years, the pastors have helped move the church to a location that provided more space, created an academic enrichment program and allowed individuals the opportunity to be leaders. The enrichment program is offered to elementary to college students, and it helps bridge the deficit for children within the community. “It produces tremendous results,” Mrs. Spencer said. “For all the kids that went through that program, all of them went to college.”
Mr. Spencer shared the vision for the future is expansion within the community. The pastors were elected as district directors in January 2024, allowing them to oversee several small churches. In November, they will host a Community Pastors Breakfast and invite those pastors and leaders as an opportunity to encourage those within the ministry. They will also embark into new territory by starting a food pantry at the church location and possibly, in time, free tax preparation for community members.
They provide all types of ministries (men’s, women’s, children, marriage, music, etc.) and opportunities to get involved, to develop their craft. The church streams their sermons allowing everyone, including people who can’t be there, to enjoy the service.
The pastors consider Rehoboth Church their family, and they have raised all four of their children there, becoming involved with music, multimedia arts and preaching. They look forward to growth and expansion in the future.
Sunday sermons are at 10 a.m. and Bible study is on Zoom during the week. All sermons are live streamed on YouTube and can be found by searching ROBCNY. For more information, visit their website, robcny.org, or email Rehoboth@robcny.org.
