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Pastor Robin Kirchner
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 Contact Info: pastorrobin@lwmcumberland.com
Born: November 20 in Rockville, MD and then relocated to Cumberland early in life.
Father: Charles Merle Kirchner- alive and well. Merle is a member of Living Waters Ministries and supplier of smiles and outdoor activities for Erick. Mother: Janice Kirchner- deceased
Siblings: Sister: Melissa married to Mathew and they have 3 children, Christy, Stacey and Amy Brother: Chris, has 1 son, Jacob Maternal Grandmother: Mary Miller- alive and well, 3 uncles, 4 aunts and numerous cousins, 2 uncle
Spouse: Kelli Son: Erick
Personal Testimony
My childhood is very vivid to me. I can remember playing in the woods behind my house on Averitt Ave and whooshing through down the street on my bike on Greene St. As life happens the young boy begins to grow into an adolescent and then a teenage. I suffered a lot of depression as a boy and the fact that my name is “Robin” caused a lot of people to make fun of me. These two factors came together and limited my ability to interact with others kids my age when I entered Middle School. I constantly suffered with a lack of self image, loneliness and depression. At the age of 12, I would cry myself to sleep. Somehow God in His great love began to plant thoughts in my heart pray before you go to sleep, read your bible even though I didn’t know how to do either, I tried. But this obedience would give me a glimmer of hope. Little did I know I was being introduced to the God who SO LOVED THE WORLD. But the enemy was encouraging me to abuse prescription drugs. I would sneak into the medicine cabinet to try to find a few hours of relief. Finally a call came from a young lady who is now my beautiful wife and the worlds’ greatest mother to my 4 year old son inviting me to a United Pentecostal church. At first when the call came I felt like not going but a voice said “You’d better go now.” A couple of weeks went by and one night when an old-fashioned Holy Ghost filled preacher, Rev. Lloyd Garlitz who has went to be with Lord, was at our church I went up to the altar and confessed my sins and before I knew it was speaking in other tongues as the spirit gave utterance and then was baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus. The heavy load I was carrying was taken away by the blood of Jesus. When I finally got through praying, I looked around and it was just me and Pastor James Shockey and he told me he would have stayed there all night with me for as long as I wanted to pray.
In the weeks and months starting from March 1, 1976 through June 1980 I was at every revival and service possible. It was during these years I met Jim Sprague the pastor’s son–in-law who was such an inspiration in prayer. I graduated from Oldtown High and shortly thereafter I joined the Army. In which God knows I really needed the discipline. The Army very rapidly began to knock off my rough edges. Due to many different field exercises I was not able to attend church. But three of my best friends received the Holy Ghost while on active duty. I was honorably discharged from the Army in the fall of 1984. At that time my heart began to feel a pull toward Truth Church where Mark Hanby was the pastor. It was a privilege to be there and experience the prayer room as well as his rich ministry and was there from 1985-1988. Kelli and I were married in 1985 and divorced in 1989. It was during that time that Bro. Mark Hanby felt his call to be an Apostle to the church at large. I teamed up with Jack Buckner who had a call especially to evangelize small churches from Texas to Alabama . I traveled with him faithfully and seen many mighty miracles from 1988-1996.
By 2000 my wife and I were remarried which is a story itself. In 2001 began attending Dallas First Church , in Dallas , TX . while continuing to minister to the small churches around Fort Worth . Both my wife and I felt our call to pastor in Cumberland . I can say it was a desire since 1976 and my wife’s for longer than that. We relocated from Fort Worth to Cumberland in August 2002. We found out we were expecting our one and only baby boy of which we are so proud of. That fall Living Waters Ministries was birthed in a community room then finally 31 Front St where we are presently. We have seen God do many mighty things in the lives and hearts of many people. In September we also became a part of the Pater Alliance with Bishop T.D. Jakes. The Lord directed me this year to cast the vision "In Search of Order" and God has been blessings us tremendously. We are so privileged that God has made the connection with us with Pastor Wayne and Margaret Holcomb of The Door Fellowship in Williamsport, PA and also Pastor Bill and Marjie Poliska of State College, PA. The Holcomb's recently taught a marriage seminar for several area churches and we so wish we had known 30 years ago what God has imparted to us now. God is calling us as individuals and corporately as the church to be in order. God not only spoke to me for our vision this year, He then began equipping us so that we can equip others. We are excited about what God is doing in Cumberland and you can be a part of it!!
Ministerial Experience:
Faith Talks Ministry: Evangelist from 1988- 2000. Organized and Implemented "Fresh Fire" Crusade to bring together many of the churches that I had evangelized in over the years in the Fort Worth area. God granted me this desire and the crusade was a success with a great outpouring of the Holy Ghost. God enabled me to pass the baton to Pastor Mike Watts of The Pentecostals of Fort Worth for what I call the Nehemiah Project. I did not see it with my own eyes, but I did hear it with my own ears as Pastor Ronnie Woods of Missionary Baptist Church was buried in the lovely name of Jesus after we had relocated to Cumberland. Just months before relocating to Cumberland, Pastor Woods opened his mid-week bible study to my wife and I and we taught his church the "Exploring God's Word" Bible Study. 11 received the Holy Ghost the night that we taught on the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and then 4 of them were baptized the night Pastor Woods was baptized.
DFC: Armor bearer for Closer Than Close- met wonderful man of God and I appreciated the nuggets of wisdom gleaned from Bro. Nathaniel Wilson and Bro. Jerry Dillon. Assisted with the Men's Ministry. I am thankful to Bro. Foster for allowing me to continue in the ministry that I had before attending DFC and to allow me to see a growing church in action.
New Life Tabernacle: I also thank Bro. Marshall Hall who let me home base at NLT and for his friendship to us over the years. It was at NLT that I was ordained through the Assemblies of the Lord Jesus and there is a special place in our hearts for Joe and Eloise Hester, Jim and Sharon Clamp, Wanda Prince, Gordon and Brenda North. We appreciate their friendship and prayers as God moved in our lives like we never even imagined.
Unique Prayer and Praise- Pastor Dorothy Oliver: Assistant to the Pastor, Music
Truth Church- Pastor Mark Hanby: Nursery Ministry, Half Way House, Tent Meetings, Street Ministry. My life has been forever affected by and through the prayer room and the teaching at Truth Church.
Work Experience
God blessed me after I took the step to start my own landscaping business in Ft Worth. Lawns by Robin was an avenue of income, mentoring and provision for ministry. Since coming to Cumberland, God has blessed me with another business endeavor REK Enterprises. Again it has been an avenue of income and an opportunity for ministry and a provision for the ministry.
Hobbies
- Jogging, working out at the Y
- Reading- my current book of choice at the moment is "Bringing Up Boys" by Dr. James Dobson
- Relaxing with my wife and going John Deering with my son. This spring we are going to try mudding.
- Listening to sermons and other teaching material: Some of the ministries that have spoken to my life through the avenue of media are Bishop T D Jakes, Pastor R. E. Libby, Pastor Noel Jones, Pastor Wayne Holcomb, Pastor Joe Perozich, Evangelist Greg Godwin, Dr. Jeffries, Pastor Jeff Arnold.
Favorites:
- Coffee, Coffee and More Coffee
- Cheesecake- any flavor
- Applebee's
- Mexican Food
- Christian Music- Newsboys are on my frequent list.
- Quiet time in the morning with God... nothing beats it.
- Weather- In the winter give me snow! In the spring and summer give me thunderstorms. I would like to ride with a tornado chaser - once. In the fall- I'm tracking hurricanes
Not so Favorite:
- Paperwork
- Checking my email
One Thing I Want Everyone To Know:
- I love my wife and adore my son!
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Pastor Kelli Kirchner
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Contact Info: pastorkelli@lwmcumberland.com
How can you cover a lifetime in a few paragraphs? I’m just going to hit the highlights. I grew up with 4 siblings. My sister Gwen and Mike, they pastor The Pentecostals of Fort Worth, Children: Allen and daughter-in-law Shanna, Anthony, Dustin, and Krista. My brother, Louie and Lori. They reside in Hanover PA. and if you hear a deep voice on the intercom at Lehigh that would be him. Children: Megan, Paul and Troy. My sister, Mari and Earl - They reside in Martinsburg and are the champion commuters to Frederick and Gaithersburg. Children: Travis, Dante. My sister, Janice and Donny – They reside in Muskogee, OK. Children: Chris and daughter in law, Robin and grandchildren Kenny, Ashley and Alicia,, and son Brandon. Mom recently returned to live in Cumberland and she serves with us at LWM as music minister. Grandma “Great” also resides in Cumberland and she to serves with us at LWM as our Community Outreach Minister. Pappy went to be with the Lord in 1999. Dad and Pat reside in Muskogee. Granny Lee went to be with the Lord in October . She had blessed the Ladies Auxilary at the UPC of Muskogee making beautiful and time consuming embroidery kitchen towels. If you attended OK District events you may have one of your handiworks in your kitchen. Grandpa passed away in 1986. I have been blessed by many, many wonderful people in my life, ministers, family and friends. Some bear mentioning. Aunt Sherry who’s been one of my best friends. Her children also hold a place in my heart: Monte and Karen Palmer, Sherry Renee and Children: Dominick and Gabrielle, Vernon and Ashley Kesner Children: Xavier, Eden, Alexis, Angel and BJ Curry Children: Taylor and Justice. My other aunts and uncles, Uncle Howard and Aunt Sandy, Aunt Doris, Uncle Dave and Aunt Ellen, Aunt Glenda Maxwell. Many cousins especially Jamie and his family, Richard, Charles, Clarence “Buddy” Thompson and Family, Frances and Clarence Thompson, the late Nathan Pulling. Best Friends for life: Wanda Prince, Beth Smith and Esther Roberts. I have had many friends but these three are special. It’s like when I talk to them time and distance means nothing and we can pick up where we left off. Many ministers who have meant something to my life: Pastor Nathan and Beulah Scoggins, Evangelist James and Connie Croom, Evangelist Eli and Kathy Hernandez, Evangelist Brandon Mocas, Pastor Wayne and Margaret Holcomb. Bro. Bill and Sis. Margie Poliska, Bro. Elias and Sis. Sandy Koteita, Bro.Bob and Sis. Jan Cruey, Bro and Sis. Meredith (Elder) Bro and Sis. Hanby Sr. (deceased) as well as my pastors who I mention later.
As you can tell my family is scattered here and there, one of the things that I like to do is send birthday cards and call trying to keep in touch as much as I can even in this hectic race we call life. I graduated from Frankfort High in 1979 and then later graduated from Allegany Community College in 1984 with a nursing degree. God gave me this career and it has served me well over the years.
Robin and I moved back from Fort Worth Texas in 2002 after being reunited in 2000. That is a story in itself that we are presently writing and will post at another time. My wonderful, precious Erick was born in March 2003 and my life is forever changed. We established Living Waters Ministries in 2002 and after a slow start in a school auditorium and a community room began to experience growth when we moved to our present Front St. location in June 2003. God is so amazing to me. The places, situations and people that have been in my life have all served to bring about this ministry in this place and time. I haven’t always understood things in life, some of them of my own making due to choices and others because God has redirected me all with a purpose. He truly does “MAKE” all things work together for the good. If I had to limit this bio to just a few words (thank goodness I don’t have to) I would borrow them from the pen of Bill Gaither “Something beautiful. Something good. All of my confusion Jesus understood. All I’ve had to offer Him was brokenness and strife but He made something beautiful out of my life.”
I have been blessed and have enjoyed working for the Lord in a variety of capacities. While growing up in “The Apostolic Church in Jesus “on Homer St under the pastorate of Rev. James and Kathleen Shockey I helped in Sunday school and sang in the choir. It remains a heart felt desire of mine to one day have a rally that gives honor to The Shockey’s. I resided in Muskogee for a while and I have never forgotten the kindness of Pastor and Sis. Shirel while I attended their church. I was struggling to work a full time job and part time going to college and make ends meet and was eating oatmeal and toast for most of my meals. I went by the church to pay my tithes as my work schedule kept me from regular church attendance. I handed my tithes to Bro. Shirel and he said thanks and then I as I was getting ready to leave, he handed them back to me and I said, you can’t do that, that’s my tithes and he said, the bible says to give it which you did and then from there its God's to do what He wants and He wants me to give them back to you. I have never forgotten that selfless act by him. I drove to the nearest Wendy's and enjoy a good hamburger and fries. As Pastors we too do our best to listen to what God wants for His people. At Truth Church under the pastorate of Pastor Mark and Gloria Hanby, I was coordinator of the nursery and later was able to help Pastor James and Carolyn Meredith open Tender Hearts daycare. I also helped in the church office and begin to gain the knowledge God has built upon that now comes to my aid on more than one occasion. I moved back to Maryland in 1989 and started attending Apostolic Lighthouse in Frederick. I was able to assist Pastor Mike and Sharon Mangold as their general go for this and go for that person, served as a Total Church Growth Director and assisted in the church office. Years and years ago Bro. Mangold asked me to start a church bulletin. I still have one of my early works hidden away. When I get it out I pity the church people but I’m thankful for their kindness towards those early works as my experience has gain in that area and now is an avenue of ministry in itself through newsletters and bulletins. I then relocated to Gaithersburg, MD to the dynamic church of Christian Life Center under the tender and caring pastorate of Pastor Ron and Linda Libby along with a host of wonderful assistant and associate pastors. Here I was able to be a part of a growing, healthy church, served as Care Leader and assisted in the office. CLC imparted so much to me and Living Waters Ministries is modeled from that teaching and experience. At Dallas First Church with Pastor Tom and Gayla Foster. I was able to assist in the conference “Closer than Close” and their community outreach days. We have used that concept at LWM. We were glad to support the Vision of the House while we were there. We did not get to be a part of the construction but was thrilled for DFC when we visited after the new sanctuary was built. And our visits to the Potters' House and hearing Bishop T. D. Jakes has impacted my life as well. Then last but certainly not least, I am humbled and honored to serve my Pastor, Robin Kirchner, husband, love of my life, friend, and the saints of Living Waters Ministries as the Executive Pastor. What does that mean? Is it just a fancy title? The word executive means- executor of the vision – that’s me. When Pastor or another member of the team has a vision, goal or desire- I help that to become a reality.
I am so excited about what God is doing in Cumberland I can hardly contain myself. My life and testimony is still in the making and as Paul Harvey would say and now for the rest of the story……..
Favorites
- Reading: Church Growth, Leadership, Mysteries
- Water- muddy puddles, lakes, streams, oceans, drippy facets, desktop fountains.
- Spending time with my husband and son
- Watching my son - he is simply amazing - 5 years old going on 20.
- Cats- We have 12 cats
- Drinking Dr. Peppers- Sheetz on Greene St. has the perfect mix.
- Applebee’s
- Chocolate Milk Shakes from Chick A Fil
- Sonic Onion Rings- I'm still praying for a Sonic and a Cracker Barrel to come to Cumberland.
Not So Favorites
- Housework
- Cooking- now the nights that Pastor Robin cooks we either eat out or carry in. He's the best cook!!!! LOL!!!
The one thing that I want everyone to know
I love my husband with all my heart, I love my son and my family and I love my God. (Actually that’s more than one thing, of well).
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Music Ministry-Bonnie Locke
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Contact Info: music@lwmcumberland.com
I make no boast except in the mercy and grace and saving power of Jesus Christ! I am exceedingly thankful for opportunity’s and ministries that God has allowed in my life to teach me, guide me, prepare me, refine me and love me.
I have four children, 3 daughters and a son, and their spouses, Kelli and Robin Kirchner, who also Pastor me, Gwen and Mike Watts, Lew and Lori Johnson, Mari and Earl Lee and am grandmother to 6 grandchildren and 3 step-grandchildren. My quiver is full and I am blessed.
I have 1 sister, Sherry Bloom of Winchester, VA and no brothers. My father, Paul Hansell passed away in 1999. My mother, Mary Hansell is the outreach coordinator for Living Waters Ministries, where I attend.
I was born again by the spirit of God in 1975. Shortly after that was blessed to attend Wide World Ministries Bible College in Fort Worth Tx under the direction of Dr Mark Hanby, where the flame for the passion of HIS presence and for praise and worship was fanned and still burns today.
After graduation I returned to my home town of Cumberland MD and served as organist for Pastor James and Kathleen Shockey at the Apostolic Church. Several years later I became affiliated with Love’s Way Christian Fellowship in LaVale MD and served as Minister of Music there for 11 years under Pastor Pat Malone and associates- Paul Yoder, Tom Wegman and Jim Stewart. This was not only a time when I was blessed to serve with a tremendously gifted and committed praise team but was counseled and loved to life by the ministries there.
For 1 year I was with Immanuels Church in Silver Spring MD, Pastored by Charles and Dotty Schmidt and sat under anointing teachings. Here I also was introduced to the Ministry of Arts, specifically dance, flags and banners as worship unto God. I served as Home Group co-ordinator for the Germantown area.
God directed me to move to Frederick MD and for 5 years I was at Monacacy Valley Church under Pastor Mark Vandermeer, the last 2 years there I served as elder.
All I can say is-although I’ve moved various times-God has ALWAYS placed me with the best of the best and I have been privileged to glean from many ministers and ministries in my journey and he has blessed me with great Chrisitan friends.
I have been the Minister of Music at Living Waters Ministries for almost 4 years. Although we are still small we DO have a passion for his presence, for praise and worship and for unity in the Body of Christ and for practical Christianity.
My heart song reflects Chris Tomlin’s words-”How can I keep from singing your praise-How can I ever say enough-How amazing is your love” and it truly is “an endless song that echoes in my soul.”
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Community Ministry -Sis. Hansell
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Contact Information: community@lwmcumberland.com
 As you can tell from this old white head that I have been serving the Lord for a lot of years. Truly I have been blessed to know Him and to serve Him still today. Many times as we are ministering in the centers and the nursing homes,I look around at people there that are much younger than me in need of help and I give God thanks and praise for allowing me 82 years of life this coming November and to be in as good a health as I am. I just want to do all that I can for my God.
My husband, Paul and I, were privileged to help my uncle, Rev. Clarence Wakefield begin the church here in Cumberland. We started in a store room and were later able to help build the church in its present location at 400 Homer St. While we labored with Bro. Wakefield we helped as youth leaders and Sunday school teachers among other things. Whatever the church was doing you would find us there. One particular family still holds a place in my heart today and that is the Grogg family, Roger, Susie and Kay. I felt lead of the Lord to ask a young man by the name of James Shockey to speak in our youth service. He did and it was very evident that he was nervous. After the service he came to me and said, "Don't ever ask me to do that again." And I said Ok, unless the Lord directs me to. Many months went by and again I felt lead of the Lord to ask this young man, James Shockey, to speak. I told him that the Lord won't let me get away from it. So, he reluctantly agreed. My friend, I'm here to tell you, that that night, the power of the Lord hit Bro. Shockey and he began to preach like a fire ball and that is the night that he accepted his call from God to preach. Some time later, I was privileged to have him as my pastor. My husband and I also pastored for a time in Romney WV in the mid to late 60's. God was good to us. We had quite a few of the children and teens from the WVA School for the Blind attend our church while they were at the school. It does my heart good when the phone rings and on the other end is one of "our children" from the school. Due to health reasons, we moved back to our home church in Cumberland. Then in the mid 80's my husband and I relocated to Florida. It was a life long dream I guess you could say of Paul's and so we did it. We enjoyed our life there, spending time with my brother, Buck, who has since passed away. We moved back home in 1997 to the Winchester area. Paul was not feeling his perkiest by that time and we settled in. In November 1999, the Lord took home the most precious person in my life. I have still not gotten over it. The Lord gave me Paul because he knew he was the only one that would put up with me. He could do just about anything. One house that we lived in earlier in life; he moved the location of our bathroom in our house 4 or 5 times just to satisfy me. Love doesn't get any better than that.
I desired to come back to my home town, Robin and Kelli were here by that time starting Living Waters Ministries and so the Lord made a way for me to sell my house in Winchester and I moved into a small, I mean a small little house. Even in it's smallness I am thankful that I can still live on my own and take care of myself. I have been serving with Pastor Robin even before moving back to Cumberland and I help wherever I'm needed.
Favorites
- tending to plants
- tending to my dog, Shadow
- reading poems and stories online
- working on my songs getting them ready for the next community service.
- Spending time with my family. Bonnie will take me on “a day trip” we’ll just get in the car, drive sometimes to no particular place, eat and then come back home. I never know where she is going to take me; I’m along for the ride.
Not so Favorite
- things are done so differently now than when I first came to the Lord.
The one thing that I would want everyone to know
Before the Lord takes me, I would like to spend time with each and every one of my grandchildren.
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Care Ministry-Barbara Ponton
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Contact Info:care@lwmcumberland.com
Born November 28 in Vesuvius, VA
Parents were Raymond and Helen Shoemaker Berkstresser
Brothers and wives
Lee and Bonnie Berkstresser, Shelly and Tim Preston, Shannon and Chad Berkstresser, Robert and Sue Berkstresser, his sons Kevin and Bobbi Berkstresser, Corey Berkstresser and their daughter Jordan, Ray and Linda Berkstresser. William Edward Berkstresser passed away at age of 14 due to heart condition in December, 1952, Etta Lois Berkstresser at age 17 was killed in a car accident with her boyfriend in May, 1970
My husband, David and I will celebrate our 40th year anniversary on June 28. We were blessed with 4 children whom I am very proud of, one of their greatest accomplishments is that they are active Christians, serving the Lord. Our son, SPC Andrew Ponton, is in US Army stationed in Iraq and will be home at Fort Stewart, GA in April, his wife Becky Lynn and son Zachary, Our other son, Mark and Ondrea Ponton are celebrating their 1 year anniversary this year. They live and work in Nashville, he at Voight and she at EMI Christian recording company. Our daughter, Lois Jean Ponton, lives at Buena Vista, VA. She does sewing and likes to draw and she also is an accomplished horse rider for Hoofbeats. Christina, our youngest daughter, is a preschool teacher at Kids Harbor at First Church of Nazarene, Port Republic Road in Harrisonburg, VA where she is also very active in the church. Christina is not only my daughter but my friend.
I attended the Vesuvius Baptist Church and at age 13 was baptized by Rev. William Alford and always serve the Lord in Sunday school, Training Union and when I learned to use the bible was trained in teaching, mission groups and bible studies, taught in Vacation Bible School and Nursery. My mother was a Christian who served the Lord all of her life and passed away on February 5, 2003, and always encouraged us in the serving the Lord. I will never forget the peace my mother had the day after my sister had been killed, her mother and family were Christians and was an influence in my life, my father was baptized in the Methodist church as a baby and attended until he went in the CCC's during the war. He became an alcoholic in his adult life but came to know the Lord in later years and was saved when he passed away in January, 1995.
All of our children were dedicated to the Lord as babies, we served the Lord at Vesuvius Baptist Church until in February, 1979 we moved to Cumberland, MD. We did not know at the time it was of the Lord but we know it now. We attended the First Baptist Church on Bedford Street, and became members where each of the children was baptized. In the spring Judy Young asked me to teach in the children’s class in Vacation Bible School, I told her I never had but would do it and from there I taught in Preschool, Nursery, Children Sunday School, Assistant Sunday School Director, Vacation Bible School Director, Director the Christmas Program, Chairman of Kitchen Committee and Nominating Committee, and mission groups.
I went to work at the Cumberland Nursing Home in September, 1994 and had to work weekends and evening hours so I had to give up the church work, attended when I was off. I attended with David some at Love's Way and some on my own with Andy, then he was going to Church of God in Cumberland, they had services at night and attended with him and became a member and worked in the Nursery. I went to Wesley Chapel Church of Brethren with Becky and Zachary while Andy was in basic training to support her and then David was attending Living Waters Ministries. I started attending and have always felt the love and was embraced. I was not criticized because I didn't worship like them, but I have grown as a Christian and in serving the Lord. About 2 years ago on a Sunday night, Pastor was teaching on the tabernacle of the Lord and afterward the teaching I went up for prayer, Pastor Robin told me to raise my hands and I received the Holy Ghost. When I did I saw the most beautiful peaceful blue that I have every seen in my life. It still has stayed with me. I’d been director of our Vacation Bible School and am teaching in Children’s Sunday School with Sister Kelli, the Care Ministry, I’m a part of the leadership team and serving the Lord on the community outreach team with Sister Hansell.
I have always prayed, read my bible, and worshipped the Lord; one thing that has helped grow is the bible studies I have taken of Beth Moore's. I want to continue to grow in the Lord and have a future and hope in the Lord.
Favorites:
- Cooking
- Crocheting
- Spending time with family
- Doing church work
- Listening to Gospel Music
Not So Favorites
- Finances
- Talking on the telephone with business people
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Ladies Ministries-Christina Gano
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Contact Info:ladies@lwmcumberland.com
 I was born on January 4th. At an early age we moved to Charles town, WV. As an early adult we lived in Piedmont, WV. Later moving back to Cumberland, Md. As fate would have it, we moved right in front of the house where my mother had me. Now I reside in Keyser, WV. with my husband and a son-Kenneth Allen and two daughters Felicia and Korinthia. My parents, Allen and Evelyn Van Meter, who are very strong and faithful Christians. God has kept his hand on both their lives. I have a sister-Shelly who is married to Daniel Judy. They also have a son-Daniel and two daughters -Deanna and Carra Lynn. Her companionship since moving back to Keyser from serving in the military has been a blessing. She always shows up to go somewhere/anywhere just when I need to get out. I have several aunts and uncles from my father’s side. My mother was an only child. My parents were the first to introduce me to the Lord, like most youngsters at the time I was not really ready to commit. Pastor Jack and Betty Lease(Aunt and Uncle) were there for me when I w as ready to commit and I owe them a huge thanks to their guidance through those early years. Although God led me elsewhere when I moved from the area they are still close in my heart.. My Uncle Aubrey and Aunt Wanda Johns who have the gift of making anyone laugh no matter what her situation may be. Thank you to Uncle Aubrey for strengthening my husband in the work force and having patience with him. I have 2 other uncles-Ray and Rocky Van Meter married to Brooke Van Meter who was close to me growing up. I thank them for making life fun. Then I have my Aunt Barbara and Richard Michael who were my second parents. Barbara is now deceased. . WIth all of that said, I feel the need to especially thank my mother and father. Seeing them and their struggles, depending on God, I am and have been encouraged by their tower of faith. It's through their prayers and tears I am where I am today,giving everything I have to the Lord and depending on Him through all circumstances.The greatest gift to me was leading me to salvation. I give God the glory formost and for giving me two amazing people to raise me. Mom and Dad, I'm sorry for those younger years,but it is because of you and the Lord's guidance through you ,that I am turning out to be the person I am today. Don't go away because I still need you for encouragement and guidance...your jobs not finished yet. I in turn, will be here for you. I encourage everyone to thank their parents for what they have done for them. Time seems long but really it is very short when one has been taken to glory and you have not taken the time to thank them for being in your life.
You may look at my photo thinking where I know her from like so many others I run into. I was employed at the White Oaks Family Dollar for a period of time, then at the Family Dollar downtown Cumberland. I was also employed at White Oaks and the downtown Goodwill. This opened many doors for me to minister to people coming in and a lot of tourists as well. You have no idea how many people are just looking for a friend and needing just anybody to listen. I became that person. They would come in not to buy but just to talk to someone; this is the part of the job that I enjoyed the most. I have met some outstanding people this way that normally others would turn their heads from. My sister and I opened our own store for a short period of time. There's nothing like owning your own business. Everything going on becomes a part of you. I now listen to God to lead me through the next open door.
How I really met God not just knowing his name: I knew of God growing up through Sunday school and as a young adult going to church on and off. I used to be a skipper in school and it carried on thru church as well. I became serious about God through a dream, which I have shared with many others. In this dream my sister and I were going to visit our parents, knowing that they were usually home at this particular time. Getting know answer when we called, we thought nothing of it. After calling several times with no answer we drove there and sure enough they were not home. We began to call anywhere they may be, no one had seen them. We went to our aunts and she wasn’t home either knowing her to be a strong Christian a thought crossed our minds at the same time. It was just one word RAPTURE. We settled each other down and went to sit on her porch making our pone calls. All of a sudden, a hole started to form in the ground. The hole kept getting deeper as if there were no end. Things we never seen started to come from this hole. Creatures and flames came barreling from this hole. I then seen us in this place walking over ashes and coals hearing screams like never before. I seen cells with bars on them so hot they were red. People were crying out but I saw no faces or bodies. The farther I walked my body felt hotter as though it were going to burst into flames. The screaming got louder and fiercer as I walked. I began to see chains on the walls around me. The walls looked like caves. I heard a voice say "this was the way to damnation, you are mine follow me". I woke up in a cold sweat and scared out of my mind. Needless to say it woke me up. I never had a dream so real. If I didn't know any better I had swore I was there. After telling my mother of this, she said to me that she prayed for God to do whatever it took to get me in church. To do or show me whatever it will take, good or bad. During this time I was brought to my knees physically as well. I had a spinal tap showing I have lupus. That procedure left me nearly paralyzed for 2 weeks. I could not get out of bed. When I was able to get up I still could not walk without a walker and then had to use a cane for a while. I had excruciating headaches and pains in my joints. This started me in prayer, leading me to Pastor Robin and Kelli Kirchner. My parents were going there at that time in my life. I felt closeness personally and spiritually the first time I walked in the door. I am now and will continue to be an active part at LWM for as long as the Lord leads me. From that point on I learned to trust and follow whatever God has for me and my husband with the guidance of my pastor and his wife, I know where my roots are.
Now the fun stuff:
Hobbies-not necessarily in this order - scrap booking-always first
- photography-only an amateur
- writing about experiences-mine and others
- reading and studying almost anything
- beading jewelry-gets expensive
- praise and worship concerts-this is also a first when I can afford it
- singing for the Lord-also one of my first
Two most important things to me:
- spending time with my husband especially and all my family and relatives
- seeing those gorgeous gates in heaven and Jesus looking back at me smiling because my journey is over
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Men's Ministries- Kenny Gano
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Contact Info: men'sminstries@lwmcumberland.com
Born: May 30, in Charles Town, WV. I was and still am a country boy. Youngest of nine children
Parents: Hilda and Herman Gano (both deceased) My father passed away when I was 7 years old. I didn't really know him very well but I can remember working on the the farm with him.
Sibling: Sherry Gano and Eric and their family Jackie and Shawnee, Nancy Bingamon and her daughter Crystal. Susy and David Gano and their sons David and Willy, Pat Gano Gaither and Mike and their 2 daughters, Becky and Beth. Sadly my other siblings had been removed from our home and adopted, they were never known to me.
Testimony: I came from an alcoholic family being raised in bars where my mother worked. This led me down the wrong road getting me into trouble as I grew up. Associating with the wrong crowd of people using drugs. I stole from stores and other wrong doings. I met my wife the day of a funeral I was attending. We had our three chldren at a very young age. We moved to Cumberland and had a job at PTI and was fired due to drug testing. I admitted myself into the Massey unit and that point but still continued down the wrong road. I was arrested for DUI. I stopped drinking and a few months later stopped using drugs.
I was in and out of church until I came to LWM. It's there that I found where I belonged. LWM has changed my life in many ways. Everyone is treated equally, no matter who you are or what your background may be. I believe I was put here for a purpose. After the Presbytery Meeting on March 2, I realized I had a purpose to serve God, serve the church and plant my roots. Helping in any way possible.
Work Experience: I had worked at Wamplers now known as Pilgrims Pride in Moorefield for five long years before receiving my present job at American Woodworks where I have now been for three years and was recently given a job position that I had been praying for. I have also worked at Masters, Inc in the warehouse, Keyser Elementary as a groundskeeper and at Goodwill and PTI. Like I've told Pastor, I'm can do a lot, just don't ask me to paint unless you want the paint anywhere but where it is suppose to go.
Spouse: Christina Gano
Children: Felicia who graduated last year, Kori who graduates this year and Kenny Allen who is in the process of completing his GED.
Hobbies:
Three most important things to me:
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Serving God
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My Family
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My Job
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