LEWISTOWN — In October 2018 a new idea was being formed over cups of coffee at East End Coffee Co. and that idea became a reality in Lewistown when the First Baptist Church, 111 E. Third St., Lewistown, donated its building to Calvary Harvest Fields Church in June of 2019.

Pastor Dan Nold of Calvary Harvest Fields in Boalsburg had a vision to see the number of Christ followers double in Mifflin County by the year 2030 and to catalyze an epic release of leaders. Nold has been lead pastor for 25 years at Calvary.

Nold began to share his vision with others in surrounding areas and Calvary Church branched out to locations all around the area, including Lewistown.

Boalsburg Harvest Field is the church’s central location. Other locations are in downtown State college, Tyrone, Penns Valley.

Sean Moon, facilitator of the opening of a church plant in Lewistown is now what Calvary refers to as the Gathering Pastor.

Moon said Calvary seeks to create a church without walls, or a meeting place for people in the community to come and receive acceptance and love without judgement.

Most Sundays the main teaching with Nold is brought to the outlying groups via satellite, but Lewistown has its own personality with live worship music and the services and acts of love and caring they offer to our local community, Moon said.

As the gathering pastor, Moon, brings teachings to the Lewistown location, but his main focus is connecting with people, helping hem get into life groups, and administrative responsibilities.

Calvary has a desire to unite churches and pastors in communities because they believe we are all better together. They have started joint nights of worship where meetings are held at different local churches to help with that coming together and be a strong supportive influence in our communities by praying for and offering help to our neighbors.

The church offers street ministries in which they deliver bread and soup to those in need. The church offers Bible study materials as well. The church seek a to build relationships with and be available to people in need and offer them any help that their resources allow.

Another wonderful thing they are bringing to the community is their children’s ministry with secure check in.

Calvary also encourages people to become involved with its life groups which offers a safe, supportive place to learn and grow together in a more intimate setting.

Representatives from Calvary are available at local events such as Kid Connection, Festival of Ice and Halloween parades.

Calvary promotes a concept called Front Yard Missions in which they encourage people to be intentional about praying for their neighbors and connecting with them by having a meal together or putting together a block party or simply engaging in a conversation and doing life together. Calvary will continue to seek to build community, connect people and keep building churches without walls.

Calvary holds services at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.calvarysc.org/lewistown or call (717) 248-7712.