Children's Ministry

"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."  1 John 2: 28

Our Covenant Kids, children ages 3 thru 6th grade, meet weekly on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm during the school year to promote growth in the love of Christ through Bible teaching, singing, prayer, social interaction, and snack time. We encourage our children  to live out God’s commands and to begin cultivating relationships with and respect for the leaders and each other as they interact. Biblical teaching remains central in all aspects of this important ministry as we teach our little ones the joy of loving and serving Christ.

The third week of every June, we offer Vacation Bible School to our children, encouraging them to invite classmates and friends to this one-week event.  Children learn about the gospel in a fun-filled environment inspired by the Great Commission curriculum.

All in all, we seek to help our children to develop spiritually and to nurture friendships rooted in God’s love. These friendships provide the building blocks of who they are becoming. Encouraging our youngsters to grow spiritually in Christ while they are still young gives our children a firm foundation on which to build their lives.
 
We encourage parents and children to invite others in their communities to attend. God is knocking on little hearts.

​Youth Ministry

". . . that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting."  Ephesians 4: 14

Our Youth Group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings beginning at 6:30pm during the school year. Activities include Bible instruction, fellowship with one another, team building activities, singing contemporary and traditional songs of praise, and, of course, snacks. The youth group leaders seek to encourage youth to embrace that which the Holy Spirit has already begun in their lives, nurturing an environment to help students through life’s difficult circumstances and relationships. Our hope is that friendships will demonstrate Christ-like attitudes and beliefs and that our youth will learn to seek after friends and relationships that glorify God throughout their lives.
 
Our youth gather in the summertime for a one-week program focused on Bible teaching and fellowship in an atmosphere of fun. 
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We also encourage our youth to participate in activities that share the love of Christ with others through community service and group work parties for elderly and infirm. Youth participate in outreach through prayer and projects that support missionaries and disaster relief.  

​College Ministry

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. "  Joshua 1:9

In close proximity to Grove City College, Westminster College, and Slippery Rock University, Hillcrest endeavors to seek after and meet the needs of college students.  Hillcrest provides college Sunday school with the adults of the church and college fellowship on Sunday evenings from 8:00pm. to 9:00pm. Hillcrest also provides an opportunity for students to fellowship with families of the church through Hospitality Sunday dinners after morning worship on select Sundays during the school year. We want our students to feel part of a vibrant, caring community of faith.
 
College life can be very challenging as students learn to balance many aspects in their lives. Sometimes God’s grace may seem distant. College Ministry at Hillcrest seeks to help students find or nurture a joyful, trusting relationship with Christ. 

​Women's Ministry 

"For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest,
Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
And her salvation as a lamp that burns."    Isaiah 62:1

The purpose of our WIC ministry (Women in the Church) is that every woman know Christ personally and be committed to extending His kingdom in her life, home, church, community and throughout the world. To that end, WIC meets regularly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:00am and the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30pm. WIC also holds various social activities throughout the year to encourage fellowship, and we endeavor to share God’s love with others through many service projects.
 
The joy of fellowship is rooted deeply in WIC. Through the many activities involving the women of the church, we develop strong, godly friendships. We encourage women to share the many aspects of striving toward holiness while balancing the rigors of life.​
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​Men's Ministry

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."    Hebrews 10: 24-25

Our men of the church and friends gather for Men's Fellowship on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm, where we share in Bible Study, fellowship, and discussion. Men bring their cares and concerns as we discuss a topic for the evening, pray, and sing praises to God. We strive to promote a true fellowship of believers as we read Scripture or Scripture-based books and share in joys and sorrows, developing meaningful friendships. We endeavor to keep our discussions Christ-centered and Bible-based.  We are currently reading and discussing the book “The Character of Christ” by Jonathan Landry Cruse .
 
As we worship God, we bow down and humble ourselves and invite God, through the Holy Spirit working in our lives, to direct our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. This is transferred through relationships into circumstances. Our true joy, through fellowship with other believers in this effort, is to draw closer to Christ as He brings others closer to Him.

​​​Missions

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28: 19-20

​As a Reformed, confessional evangelical church, we have great impetus to preach the Gospel and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to our  surrounding communities and around the world.  To that end, we support and participate in short-term missions to other nations. Through connections with various organizations, teams have gone to Haiti, Tanzania, and Guatemala to provide service and evangelism. This gives the congregation opportunity to fund and pray for those involved in a very personal way.

In addition, we support many local missions. Private Christian schools, area pregnancy centers, and the City Rescue Mission of New Castle are among the charitable organizations we assist through our financial and prayerful support. Individuals as well as WIC or Men’s Fellowship volunteer at some of these organizations. In all of these and other efforts, we continually bring our missions before the congregation to remind and inform all of us of this important charge of our Lord.