Mission Trip to Plaid Community Church in Pennsylvania
By Larry Autry
In mid-February this year, Stephanie and I were looking at the upcoming mission opportunities at Trinity. We also felt that God might have something different in store for Trinity Missions this year.
So, similar to what we did a year or so ago with the New Orleans mission trip, we prayerfully went online to the Baptist on Mission listings showing the many places currently available to serve.
Long story short, God led us to a listing titled “Pastoral Family Care/Prayer Walking” in various areas of Pennsylvania.
The description said a team was needed to work with churches by prayer walking, visiting with pastors and wives, fellowshipping with church members, encouraging the visit, and then continuing that encouragement afterward by keeping in contact long-term with the pastor’s family and others.
We would also be working with the pastor to determine how Trinity could assist with other needs by sending additional mission teams to the church, such as construction, backyard Bible schools, and more.
We contacted the Consultant for Men’s Ministry at the NC Baptist State Convention, who in turn referred us to the Baptist on Mission coordinators for the Pennsylvania area, Dewey and Kathy Aiken. Dewey immediately said, “We have the perfect church for you,” and connected us with Plaid Community Church in Pittston, Pennsylvania.
We reached out to Pastor Stan Oschman and his wife Donna of Plaid and began putting plans into motion. After several conversations, we agreed on June 30, 2026, as the date for the trip.
Plaid Community Church is a new church plant called to reach out in the community and share the love of God by sharing His gift of salvation.
They believe the church is not a building, but the people. It offers a nonjudgmental atmosphere, a place where there are no dumb questions, and support for all who attend.
At first, growth was slow, but now things have really picked up. There have been over 124 baptisms at Plaid since 2020.
The team from Trinity was small, just four people, but it was exactly the team that God wanted to go. From the first day at Plaid, we felt very comfortable and welcomed. We were blessed every day as we fellowshipped with the members and Pastor Stan.
You could feel the love of God that every member had for each other and for us.
Plaid has also recently merged with the 134-year-old First Baptist Church of Wyoming Township. The membership of both churches now attends worship at Plaid.
Plans are to bring the First Baptist building up to standard and begin another congregation, Plaid of Wyoming.
I want to say thank you to all the members of Trinity who prayed for our team during this mission trip.
We could definitely feel God’s presence with us every day. I also want to thank all those who contributed funds to Plaid Church, its pastor, and its associate pastors.
Equally important, please continue to pray for God’s guidance for Plaid Church and its leadership as they go forward.
Also pray that God’s will will be revealed to Trinity as to what, when, and how He wants us to go forward in assisting Plaid Church.
