Meet the Overbys

 

Our first Penn Valley Church 422 Campus Church Planting Team members!

I am excited to introduce our first planting teammates, the Overbys. Devon and Ashley served with me in Student Ministry at Penn Valley’s Telford Campus and I had the privilege of officiating their wedding on May 27, 2007.  They are good friends and have already proven to be a great source of encouragement in this time of transition.  I sat down with them recently to talk about church planting and their story: here are a few excerpts of our conversation.

Refresh my memory regarding how you first met.

Ashley: “We met during my freshman year at Cedarville University.  My roommate and I had devised a strategy for meeting new people.  At Cedarville students typically saved seats with friends in the cafeteria by leaving their student ID cards at a table before getting their food.  We would simply place our cards next to a random cluster of cards at a table and enjoyed meeting the new people we would find upon our return.  We met Devon and some of his friends a couple times this way and learned that they didn’t receive much mail, so we took it upon ourselves to send them some.  Devon replied to my note and shortly there after we began talking and spending more time together.  The rest is history.”

How did you end up at Penn Valley Church?

Devon:“My family first came to Penn Valley as I was finishing high school.  My parents wanted to find a healthy student ministry for my brother and I.  When Ashley and I came back to the area after college we wanted to be intentional about our involvement in church. We ultimately choose Penn Valley because of the scope of ministry we observed taking place that was outward in its focus.  We were also attracted to the emphasis on church planting.” 

Do you have a favorite memory from your time in Student Ministry?

Ashley: “Choosing one is tough.  We really enjoyed the time we spent in Student Ministry.  The Yearly Welcome Retreats were always a highlight and provided a host of great memories!”

What made you decide to be a part of this Church Plant?

Devon: “We took a break from student ministry and spent some time praying, wondering where God might be leading us.  It was during that time that we first heard about the possibility of joining the 422 planting team.  We discovered that we both had a passion for planting and a sense that the church is about developing people who then share the ministry of developing others.  We have received a ton and want to begin sharing what we have received with others.  This opportunity seemed to be what God was leading us towards.

Devon and Ashley are expecting their first child this summer and are excited about moving to the area and engaging the community we seek to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so thankful for the blessing of such incredible partners!  Please continue to pray for the development of our Team.