ABOUT

OUR MISSION

Community Bible Church exists to glorify God by producing mature followers of Jesus Christ.

OUR VALUES

Proclaiming the Gospel

At Community we prioritize the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. All of our ministries—from Sunday School to worship, children’s, youth, and adult Bible studies—are centered on Scripture.

Living out the Gospel

In Community with our fellow church member we value living a life that shows the power of the Gospel.

Sharing the Gospel

With our local Community in mind we value the command to take the gospel to every creature.

OUR CHURCH PROFILE

1. Who We Are

At Community Bible Church, our mission is to glorify God by producing mature followers of Jesus Christ. Our core values are Proclaiming the Gospel, Living out the Gospel, and Sharing the Gospel.

A. Proclaiming the Gospel: We prioritize the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. All of our ministries—from Sunday School to worship, children’s, youth, and adult Bible studies—are centered on Scripture.

B. Living out the Gospel: In Community with our fellow church members, we value living a life that shows the power of the Gospel.

C. Sharing the Gospel: With our local Community in mind, we value the command to take the gospel to every creature.

Community Bible Church’s members represent a diversity of ages, educational levels, occupations, and incomes. We are primarily Caucasian (which is typical of our area), with a mixture of blue- and white-collar professions represented. Sunday morning services at Community Bible Church engage the congregation in Christ-centered worship with a contemporary- style worship team and a mix of old and new songs. Expository preaching, straight from scripture, gives opportunity for growth and a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Church members are encouraged and equipped to be active participants in our ministries as we strive to further our mission to produce mature followers of Jesus Christ.

Our average weekly church attendance in 2025 was 145. As of 2026, our church has 133 members, along with an additional 55 regular attendees who are non-members.

2. Introduction and History

Community Bible Church is located along South Forge Rd. and Hinkle Rd. in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, nestled just between Palmyra and the edge of Campbelltown. This community has a strong residential focus, geared toward family life with quiet neighborhoods and highly rated schools.

Community Bible Church was formed in 1963, with meetings held in the homes of charter members. The Palmyra UCC church offered to rent their vacated building at the corner of Main St. and Chestnut St. in Palmyra, with the option of purchasing the property after two years. The first service in the church was a prayer meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1963. The first Sunday service was held on Nov. 10, 1963, with Lloyd Herr as the founding pastor.

At the end of two years, in 1965, the church decided to purchase the building. In November 1967, Lloyd Herr began his full-time ministry for the church, having been employed previously with Hershey Estates while serving as an interim pastor of the church.

In November of 1973, on the 10 th anniversary of the founding of the church, the mortgage of the building on Main St. was paid off. A special candlelit service was held, and the church mortgage was burned. In July of 1974, the church purchased 13 acres of land on the south side of Palmyra with the intention of future expansion.

In 1978, Pastor Lloyd Herr retired from the pastorate. Over the next 20 years, the church had five more lead pastors:

  • Pastor Richard Metcalf (1978-1981)

  • Pastor Kim Gee (1981-1985)

  • Pastor Howard Rainwater (1985-1989)

  • Pastor Thomas Wiley (1990-1997)

  • Pastor Greg Wilson (1998-2025)

In March 1998, the old tract of land (purchased in 1974) was sold, and a new 10-acre property on the corner of South Forge and Hinkle Roads was purchased in December. On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, CBC moved into its new church building on that property. The 20-year mortgage taken out in 2001 was paid off by 2008. In 2009, the size of the building was doubled with the addition of an educational wing.

As a result of the church’s growth, Caleb Hodgson began as the pastor of Worship and Children’s Ministries in June 2004. CBC is in search of a new lead pastor, with Mike Brubaker currently serving as interim.

3. Worship and Music

We have one Sunday morning service at 10:00 a.m., and a livestream available on our YouTube channel, Community Bible Church Palmyra. Musically, Community Bible Church is mostly contemporary, but hymns are frequently included in the service.

4. Sunday School

We offer Sunday School classes for all ages beginning at 9:00 a.m. Adults gather for a Bible study led by our Lead Pastor. Children are welcomed into a safe and caring environment with a nursery, toddler room, and age-appropriate classes located in our Sunday School wing. We also offer a high school class and a young adult’s class that provides opportunities for Bible study, fellowship, and spiritual growth.

5. Children’s Ministry

Our Children’s Ministry exists to see children come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, to be changed by the gospel, and to grow in their knowledge of the Bible. Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers during both the 9:00 a.m. Sunday School hour and the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Children’s Church is available for ages 3 through 3rd grade during the Worship Service. Children are dismissed after congregational singing. Kid’s Club is open to all kids in our community, ages 3 through 5 th grade, and meets on Sunday nights from 5:30–7:00 PM during the school year (September–April). Our VBS is a summer highlight that has large community impact.

6. Youth Ministry

The CBC youth group exists to create disciples of Jesus Christ through Gospel-centered teaching and community living with the goal of transformation of the whole self to reflect the image of our Savior. Our meetings during the school year are Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and Sunday nights from 5:15-7:00 p.m., as well as regularly scheduled events. We have a committed team of adult leaders.

7. Life Groups

Men’s Ministry: Several times throughout the year, we host a Men’s Prayer Breakfast at CBC. Each gathering begins with a time of fellowship and breakfast, followed by a brief devotional and a focused time of prayer. Man Church, a meeting group designed to help men embrace their calling as Christ-followers, meets on either Saturday mornings or Thursday evenings.

Women’s Ministry: The Women’s Bible Study meets every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.

Young Adults Ministry: Our young adults gathering, Embers, meets every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and is for ages 18-29. The Young Men’s Bible Study meets every other Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., and the Young Women’s Bible Study meets every other Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

8. Outreach

CBC seeks to introduce people to Christ through a variety of outreach opportunities including:

  • Vacation Bible School

  • Trunk or Treat

  • National Night Out

  • Easter Eggstravaganza

  • Operation Christmas Child

  • Baby Bottle Change Collection

9. Global Partnerships/Missions

CBC is intentional in supporting and participating in outreach, both here and abroad.

10. Physical Facility

11. Leadership Structure

Our leadership structure consists of Elders and Deacons. Currently serving are five Elders and six Deacons.

Elders have general oversight of the life and work of the church including worship, preaching, ordinances, evangelism, visitation, discipline, finances, and maintenance of the property

Deacons have the general responsibility of being sympathetic and benevolent in service to the church, providing physical and material care as needed.