2025 ABF Electives
During the summer months, our regular Adult Bible Fellowships take a break while we offer a series of elective classes. We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to hear some new teachers, meet some new folks, and explore some new topics! We know summer is busy, so we understand if you can't attend every session - just come when you can! No registration required!
Scroll down for descriptions of our classes!
session 1: July 13-27
Doing Life with Your Adult Children
TEACHER: Vanisa Weist
TIME: First Service (9AM)
LOCATION: Room A3
DESCRIPTION: If you have an adult child, you know that parenting doesn’t stop when a child reaches the age of eighteen. In many ways, it gets more complicated. Both your heart and your head are as involved as ever, whether your child lives under your roof or rarely stays in contact. In Doing Life with Your Adult Children, parenting expert Jim Burns helps you navigate the toughest and the most rewarding parts of parenting your grown kids. He shares positive principles on bringing kids back to faith, ideas on how to leave a legacy as a grandparent, and encouragement for every changing season. This class is ideal for parents and grandparents with children nearing and in adulthood.
TECHER BIO: Vanisa is the chair of the Deaconess Board at LEFC. She and her husband Tim began attending LEFC in 2002, the same year they were married, and became members in 2004. They have two young adult children.
Contested Topics in Theology
TEACHER: Drew Huber
TIME: First Service (9AM)
LOCATION: Room A4
DESCRIPTION: Have you ever read the beginning of Genesis and wondered what it meant when it says the sky is water? Or maybe what all of those trumpets in Revelation actually mean? Well it has also been on the mind of the Church since the beginning and there are a lot of different interpretations. In this series, we will spend each week tackling a specific topic in theology (Creation, End times, and Election) and the various interpretations through the history of the Church. The goal is not to convince or sway, but rather to introduce the broader Christian traditions and interpretations as well as identifying the important things that we can all agree on across the interpretations. This class is for anyone who wants to learn more about these topics and engage in a discussion about the importance of these theological concepts in our understanding of God and the world around us.
TEACHER BIO: Drew and his wife Paige have been attending LEFC since 2005 and 2015 respectively. Now, both members, you can see them serving in various ministries at the church. Having gone to Bible college and now in Seminary, Drew has a passion for theological education in the church so as to promote thoughtful and fruitful Christians.
the book of amos
TEACHER: Dave Cox
TIME: Second Service (10:50AM)
LOCATION: Room A3
DESCRIPTION: As a friend said to me, "Amos is about Social Justice!" Indeed it is, but Amos deals with so much more. He describes how God judges nations. He deals with God's attitude toward covenant breakers. He closes with his five visions, and his prophecy that God will restore David's fallen tent and the Gentiles who bear his Name. So, Jew or Gentile, this book is for you!
TEACHER BIO: Dave is an elder of LEFC and a truck driver (a year from retirement!). He and Chris are dedicated to teaching and mentoring the next generations. We love serving the Church! They are parents of two and grandparents of three. The "grands" live on the far side of the globe (their parents are Global Partners of LEFC). Interesting and creative communication strategies needed!
case studies in forgiveness
TEACHER: Brian Boycan
TIME: Second Service (10:50AM)
LOCATION: Room A4
DESCRIPTION: No one had more to say about forgiveness than Jesus. It is central to His teaching and to our redemption. On the other hand, unforgiveness has ruined individuals, families, friendships, and nations throughout history. Each week, we will examine a case study from Jesus and apply it to real-life. Why should I forgive? Who deserves to be forgiven? What about justice? Must I forget about how others have hurt me? Together, we will learn how to extend and receive radical forgiveness.
TEACHER BIO: Brian and his wife, Kathy, have lived in Manheim and worshipped at LEFC since 2018. He works for HOPE International.
session 2: august 3-24
global and local partners
TEACHER: Various Teachers
TIME: First Service (9AM)
LOCATION: Room A4
DESCRIPTION: A four-week series explaining LEFC’s impact for Christ in our local community and around the world. Hear from LEFCers who are serving Christ in very challenging and impactful ways in places like our public schools, our local community and Southeast Asia.
Week 1 (August 3): What Are Kids Religious Rights in Public School?
Join Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School, as she explains how children can confidently live their faith while in public school and respectfully share it with others. She will share the ways children can freely express their beliefs while in public schools, the misconceptions of separation of Church and State, and the three ways God can stay in public school.
Week 2 (August 10): Human Trafficking 101 and What North Star Initiative Does
Join Melinda Clark, CEO of North Star Initiative, as she explains human trafficking – what it is, where it is happening, who is being affected and how we can work together to traffic-proof our community. You will also learn about the work that North Star is doing to educate and train the community as well as advocate for and support survivors of trafficking. North Star operates two restoration homes – one in Lancaster County and another in Berks County for women who have been trafficked.
Week 3 (August 17): Ministry in Southeast Asia
Join Erik and Bethany, global partners of LEFC, as they share about their ministry in a significantly unreached country in Southeast Asia. Hear what God is doing through their ministry to shine the light of Christ in a country that has very limited access to the gospel and the truths of God’s Word.
Week 4 (August 25): Update from Our 2025 Southeast Asia Short-Term Mission Team
Join participants from our LEFC team of 26 individuals who served in July/August 2025 in Southeast Asia. This team consists of adults, teens and kids from LEFC who led a five-day Bible club for the children of global workers serving with Pioneers in Southeast Asia.
UNRAVELING AND REBUILDING
TEACHER: Nick Vargas
TIME: Second Service (10:50AM)
LOCATION: Room A3
DESCRIPTION: The reality of deconstruction is prevalent in our culture at the moment in the realm of Christianity. This seminar explores how to support teenagers and young adults who are questioning, deconstructing, or reevaluating their faith. Over the course of 4 weeks, we will discuss the emotional, spiritual, and developmental factors that influence this process, and how to respond with empathy rather than fear. The hope is that this class will provide some basic understanding for how deconstruction impacts the hearts of young people, and to provide helpful tools to assist our young people in rebuilding out of the rubble.
TEACHER BIO: Nick is the Pastor to Students at LEFC, and he has a passion for seeing students making faith their own, which often includes questions and reevaluating. Caleb is the Director of Students at LEFC, and he finds joy in seeing students take on their call to be faithful disciples of Jesus.
live with boldness
TEACHER: Gene Dugger
TIME: Second Service (10:50AM)
LOCATION: Room A4
DESCRIPTION: There are many references to Boldness in the Bible. But what does it mean when it calls us to be BOLD? During these four weeks we will dive into this question and look at Biblical examples of lives that were lived with boldness, as well as some from more recent history. We will take a look at the idea that a Christian with boldness is one who plainly speaks truth in love, from a heart which rests confidently in Christ.
TEACHER BIO: Gene is a native Tennessean who lived in Turkey while serving in the USAF and in Houston, TX, and Asheville, NC, for most of his adult life. For many years his focus has been on mentoring younger men with the goal of drawing them deeper into relationship with Jesus.