Every September, Riverbend takes a Hebrews 11-type pause to look back and then reset for the Kingdom work ahead. Each of us individually, and the Riverbend Church family, collectively, is part of something bigger. As part of our look back this Fall, we want to share a bit of Jason McDaniel’s story.
Jason McDaniel, his wife, Robin, and their three children now live in New Tripoli, but they haven’t always been Lehigh Valley residents. Jason came here in 2008 as part of an internship with Air Products before returning officially “full time” in 2009. He grew up in upstate New York and met Robin at Cedarville University in Ohio. Jason holds several business degrees from Cedarville and an MBA from Cornell University. Before his time at Air Products and Cornell, Jason worked for three years at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
He and Robin arrived in the Lehigh Valley and were invited to Riverbend just as weekly worship services at the Sheraton Jetport on Airport Road began. They knew they wanted to find a smaller church where they could connect and contribute.
Jason shares, “I am a firm believer in the idea that we should approach church with the attitude of ‘How can I be a part of what God is doing?’ rather than ‘What can this church offer us?’” And he has been a part of a lot, faithfully serving over their years of involvement here at Riverbend on the leadership team, as an elder, as financial advisor and budget support, and participant and leader of various community groups.
Although Jason recently stepped down from his role as Elder, he is not stepping back from contributing. He, Robin, and Joe and Amy Velarde are leading a multi-generational community group looking at the foundational beliefs of Christianity through the New City Catechism, a resource aimed at helping children and adults learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith through 52 questions and answers. Youth 7-12 years old will be learning with Jason, while the adults will be learning with Pastor Joe.
“I think a lot about how I can ensure that my kids (and others their age) have the opportunities that I did to build a strong Biblical foundation that will stand up to the challenges they will experience today. I don’t fully know what our next step will bring but seek to commit this next season to the Lord and pray that He will continue to guide our paths.”
This stance is a living expression of one of Jason’s guiding scriptures, Proverbs 3:5-6,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”
Jason explains, “In my experience, there is seldom an audible voice or ‘feeling’ that guides me to the next step, but I believe if we are faithful with what we have been entrusted with, we can look back and see His hand ‘straightening’ our paths.”
Those guiding paths started in his parents’ home and in a 5-day club where he made his profession of faith in Jesus as a 5-year-old. Eventually the faith that was first nurtured by his parents and his local community church became his own. Studying the Bible was a key way that Jason strengthened and personalized his faith.
A pleasant turn of events for the McDaniels this past year was Jason’s parents’ move to the Lehigh Valley. You may have met or served with them at a worship service this past year. Like Jason and Robin 13 years ago, Gretchen and Richard are looking for a new church home, and it just might be Riverbend.
Jason characterizes Riverbend as a church that empowers people to realize what God has called them to. “We aren’t perfect and don’t pretend to be, but I am excited about what God is doing in our church to impact the Valley and the World for Himself.”
“My hope is that our community will continue to be a place where we empower people to take their next step for the gospel. I desire to see discipleship and a deepening of our understanding of what and who we believe as we stand with Grace for Truth in a world where the two feel incompatible. I desire to see that grounding in Grace and Truth in our next generation.”
May it be so!