Four Generations Strengthen Faith and Make Memories at HCBC
Ellen Howard: “HCBC has had a big impact on me and my family. My mom and dad, Mel and Evelyn Kochenberger, took us to HCBC for vacation. My husband Paul’s family also went to HCBC, and his brother, Mark Howard, served on staff. As time went on, my two nieces, Christina and Jennifer, my daughter Betsy, my nephew Pete Rohrer, and his wife, Daria, were also on staff.
Betsy and her husband, Darren Brandt, work as volunteers some weekends at HCBC. Paul and Darren help with Homeschool Week woodworking classes. I helped board member Jan Bushey with HSW kids’ ministry for a few years and have started to teach a craft class during that week. Paul and I, along with my sister, Sue, and her husband Mel have served for many years on the decorating committee for Couples Weekend in November. We are looking forward to being at HCBC again this November.
My grandsons (Betsy’s boys), Matthew and Patrick, have been on Summer Staff the last few years, and now Matt has joined the full-time staff! HCBC is truly a place that feels like home. Lots of memories and lots more memories in the making. We love HCBC! Thank you, Jon and staff, for making HCBC a sweet place for families to gather to worship their Lord and build closer family ties.”
Betsy Brandt, daughter of Paul and Ellen Howard: “I went to Harvey Cedars as a child. I have the privilege to join the Summer Staff in the summers of 1998-1999, like my uncle and cousins before me. After marrying Darren, our family, the Brandts, began going to HCBC as guests of my parents. Now our children have carried on the tradition of serving on Summer Staff.
Our oldest son, Matthew, was so excited to volunteer at HCBC when he was 14! He has served since then. His time invested in the Waypoint gap year program had a great influence on growing his faith into his own. Matthew is now on full-time staff in the kitchen. Patrick has also served on Summer Staff from 2018-2022. Our three daughters, Katherine, Hanna, and Sarah are counting the years until they can serve on staff!
Harvey Cedars is a place we love to enjoy with family and friends at Homeschool Week and Couples Weekend. HCBC has been a beloved respite from the pace of everyday life. It is a place to draw closer to God, to reevaluate how you are doing life, relationships, and family, and to make changes for the better. Recently we have enjoyed bringing friends along for Couples Weekend to share in the life-changing refreshment that the ‘Bible Conference by the sea’ offers.”
Sue and Mel Rohrer: “45 years ago, while listening to Lancaster, PA, radio station WDAC, we heard Al Oldham’s welcoming voice beckon us to go to HCBC for a family vacation. We went with our three young children, ages 2, 3, and 5. Over the following years, we took our parents, other family members, and even the international students we hosted! One summer we decided not to vacation at HCBC, but our children and grandchildren begged us to go and we did.”
Christina Rohrer Bonner, daughter of Sue and Mel and 1989-1993 Summer Staff: “HCBC is a wonderful place! My family started going on vacation there when I was 5 years old and now I am 50. Now my husband, John, and our children are part of the family vacations and the Staff Alumni Weekends.”
Sue Rohrer continues: “Our son, Peter, and his wife Daria, spent the whole summer on staff about 14 years ago. Daria managed the children’s program and Peter worked at the waterfront. I helped take care of our three-year-old grandson, Cyprus (who was on Summer Staff in 2022!) as Daria was expecting another child, Asher. I was also involved with children’s ministry that summer.
HCBC has been a safe and spiritually nurturing haven for our family and a second home. We have made lifelong friends and arriving on campus feels like a family reunion whether during a family week or Couples Weekend. We say thank you to all who have made this place special and welcoming in Christ’s name.”
The Rohrer’s daughter, Jennifer, served at HCBC one summer and she and her husband, Stephen Gallinaugh, continue to visit for vacations.
We are grateful for this family sharing how so many generations have been impacted by and share in HCBC’s ministry. We know many other families, whether through multiple generations or being newer to HCBC, could share similar stories. The board and staff continue to look for ways to better enable families, teens, and our youth staff to be impacted by our mission to provide quality programs and facilities through which they learn about Jesus Christ and become more like him, being trained for leadership in the home, church, and community.