Senior Pastor Steve Tomlinson of Shelter Rock Church on Plandome Road announced a merger with the Syosset Bible Baptist Church on Cold Spring Road. "We have been growing at such a pace that having this beautiful facility and group of people join our congregation is an answer to prayer," Pastor Steve said. In separate votes by both independent congregations, members approved the merger overwhelmingly.

The Syosset church, like many congregations on the North Shore, had experienced a decline in members in recent years. When they learned about Shelter Rock Church (formerly known as Manhasset Baptist Church) having strong growth in attendance, ministries and programs, the leadership in Syosset asked to speak about joining the Manhasset congregation. The facilities in Syosset - consisting of four acres, three buildings, and beautifully wooded grounds, offer a great opportunity to meet the strategy of Shelter Rock Church in ministering to the people of Long Island. The land abuts a lovely public park and a baseball diamond. Many regular attendees at the Manhasset church live in Huntington, Glen Cove and Syosset, and will likely find this to be a convenient outlet for their Sunday worship as well as participation at the many weekday activities of the church.

Jack Crabtree, Long Island director of Youth-for-Christ and former interim preaching pastor of Shelter Rock Church, has been asked to also serve as teaching pastor at the new facility, while Pastor Dave Mendo coordinates the day-to-day operation of the new campus. Jerry O'Sullivan, pastor of student ministries at Shelter Rock Church, enthused about the possibilities said, "Their campus is gorgeous and spacious. There will now be so many more activities we can enjoy with the junior and senior highers." Syosset's youth director, Steve Coddington, will assist Jerry in multi-campus activities. Audrey Lauri, the Manhasset children's ministries director, is eager to establish strong programs for the new community. "The grounds and buildings in Syosset are beautifully situated for the kinds of things we do for kids. We hope to serve them immediately with our upcoming Vacation Bible School. This is truly a blessing," she said. The youth groups and children's ministries of Shelter Rock Church, Manhasset, have been a major reason the congregation has had such phenomenal growth in recent years, as not only area students began attending but also their curious parents.

Shelter Rock Church's worship director, Chris Coats, has already begun planning ways to wire and equip the new facility with equipment which supports the vibrant worship style that is Shelter Rock's signature. The praise team includes vocalists, guitars, drums, piano, and occasional string music and wind instruments. PowerPoint displays often illustrate the music's message and provide the words for all to participate in the singing. A full choir regularly appears at the worship services.

"This expansion of facilities is all about our church's mission of helping to bring more people into a deeply meaningful relationship with God," added Pastor Steve. "And this added opportunity for us certainly shows that 'With God, all things are possible.'" Plans call for the first newly-structured worship services and programs to begin in Syosset in September.

For information about the church, just call 627-2270, or go to the website www.ShelterRockChurch.com.