About EPC of Milford

    What We Believe

We believe the Bible – the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments – to be uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme and final authority on all matters about which it speaks.

We believe in one God Who has revealed Himself in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God Holy Spirit.

We believe God the Son became fully-human through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. True God became true man united in the Person of Christ Jesus of Nazareth forever. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. After three days, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended to Heaven, where He now prays for us.

We believe God the Holy Spirit glorifies Christ and applies Christ’s saving death to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to Jesus. Indwelling our hearts, He gives us new life, instructs and guides us into all truth, and empowers us with gifts for service.

We believe our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God welcomes us into intimate friendship with Himself and those who put their faith in Christ, declaring them righteous and innocent of sin, and making them children of God and heirs of eternal life.

History

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Milford began as a Sunday School and Bible study outreach to logging families in the newly-settled town of Milford, holding its first formal service of Worship several years later on September 25, 1825 as a congregation of the United Presbyterian Church of America (now the Evangelical Presbyterian Church). Almost two centuries later, the congregation continues to be at the heart of Christ’s ministry to Milford’s children, teens, and area families with a vital Sunday School, active Youth ministry, and a variety of opportunities for young adults, parents, and seniors all to become more like Christ, serve Christ, and even suffer for Christ’s sake (if need be) as we seek the Kingdom of Heaven together. Let this be our invitation to you to join us in living life to the full, as we follow Jesus proclaiming the Kingdom of God.  

Some of Our Leadership

Pastor Ben Willis – Pastor Ben was working in the new house construction business, doing old house renovation on the side, when the Lord called him to shepherd His people. He has led and served First Presbyterian Church – now Evangelical Presbyterian Church – since graduating from seminary in 1996. Pastor Ben and his wife, Amy, were married in 1990, and all three of their children – Noah, Eden, and Caleb – were born here in Milford. PB (as he’s sometimes called) enjoys superheroes, letter-boxing, and being a part of Jesus making people new.

Music Leader Celeste Kroptavich – “I always say to people that it was in God’s mercy that He gave me my late start in music and singing, and gave me the privilege to lead worship at EPC. There have been so many blessings in serving the Lord in this capacity, growth, and protection associated with my ministry. I started out as a vocalist in a Celtic and Bluegrass music duo and then joined the EPC Music Team in 2008, becoming Team leader in 2014.”

Elder Roger Casey – Roger graduated from St. Martin’s College of Art in London, and worked as a commercial artist before entering Theological Seminary with his wife, Carol. He has pastored churches on both sides of the Atlantic, and has spent considerable time doing missionary work in Southern India. Roger’s last pastorate in Manhattan was for 18 years. He retired from full time ministry in July, 2012. Roger serves as a guest preacher and teacher at Ocean Grove Camp Meeting in New Jersey, and also periodically ministers by invitation here at EPC. Roger is overseeing the Education & Training and the Worship & Prayer ministries here at EPC.

Elder Stacey Chelak – Stacey has lived in the Milford area since 1964. She and her husband, Greg, have been married since 1988 and have three adult sons. During her youth, Stacey attended Brownie meetings and even a half year of kindergarten here at the Presbyterian Church, but it was not until March, 2011 that the Lord led her to Worship here. Since then, Stacey has served as a Deacon, Greeter and Levite, and has served in the White Gifts, Grounds & Gardens, and Light in the Darkness ministries. Stacey has been a lawyer since 1989. She enjoys reading and studying the Bible, worshiping God, spending as much time as possible with her husband, sons and pets, Christian fellowship, and reading historical non-fiction, particularly early American history. Along with Heidi, Stacey oversees EPC’s Fellowship & Care ministries.

Elder Marilyn Neel – Marilyn is married to Deacon Mike Neel, and they have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. Both Marilyn and Mike were co-founders of Beacon of Hope Ministries and have done missionary work in Africa and up and down the east coast. Marilyn is the author of the book Glory to Glory and has lectured on the subjects from her book. Marilyn has served as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and Community Care Director here at EPC Milford As an Elder Marilyn oversees the Worship & Prayer ministries. 

Elder Heidi Frazer – Heidi has been a Christian all of her life.  She immigrated from Germany in 1957, attended high school in the United States.  She met her husband, Neil, at a Presbyterian Youth Camp in her Junior year of high school, often singing in the choir at Neil’s Father’s church.  They’ve been married 56 years.  Neil was in the Navy, so they traveled all over and were involved in 13 different churches over the years.  The first think they did when moving to each different place was find a church with a choir. Heidi oversees the Fellowship & Care Clusters ministries here at EPC.

Elder Chuck Moore –  Chuck been a Pike County resident since the early 1970’s & a member here at EPC since the early 1980’s where he’s served as an Elder, Deacon, Youth Group Leader, and in many other ministries. Chuck is a sales manager at Roe Brothers Lumber, working there for over 20 years. He has two great sons, Wilson & Ethan. And in his service as Elder, Chuck oversees Worship & Prayer Ministries.

Elder DeWitt Pyburn –  DeWitt and his wife Nadia have been married for 21 years and both work at Mt. Sinai Healthcare System in New York. Since 2006 they have split their time between the City and their home in Marcel Lake Estates. Their church home is here, and they have been members since 2009. They do not have any children of their own, but Nadia has several nieces and nephews scattered throughout the Bronx and Brooklyn that she considers her “children.” DeWitt oversees the Education & Training ministries here at EPC.