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.

 We believe Jesus Christ will come again to the Earth – personally, visibly, and bodily – to judge the living and the dead, and to fulfill history and the eternal plan of God.
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Milford, PA

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 WillisPastor 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.

Secretary Barbara Simmons “Prior to serving as Church Secretary, I was a nurse for twenty-two years in a geriatric setting which I loved for most of that time. I honestly have to say that I now am in the best job I ever had. I came to the Lord on May 24, 1981 and my life has been changed in so many ways. I am so grateful to our Lord for calling me to be His child and to be involved in this precious body of believers. I am so thankful to be able to serve here and help out wherever I can. It is a blessing to me when I am able to minister to needs that arise through our body, community care, all the different ministries, etc… I am here to serve. Please do not hesitate to call when a need, a question, a comment, a solution, etc., arises so that together with our Lord Jesus, we can work it out.”

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 Nancy Conklin Nancy is a native of Sussex County, N.J., Nancy has lived with her husband, Bob, in Greeley, Pa., for over 30 years. They have been active members at EPC since 2008, and Nancy has served as the Church’s Treasurer since 2018. She also serves on the Levite and Flea Market ministries. In the past, she has served as Deacon, Nominating Committee and on several other ministries. She is retired from full-time work but continues to work part-time as a bookkeeper.  

Elder Mike Dickerson – Mike is a retired banker having lived and worked in Northern, NJ and Pike County for more than 50 years. He has been an active member of your Church since the 1980’s. Working with the congregation, Pastor Ben, and his fellow Elders, Mike is pleased to see the vision for your Church become a reality in every way, everyday.

Elder Heidi FrazerHeidi has been a Christian all of her life. She emigrated from Germany in 1957, attending high school in Scranton. She me her husband, Neil, at a Presbyterian Youth Camp in her Junior year of high school. They’ve been married for 60 years. Neil was in the Navy, so they travelled all over and were involved in 13 different churches across the years. They always found a church with a choir. It’s the hand of God that they settled here at EPC, since we don’t have a choir!  

Elder Neil Frazer  – Neil is the son of a Presbyterian Minister and a Christian all his life. He served 22 years in the Navy as a Naval Electronics Officer, and then, after getting a BSEE degree and a minor in Nuclear Physics, served with Lockheed Martin as a Senior Engineer for 12 years. Neil and his wife, Heidi, have been active member of 12 Presbyterian Churches around the world. His hobbies include Model Railroading and Electronics.

Elder Chuck Moore  Chuck has been a Pike County resident since the early 1970’s and a member here at EPC Milford since the early 1980’s where he has served an Elder, Deacon, Youth Group Leader, and many other ministries. Chuck is retired and works part-time as sales manager and materials-estimator at Roe Brothers Lumber in Florida, NY. He is the father of two great sons Wilson and Ethan.  

Elder Carol Phillips  . Carol grew up in Milford, was baptized in this Church, and has many fond memories of church life. Carol and her husband, Bob, raised three children in Shohola. She works at a secretary/treasurer for Dingmans Bridge. She enjoys being with her children & grandchildren. She feels blessed to have been called to faith in Jesus, and serves Him with gratitude for all He has done.
Elder DeWitt Pyburn – DeWitt and his wife Nadia have been married for almost 25 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.  

Elder Barbara Simmons – Barbara has been a member of this church since 2011 and has been involved in many ministries: Greeters, Fellowship Hour, Family Events, God’s Gifts, Flea Market, and has been the Church secretary since 2015. She can often be seen with 4 of her 15 grandchildren close by – currently her mission field. Her love for her Savior and this body of believers is her motivation to serve anyway she can.  

Deacons: Michael DeVita, Janine Gulla, Barbara Lippincott, Tami Munze, Heather Ranne,  Theresa Rocco, and Jackie Viserta
 Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Milford, PA