Who we are
H.C.F is a non-denominational and independent local church that was started in 1994 as an outreach of Mount Zion Ministries in nearby Utica. The congregation relocated to Canastota in 1999, where it has thrived.
Our preaching is Bible-based and practical for everyday life. Our praise and worship is lively, expressive, and contemporary. In addition, we strongly believe in the power of prayer!
Our founding pastors are Reverend Thomas and Rene Burgess, who were ordained in 1977 and affiliated with Minister Fellowship International. Married in 1974, they have two adult children who share in the church's ministry plus one grandchild with one on the way. Canastota is the hometown of Pastor Tom, who has long had a heart for this village.
The focus of our church is on building and strengthening genuine relationships within the local congregation and among the various churches that comprise the greater body of Christ in the area, and with others in the greater Lenox community-at-large.
Where we meet
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. Fellowship and Prayer for Adults and
Sunday School for Youth (grades K-6)
10:30 a.m. Praise and Worship with Preaching of the Word for All.
Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Adult Prayer and Bible Study
Other: "Chosen Generation" (a fellowship for young adults), a community youth group for teens, and separate men's and women's meetings are held once or twice per month , with additional activities as announced.
What we do
In addition to our regularly scheduled services, we participate in a number of other ministries throughout the year
H.C.F is an active member of the Canastota Area Association of Churches.
Some places you may see H.C.F. : The Fishing Derby in May, Boxing Hall of Fame Parade in June and the annual community-wide Vacation Bible School in August, CROP walk, Loaves and Fishes, and the Opportunity Shop.
Another ministry of H.C.F. is Hope Independent Study (H.I.S.) Institute, which provides assistance and support for homeschooling parents and their school-age children.
Pastor Tom also writes a weekly inspirational column for Eagle Newspapers and articles for the Good News Paper.
Meet our Missionaries
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Missionaries Joel and Yvonne Trimble
Joel and Yvonne Trimble are "Haiti for Christ Ministries," with television outreach both in French-speaking Hispaniola and to Haitian expatriates in the United States. You can learn more about their ministry at
http://www.haitiforchrist.net/
http://wordpress.com/tag/joel-trimble/
http://www.glahaiti.org/videos
Missionaries Larry and Jan Winnes
Larry and Jan Winnes are "Co-Laborers," based in Washington, DC and reach out largely to non-evangelized countries in Eurasia.
Missionary Kristina Friedrich
Visit Kristina at http://tinasenegal.blogspot.com to see what she is doing in Senegal.
Missionary Bethany Winnes
You can learn about Bethany's work in Germany at
http://bethanywinnes.blogspot.com
Bethany is a missionary teacher. More specifically, she is an Educational Therapist working with missionary kids who have perceptual learning deficits (visual and auditory) that make it hard for them to learn.
In her own words:
"I love what I do here at Black Forest Academy. During the day I teach. At night and some weekends I volunteer in a couple dorms. While at the dorms I bake and hang out with the kids. I have also co-lead a small group of sophomore girls that meets once a week."