[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 148 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE CAREER OF PASTOR DAVID STANDFEST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 15, 2010

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and career of 
Pastor David Standfest of Williamsburg, Michigan. Pastor Standfest is 
the founder of the New Hope Community Church in Williamsburg and is 
retiring after 30 years of tireless service to his church and his local 
community.
  David Standfest was born in Owosso, Michigan on May 14th, 1947. Early 
on, David knew that he wanted to have an impact in his local community 
and understood one of the best ways to affect positive change was 
through the church. David enrolled at Owosso Bible College following 
high school, where he studied to become a pastor and played basketball. 
After graduation in 1970, David served as a pastor in the Owosso area 
until moving to Traverse City in 1980, where he became the pastor at 
Bayview Wesleyan Church.
  In 1990, Pastor Standfest founded the New Hope Community Church in 
Williamsburg. The church started humbly in an area home with only a 
congregation of eight people. But Pastor Standfest would not be 
deterred in his commitment to serving the people of northern Michigan. 
With hard work, the New Hope Community Church grew to a congregation of 
over 1,400 devoted worshipers. Aside from the home campus in 
Williamsburg, the New Hope Community Church expanded to three locations 
across northern Michigan (Traverse City, Bellaire and Petoskey) in 
order to expand its services to families in the area.
  In Williamsburg, the New Hope Community Church boasts a full size gym 
for active children and youth programs, and a 1,450 seat auditorium for 
local school and community college events such as graduations, banquets 
and other ceremonies. The administration building holds 13 offices and 
family counseling rooms and a community center that accommodates 250 
people for various area events.
  While this economic crisis continues to weigh down families in 
northern Michigan, Pastor Standfest has been there to help those who 
are struggling in every way possible. The first 5 percent of all 
offerings that New Hope Community Church receives go to help area 
families with housing issues and other financial difficulties. Pastor 
Standfest started a food pantry that is open seven days a week and has 
helped thousands of families put food on the table. The church also 
offers ``Care'' ministries that provide attentive counselors to help 
local residents through this tough period.
  Madam Speaker, Pastor David Standfest has devoted his life to helping 
the people of northern Michigan in any way he can. His untiring 
dedication to his community, especially during this recession, is a 
true inspiration and should be commended. I ask my colleagues in the 
U.S. House of Representatives to join me in recognizing and honoring 
Pastor Standfest's lifetime of commitment and hard work.

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