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Rev. Neff celebrates 30th anniversary with church
BY CYNTHIA COLEMAN • STAFF WRITER
 | | Pastor J. Frank Neff of Life Line Ministries shows off the large cake celebrating his thirtieth anniversary as pastor. (Photo submitted by Life Line Ministries) |
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MITCHELLTOWN - A special milestone in the life and ministry of Life Line Ministries Church took place Sunday, Sept. 23. During the morning worship service, the church celebrated Pastor Frank Neff's 30-year anniversary with the church.
The service began as usual, with praise and worship, but that day, the congregation sang songs from "Then," the old hymns of long ago. Associate pastor Lennie Stinnett presented church facts in the format of "Then and Now," after which, the congregation sang its usual contemporary. After the offering, the Hands Ministry choir signed to the song, "I Am Free."
Neff and the congregation were treated to a presentation of Neff's life and ministry, corresponding to the dates of the church's history. This was followed by a solo performed by Russ Woodzell of "Thank You," composed by Ray Bolts.
Life Line Ministries Church is an International Pentecostal Holiness Church, and the bishop of the Appalachian Conference, Ken Kingrea of Christiansburg, spoke next. After a solo by Rita Chestnut, guest speaker, the Rev. Richard Kingrea, gave the message.
 | | Posing for a memory-making moment (l-r) are the Rev. Richard Kingrea, guest speaker; Bishop Ken Kingrea, Appalachian Conference Bishop; the Rev. Frank Neff; Beth Neff, with of Pastor Neff; the Rev. Lennie Stinnett, Life Line Ministries' Associate Pastor. (Photo submitted by Life Line Ministries) |
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While the day was serious and purposeful, it was not without lighter moments. During the presentation, amusing photos of Neff, church staff and members popped up. After the message, a special visitor appeared: Mickey Mouse. Neff was given tickets for two for a Disney World trip.
Closing remarks were made by Stinnett, after which a reception was held in the fellowship hall.
Neff received his conference minister's license in 1976 and was elected pastor of the Mitchelltown church in September 1977; he was ordained in June 1978. A parsonage was built in 1981 and in the 1990s, a building program began.
Much happened to the church during the 1990s, both physically and literally. New classrooms and offices were built in 1990 and a new sanctuary and the fellowship hall in 1992. The next year, the church changed its name to Life Line Ministries. Other additions included the renovation of the old sanctuary into a children's center, a steeple, an addition to the sanctuary, and the Family Life Center.
The original church was built in 1930 on the present site from land donated by Oscar Shaffier. The church was organized and met in the old Mitchelltown school house with the Rev. J. B. Daugherty. Kingrea did a revival in January 1976, with a congregation of 47 members. The church began two Sunday morning services in October
1998 and by 2007, the membership had grown to 578. The average Sunday attendance 1977 was 71, which had grown to 234 by this year.
From the church's earliest days, the Neff family has been a part of its family. Neff's father, James Neff Sr., joined church in 1937, and his mother, Mary, in 1954. Neff himself joined in 1973.
Six years later, Neff informed Life Line's board he wanted to become a full-time pastor and leave his secular job at The Homestead. Neff was hired and agreed to accept a $1,000 a month salary.
Church member John Woodzell said, "I've known Frankie all his life, and he might have been the last person, as a youngster, one would have chosen to be such an outstanding pastor, eloquent speaker, and Godly leader. He was a pretty ornery kid at times, building a legacy for throwing rocks through the church windows, among other things. Much is known about his tremendous athletic abilities, and perhaps this would have evolved into much greater material gain than he has experienced as a small church pastor. However, in following God's calling to pastor, many lives, including mine, have been changed and enhanced all for the better, and I'm very glad he is obedient to that calling."
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