Interview with Mike Hammer

Pastor of Celebration Community Church, Dillsburg, PA

Mike Hammer, raised catholic, turned AG when he was 8. Most of his ministry has been traveling with 4 other families as traveling ministers to families.

"Alot of [church] staff persons have the most issues within their families." "The staff people took a vacation when the family ministry came in." I have heard things to this effect alot. I could imagine that those most involved would somewhat be forced to neglect their families at least to some degree.

He saw that there was a need for something for the highschool age kids to do. He found and rented a building that he made into a student center. It's just a safe place for teenagers to hang out. Through this, he was able to meet the mayor, speak in front of the school board. It is a seperate non-profit entity so that other area churches can use it and be involved. I think that's awesome. So many churchs plant youth centers that are focussed toward the youth of their church, but this one has open arms to the youth who don't want to be home and also all of the youth of all the churches in the area.

"people hide behind God and never deal with real life issues" "It's not about lecture, notes and information, it is experiencial weekend. These are his comments concerning "Bridges." It is an intense weekend of inward focus. It is a "non-religious" weekend of dealing with Real problem in people's lives. There is no "God-talk" allowed. I love it. Christians ask for God to take away their problems, but they are never willing to deal with them even in "secular" ways.