Pastor Kerry Bingaman

March 6, 2007
Dear River of Life family and friends,
Warmest greetings in the Lord!

In case you haven’t heard, the “mouth of the river” has a new voice.  My name is Rev. Kerry Bingaman, and as of March 4, 2007 I was elected, and have accepted the call to lead River of Life Assembly of God as the new Senior Pastor.
It excites me to communicate, that the river of God’s life is flowing with fresh springs, and the signs of an amazing undertaking by God are already being seen.
I am full of anticipation, as well as healthy trepidation, concerning what God is calling me to here at River of Life.  Having much anticipation for the kinds of things that only God can, and will do in our midst, I am at the same time, moving with careful steps, marked with humility and holy awe, that God would ask for my participation in such things.
My wife Lily, and I are grateful for the foundations laid, and diligent labors offered by Pastor Seidel and others who have served this Assembly with love before us.  It is only because of God’s work through such servants, that River of Life is now poised and ready for what comes next.
The leaders and I hope that each of you will feel compelled to be a part of the new and exciting things that God is doing here at “the River.”  Lily and I personally look forward to sharing the ride with you, and getting to know all of you along the way.

Blessings,
                                          Pastor Kerry Bingaman

The Bingamans at a Glance

Rev. Kerry Bingaman was born and raised outside Sunbury, PA and has called River
of Life NG his home church since he was in his early teens, when the work was still in
its first years under its founding Pastor, Rev. Benny Ortiz. At that time, it was called
First Assembly ofGod. It was during these fonnidable years that he was filled with the
Holy Spirit and sensed God's leading for ministry, which was over 22 years ago.
A 1990 graduate of Valley Forge Christian College, and an ordained minister with the
Assemblies of God, Kerry is married to his wife and ministry partner of over 17 years,
Ileana (Lily), whom he met while ministering in her home church in Hoboken, New
Jersey. Together they have shared the call ofGod upon their home and have
complimented each other on every level oflife and ministry. Kerry is a gifted
Preacher/Teacher who ministers with the passion of an Evangelist, the voice of a Prophet,
and the heart of a Pastor. Lily is a teacher through and through, and has carried a
ministry heart for the children, youth and women since the earliest days of her calling.
With her bachelor's degree from East Stroudsburg University, she has a dual certification
to teach in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is currently doing coursework for
her master's degree at Bloomsburg University.
The leading ofthe Lord has afforded Kerry and Lily a wide range of ministry
experience, a broad understanding ofthe church world and its needs. Together they have
ministered in every comer of the local church, from infants to elderly. Kerry has held
ministry positions as Youth and Children's Pastor, Senior Pastor, and Itinerant Evangelist
that have exposed he and Lily to a wide variety of cultural and demographic ministry
settings. From short tenn missions ministry in Guatemala, to inner city outreach in a
home missions church; and from an affluent small town church, to an older established
church in the suburbs; and then life on the Evangelistic road: - Ministry has given them a
larger glance at the church today than many ever get to see.
Though their drive for ministry has always been central, Kerry and Lily found time to
enjoy the blessings of raising three great sons, as well as take time for a few lesser joys
this temporal life offers. A preacher by calling, Kerry is a licensed carpenter by trade,
who also enjoys outdoor enjoyment that comes from hunting and fishing. He also has
some God-given artistic talents that have been a source ofrelaxation, and ministry
blessing at times. Lily is an avid reader, and insists on an occasional "Charlie Brown
day" On those days, she doesn't have to get out ofher PI's and gets to relax in her
bedroom all day with a good book or some old movies. Apart from Kerry and her boys,
Lily fmds great joy in securing new bruises and injuries while playing with her black
Labrador pup, Maggie. Over the years, she has dabbled a bit with crafts and scrap
booking, though spare time is often a rare commodity. Like most happily married
couples they cherish any opportunities for an evening out, apart from their teenagers.
Their oldest son, Jon (25) resides in Tampa, FL and is to be married in August 2007.
Kevin (16) is itching to start driving, and is the family's resident expert on all things
scientific. The youngest, Josiah (15) loves his hair, his musical passions, and a special
female interest in the Youth group.
In all, God has fashioned the Bingaman's into a family that has shared, with closeness,
the joys, challenges, and disappointments that come with God's calling. God has been
faithful to them through every one of them.