Church History

The Church of the Open Door was founded in 1951 by a group of believers whose goal was to establish a church in our community with strong bibilical principles and teaching. This group personally sacrificed to see that the Lord Jesus Christ was proclaimed locally and throughout the world. Seven pastors have led this local congregation over the years and God has seen fit to bless their efforts with growth both numerically and spiritually. From our inception until today, COD has been centered on sound biblical teaching, local and world evangelization, and the enouragement of the entire family to serve Christ with all their hearts. COD functions with a Spirit powered, Elder led, and lay driven ministry where all major decisions must be approved by the membership of the church.

Several land acquisitions and building programs have brought our facilities to their present status.

We are thankful for our heritage and believe that the best days are yet to come for Church of the Open Door.

Mission & Vision Statement

1. Mission: Church of the Open Door exists to ignite a passion for knowing God in all people that through Christ, they may pursue Him with all their being.

2. Vision:

a. We will pursue a passion for God as individuals through:

1. The development of increasing intimacy in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, manifested in prayer; reading, studying, meditation and memorization of the Bible.

2. Personal living that reflects a continuous attitude of the worship of God and translates into more meaningful worship with the body of believers at COD.

b. We will nurture a passion for God in all believers by:

1. Biblical teaching that encourages us to grow in our knowledge of God, in our understanding of the magnificence of His character and His unparalleled works, in our recognition of His providence throughout human history, resulting in the deepening of our faith and the transformation of our lives

2. Celebrating the glory of God through worshipping together, in spirit and truth, culturally relevant and appropriate for our traditions, encouraging freedom and sincerity of expression, as well as active participation.

3. Encouraging every person to build intentional biblical relationships with other believers through which we care for one another’s spiritual, emotional and physical needs

4. Emphasizing our role as stewards of the time, talents, finances, and other resources God has given us to be used for the advancement of His Kingdom

5. Assisting all believers at COD to discover their spiritual gifts and use them for the edification of the body, and for the exaltation of God

6. Remembrance of the eternal life-giving effect of the grace of God through celebrations of Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper

7. Establishing biblical leadership to shepherd the community of COD effectively so that we fulfill our mission in increasing measure

8. Partnering with and encouraging believers, locally and globally, to increase their passion for God

c. We will ignite a passion for God in non-believers by:

1. Teaching and modeling a biblical understanding of our responsibility to non-believers in the proclamation of the gospel

2. Partnering with other churches and organizations to reach non-believers with the gospel of Christ

3. Seeking to establish intentional relationships with our neighbors, co-workers and friends

4. Helping to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of non-believers as a reflection of the love of God for them

5. Equipping and supporting those involved in cross-cultural ministries as they seek to communicate the gospel to non-believers throughout the world

Worship/Fellowship Hours

*See News & Events for details.

Sundays:

8:00 am - Worship (nursery provided, infant to age 2)
9:30 am - Worship (nursery provided, infant to age 2)
9:30 am - Sunday School (all ages)
11:00 am - Worship (nursery provided, infant to age 2)
11:00 am - "J" Church (for children aged 3 through 3rd grade)
11:00 am - WINGS class (for adults with developmental disabilities)
6:00 pm - Evening Bible Hour

Wednesdays:

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ALIVE!

5:15 pm - Dinner in FLC ($2 sug. donation)
6:30 pm - Olympian Clubs (Children aged 4 through 6th grade)
6:30 pm - Prayer Meeting / Ladies' Bible Study / Choir / Welcome Class / Nursery
6:30 pm - Middle & High School Youth Ministries (7th-12th grades)

Our Pastors

Bob Riedy, Senior Pastor

Pastor Bob and his wife, Karen, came to COD in August 2006. A graduate of Lancaster Bible College (B.S., 1981) and Moody Bible Institute (M.A.,1995), Bob has been involved in full-timevocational ministry since he graduated from LBC, and he served as a senior or teaching pastor at churches in Ohio and Massachusetts prior to arriving at COD. Bob and Karen have three children - Allie, Drew and Nate. Bob has a passion to preach God's word, cast vision and develop young leaders.

Donald L. Heindel Jr., Worship & Christian Ed.

Pastor Don, a native of York County, returned to York in 1999 when he and his wife, Donna, came to COD. Prior to that time, he served as a youth pastor for 6 years in the Washington, D.C. area, and for 4 years as Associate Pastor at Calvary Bible Church in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. Don received his B.A. from Washington Bible College in 1988, and his M.Div. from Capital Bible Seminary in 1991. Don and Donna have three boys, Graham, Kellan and Connor. Don loves to see people grow in their relationship with Christ and worship Him with all their heart.

Rev. Scott Shuffield, Congregational Life

Pastor Scott, a graduate of BIOLA University (B.S., 1986) came to COD in 2002 from the west coast, where he served as an elder and volunteer missions coordinator for Corona Evangelical Free Church in Corona, California. He also worked as a financial analyst in California with KB Home. Scott and his wife, Cindy, are native Californians, as are their four children, Derek, Kaley, Chad and Alyssa. Scott desires to see people grow in their walk with Christ and serve the local body in prayer and compassion.

Brett Ayers, Youth & Family Ministries

Pastor Brett and his wife, Jenny joined the COD staff in January of 2008. He is a graduate of Washington Bible College where he received B.A. degree in 1999. He also earned his M.A. from Capital Bible Seminary in 2002. Prior to COD he served as a youth pastor for 10 years in the Washington D.C. area. They have 3 boys, Matthew, Jadon and Zachary. Brett's passion is to help young people and their families live their lives for God.

Bill Galinato, Local & Global Outreach

Bill and his wife Ruth have been directly involved in local ministry at COD since 2001, and Bill has been part of the church staff since 2004. Their involvement with COD, however, goes much farther back. Ruth grew up at COD, and Bill and Ruth and their family served as missionaries in the Philippines for 13 years, supported throughout their time there by COD. Prior to going to the Philippines, Bill served as a youth pastor in churches in Virginia and South Carolina. Bill and Ruth have four children - a son, Josh, who is married and lives in York with his wife Liz; and three daughters, Charity, Laura and Katie. Bill holds a B.S. (1983) from Liberty University. Bill's passion is people both locally and world-wide and their need for a relationship with Jesus Christ.