Rev. Stephen Emick, pastor for spiritual formation and discipleship at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman St., recently celebrated 25 years of ordained ministry.

Now in his 26th year, Emick reflects on his career and the future of the church.

Originally from Scranton, Emick graduated from high school and thought he would pursue a career in music.

He attended Merrywood University in Scranton and fell into communication arts, receiving his Bachelor of Arts in communication arts/radio and television.

After working in radio, he went to work as an exploring executive for Boy Scouts of America in Scranton. Emick earned his Eagle award in 1978.

“I thought this was my career,” Emick said.

Active in his church, Hickory Street Presbyterian Church in Scranton, he worked part time in youth ministry. Six generations of Emick’s family attended the church and Emick also served as an elder.

“People for years told me I was going to go into ministry,” Emick said.

Shortly thereafter, Emick received his Master of Arts degree in Christian education and his Master of Divinity degree at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va.

Upon graduation, Emick served as associate pastor for Christian education at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Va.

Emick answered the call to join FPCA in 1995 to serve as a youth pastor.

“It was an easy decision because I would be closer to my family in Scranton,” Emick said.

“When I started at FPCA, it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with this congregation. I can see myself retiring here.”

Emick and his wife Barbara have two daughters, Allison and Emily. Allison is currently a junior at Ursinus College and Emily is a senior at Whitehall High School.

“This has been a wonderful congregation to raise our kids,” Emick said. “It’s a great congregation.”

However, Emick said this is not the church it was 15 years ago.

“The world has changed,” Emick said. The question many church officials across the country ask is, “How does a church need to change with it?”

Knowing gospel is still at the core, Emick said the process is “how we have to adapt.”

Emick said research shows in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, churches were packed.

“Today, if we were connecting with people, the pews wouldn’t be empty.”

Emick said, “I can’t do what I was doing 10 years ago. Now, it’s a new challenge.”

The church, which sits on 10 acres, has 1,900 members and an additional 300 children who attend through ninth grade.

About five years ago, FPCA added a contemporary service which has become very popular.

As a youth pastor for many years, Emick has been a mentor to the youth and continues to support them in their many activities outside of the church.

FPCA youth attend 20 school districts and live throughout the Lehigh Valley. You will often see Emick attending school plays and high school graduations.

Emick continues to work on encouraging the youth to “strengthen their relationship with God so it becomes a life-long relationship.”

Several of the youth have married and returned to the church to raise their families with the same enthusiasm they enjoyed in their younger years.

Emick and the team at FPCA said they are committed to continuing to adapt to the changing needs of the folks who attend the church and provide a home for those looking for a church family.