Ty Graham

NEW WATERFORD - Abundant Life Fellowship is an approved work site for the Columbiana County Department of Jobs and Family Services 2013 Summer Youth Employment Program.
As part of the state-funded program, the church has hired two part-time employees to work through the summer doing general maintenance.
The first to start is Ty Graham, who grew up at the church. A Crestview High School graduate, Ty, 18, is a student at Youngstown State University majoring in political science.
We'll announce the second hiree once he starts work.

Founding Pastor Don Stevenson, second from left, was welcomed back Sunday to Abundant Life Fellowship with Associate Pastor Ben Cope, left; Administrative and Worship Pastor Mark Plegge and Senior Pastor Jeff Schoch.

NEW WATERFORD - Founding pastors Don and Pauline Stevenson of Abundant Life Fellowship have returned from Florida for a few weeks and were back in services there Sunday. They will be here through the middle of June.
While here, they will get to hear their grandson, Josh Graham, youth director at the church, preach during the morning message May 26. That service begins at 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Pauline spoke Saturday night during a women's event titled From Dreams to Destiny.

Tim Hupp

NEW WATERFORD - Abundant Life Fellowship has hired Tim Hupp, a longtime church member and deacon, as its maintenance director.
The operator of his own carpet cleaning business, Tim was previously employed as transportation and safety director at Toys "R" Us. He and his wife, Sherry, are the parents of 11 children and grandparents of 6.
Tim is responsible for all aspects of maintenance of the Abundant Life complex and property.

Ben Cope

NEW WATERFORD - Abundant Life Fellowship has named Ben Cope, a longtime deacon at the church, as an associate pastor.
Ben, who is director of the recreation and fitness center at Kent State University in Kent, lives in Leetonia with his wife, Kelly, and three children. He and his wife met at the church and have been involved in many aspects of ministry for  many years.
Ben, who has been preaching for several years at the church, will continue to do so at least once a month for the morning worship service. He has taught classes, served as chairman of the deacon board, and been part of the worship team for many years.
He will continue to work his full-time job at KSU. He is the son of Tom and the late Judy Cope of Salem and graduated from Salem High School and Kent State University.

COLUMBIANA - The Upper Room Fellowship on Sponseller Road continues to host Our Valley Prayer, a weekly regional prayer gathering at 7 p.m. every Tuesday.