Bread of Life Assembly of God: Church History
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory because of
Thy lovingkindeness, because if Thy truth."-- Psalm 115:1 (NASB)

In 1982, God placed in the hearts of Daniel and Lillien Ervin a vision to birth a church in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The Broomall area was the birthplace of the Bread of Life Christian Fellowship. After meeting in houses for a while the Broomall Community Center was procured for Sunday worship services. The first Sunday service was held May 30,1982. Highlights of the ensuing years included merging growth, recognition as an Assemblies of God home missions work, and the purchase of the sanctuary of the former Mantua Baptist Church in Upper Darby. The move from Broomall to Upper Darby was completed in 1985 with the first service of the Bread of Life Assembly of God in the "new church" on Mother's Day 1985.

When the Ervins left the church in 1987 the neophyte congregation with the help of the Southeast Section of the Assemblies of God voted in Joseph Maloney as pastor. Pastor Maloney's first official Sunday service was September 6, 1987. The Maloney's ministry centered on unifying and building up the body of Christ. Growth and progress in God has been evident in the years following. The Church has been completely renovated. Over 25 ministries have been formed from Sunday School to many evangelistic endeavors. The congregation had its most well populated service at 241 in attendance. On April 11, 1991, Bread of Life Assembly was granted General Council affiliated status and is now an Assemblies of God Sovereign Assembly. With many outreaches and the faithful witness of dedicated people the Upper Darby community has been impacted for Christ. The church went from supporting one missionary monthly to thirty-three missionaries. The church has become an international body of believers. Bread of Life Assembly of God now has over 66 countries of the world represented in the mix of its body. People from all over the world call Bread of Life their home church. The church's credo is, "to become a foreign missionary you need not to go across the seas, just across the street!"

In 1995, Bread of Life planted a daughter church in a Darby Middle School. The new Abundant Life Assembly of God was mothered and gave leadership many great lessons in Christ. As Abundant Life disbanded the learning experiences will be fodder to help the next church planting. The leadership of B*O*L has a plan to tithe of its people once the body gets to a certain number and to then plant churches all throughout the Delaware County area.

In 1999, the church purchased the adjoining lot, formerly the Bean's Funeral Home, and made three classroom spaces and a Royal Ranger work room downstairs. Upstairs was made into a beautiful three-bedroom parsonage apartment for staff. The church for the first time had its own parking lot. One day we hope in God to expand to the West and start a church for teens.

As the new millennium began, a ten-year dream of the church became a reality when Little Loaves Christian Child Care was started. The doors opened September 5, 2000 and now over 40 children call Little Loaves their school/church home. The church staff has grown from 1 to nearly 20 over the years. The church budget has tripled in recent years. Bread of Life continues to see the Faithfulness of God. Throughout the years Jesus has been the Bread of Life! Who can deny that, "thus far the Lord has helped us." All praise to Him who reigns supreme! Come and join the loaf that is the Bread of Life Assembly of God in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. A warm welcome awaits you!

Love and prayers,

Bread of Life Assembly of God