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George Reynolds is a role model to many people.
As the lead pastor of Linglestown Life Church’s main campus since 2006, he has been impacting the lives of the masses for over 16 years. A lot of people within his congregation have always looked up to him, and they appreciate the wonderful man and pastor that he is.
“He is extremely humble and would say that ‘the church’ is the congregation itself,” Ross Tucker said. “But since we moved here 10 years ago, he’s been the foundation of Linglestown Life and has made going to church a great experience for our family the entire time.”
Reynolds is one of those pastors who believes the church is not about the building. He believes it is what you do when you are not confined within those four walls that defines your belief in God.
Not only that, but Reynolds also has the belief that the church is truly about the people. And boy, is he right. Many people who have attended Linglestown Life throughout the years will tell you they do not go so much because of the location or the look of the building, but because of the people inside. They go because of Pastor George’s teachings, as well as the positive atmosphere the church has.
“When George began his appointment at Linglestown Life, he brought new energy to our congregation at a pivotal time of growth,” Sarah Axtman said. “Dreaming about the physical expansion of our properties and making it happen was a priority and an enormous undertaking that he was able to accomplish early in his tenure at Linglestown Life.”
When Reynolds began his time at Linglestown Life in the early 2000s, he hit the ground running. He did not come in and wait to build a legacy, but he came in and focused on making a difference in the church right off the bat. He helped them expand in many ways, including opening up a second location, and it did not take long for his presence to be felt.
And remember how Reynolds does not believe in remaining confined within those four walls? This has been evidenced wherever he has gone each and every day. He makes a true impact in and around the community, and he is always looking for ways to spread the love of Jesus Christ.
“Pastor George has always looked for ways to serve the community, whether it was by opening our doors for others to use our space or by getting our members to serve outside of our church walls,” Sandy Grant said. “He has led by example as well. Whether it was by ringing the Salvation Army bell or packing bags of food at Nutripacks, he was always right there in the middle of it.”
Reynolds has not been a pastor who just talks the talk. He walks the walk as well. He has guided his congregation in a direction he believes they are all called to go, and they have always appreciated that about him.
Reynolds has encouraged his people to be inspired and transformed by his messages, and he has taught them how to be true disciples of Jesus.
“I learned so much from Pastor George, it’s hard to describe it all, but what I can express easily is my sincere gratitude to him for teaching me how to connect my everyday life to my faith, to live ‘questionably’ so that others might notice and want to know the source of my joy, and to never forget that life is something to celebrate, whether you are in the valley or on the mountain top or on a journey somewhere in between,” Axtman said.
On top of it all, Reynolds has taught the congregants of Linglestown Life to live with hope and to always remain in faith.
He has been a pastor who people have looked at and said, “I want to go to church on Sunday to hear his message.” People do not just go through the motions when they attend Reynolds’ sermons week after week, as they genuinely wanted to be there and wanted to hear what he had to say.
“When we moved to Harrisburg, we looked at several different churches, including three that were much closer to our house,” Tucker said. “Once we attended Linglestown Life and saw what Pastor George had built there, it was very clear that would be our choice. It just felt right.”
“As an Army wife for five years and then moving three times after that, my husband and I have attended many churches during our 23 years of marriage,” Grant said. “When we first walked into Linglestown Life 10 years ago in 2013, Pastor George spoke to my heart like no other pastor has and he has been ever since. His messages have inspired me week after week to become a better disciple of Jesus.”
When you have a pastor who brings out the best in you and makes you truly drive to be the best you can be, you know you’ve got a good pastor.
That’s what a lot of people have had in Reynolds over the years, and despite him retiring from being a pastor, he will continue to be an inspiration to many.
People will also always reflect on the memories they have with Reynolds, as there have been many of those created over the years.
“My favorite memory is May 21st, 2005, when he presided over our wedding in my wife’s hometown,” Tucker said. “Little did I know then that someday he would become my favorite pastor I’ve ever had. And I’ve lived all over the place while I was playing football.”
If you can grasp the heart of a former professional football player, then you are doing something right.
That is exactly what Reynolds has done, and now he gets to celebrate his retirement with some well-deserved family time. And who knows, he might even compete in a few more half-marathons before it is all said and done!
“I know Pastor George is really looking forward to much-deserved rest and relaxation at their beautiful home near Lewistown, but also to have the freedom to spend more quality time with Rita, their children and spouses, and of course, their adorable grandkids,” Axtman said. “I’m guessing more trips to Disney will be planned (that’s one of their happy places), and even though he’ll be formally retired from the pulpit, surely George will continue to minister to his communities in meaningful and creative ways.”
Reynolds will always be hands-on in the church and the community, as that is what he feels he is called to do. He loves to do whatever it is God calls him to do on a daily basis, and many, many, many people are grateful to know they will still get to see him on a frequent basis.
“I just really want to thank Pastor George for inspiring me each week with his messages during the 10 years we have been coming to Linglestown Life and helping me to grow in my faith,” Grant said. “I thank him for doing the same for my husband and my children. I also want to thank him for hiring me and for being such a kind, supportive, and flexible boss.”
“I’m going to miss Pastor George,” Tess Tucker added in conclusion.
