Mapleton News by Jennifer Buzza
Earlier this spring, the State Road Advent Christian Church said farewell to Youth Pastor Nate Hasty and family. Hasty had been the youth pastor at the church for six years, and in May moved to Pennsylvania.
Good friend Andrew Blackstone knew the Hastys would be leaving the area and that there “would be a big hole at State Road”
“I didn’t originally plan on applying for the position, thinking it would be good for someone from outside to move in, but it seemed like I couldn’t get out of its way through encouragement of others and other ‘road signs’ that seemed to point me to apply,” Blackstone said. After completing the application process, he was offered the job and started the position July 15.
ANDREW BLACKSTONE, of Washburn, has been named the new youth pastor at the State Road Advent Christian Church in Mapleton. Blackstone spent several years of his youth with Pastor Greg Moody as a camper and counselor at Camp NOMACCA and as a member of the Northern Lights Youth Choir. Now, as an adult, he will be working side-by-side with head Pastor Moody, as he leads the youth of the church. Pictured with Blackstone are, from left: daughter, Elysia; wife, Jessica; and son, Grayson.
Blackstone grew up on a farm in Perham and graduated from Washburn District High School in 2000. He graduated in 2004 with a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maine at Orono, then completed one year at the Berkshire Institute for Christian Studies (BICS) in Lenox, Mass. with a biblical certificate. From 2004-2009, he worked professionally in the IT sector while volunteering with the local youth programs in Lenox. During that time he also worked as a residence director at BICS, where he lived on campus in lieu of a salary. In 2005, he married his wife, Jessica and had their first child, Elysia, in 2009. It was at that point that he and his wife decided to move “home to The County.”
Upon their return, Blackstone took a job in the energy sector at Algonquin Energy Services, Inc. in Caribou. He worked there full-time until earlier this summer while volunteering as youth pastor at the Dunntown Advent Christian Church alongside of Pastor George McLaughlin.
Sharing his time and talents with others, Blackstone has also served on Cornerstone Christian Academy’s board of directors for two years, along with volunteering his time to assist with technical and fund-raising needs. He has also volunteered with the Northern Lights Youth Choir for the past four years and will continue to this year.
“I felt the call to vocational ministry in late 2010 desiring to apply my background in youth work, as well as a desire for benevolence ministries some how. I am excited to see how God can use me to encourage and guide the youth of ‘The County’ and our communities,” Blackstone said.
When asked about his goals and future plans, he says, “I am taking it one day at a time. I am excited to be available and reachable by our youth. I want to be involved in the schools and communities wherever possible.”
In 2011, the couple welcomed their second child, Grayson.
Growing up, Blackstone knew Pastor Greg Moody in a different capacity from Moody’s days at Camp NOMACCA and as a chaperone for the Northern Lights Youth Choir spring tours.
“It seems I’ve known Andrew most of his life. His family and his Dunntown Church family have been valued friends for many years. These friendships have provided many significant memories that God has used to shape me,” said Moody. “I’ve had the privilege of spending time with Andrew when I was more involved at Camp NOMACCA and through our time together in the Northern Lights Youth Choir. Back then, I was the youth leader and Andrew the student. In recent years, Andrew and I have shared choir leadership responsibilities and these experiences continue to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me personally.
“It seems God has more shared ministry ahead for Andrew and me. I can’t wait to see how God will continue to shape me as Andrew and I help lead the State Road Church together. I am convinced that Andrew will bring a heart and giftedness that we will need to navigate the future as a faith community,” he said. “I’m reminded of Psalm 100:5: “For the Lord is good and His love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.”
This past Saturday, Blackstone, along with a team of nine other local men, made the trip to Bogota, Columbia with Neighbors First.
“They were looking for a 10th man to round out the team and I was excited to join them for this ministry opportunity,” he said.
The project is described as follows on the Neighbors First website: “In the sprawling, 8 million person capital of Bogota, Columbia, there is a small, poor neighborhood called ‘Bosa’ where an energetic young pastor and his family live. They, along with other caring helpers, have started a feeding program and soccer club for the neighborhood children to combat poverty and the hopelessness that so often pulls them towards drugs, alcohol and/or prostitution. Neighbors First, Inc. is partnering with the CCCG church in Guatemala and the fledgling church in Bosa to construct a building that will house the children’s feeding program, a vocational training center for women, and the church worship.”
Eight of the men joining Blackstone on the trip to Columbia are local and are from the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church, as well as the State Road Advent Christian Church. The ninth man is from Biddeford. Blackstone describes the men as “professional,” some with architectural background, some are contractors or sub-contractors.
“Some are not professional builders, but useful just the same, like me,” he said. The group will return to Maine Sept. 28.
Andrew is the son of Gary and Laurie Blackstone. His older brother, Josh, is the senior pastor at Beals Advent Christian Church. His younger sister, Lindsey, is studying graphic arts at Shorter College in Rome, Ga.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Jill Brown, Cole Putnam, Mackenzie Vigue, Devyn Grendell, Jonathan Dougherty, Andrea Ritchie, Scott Galipeau, Nancy Winslow, Lance Johnson, Joyce St. Peter, Dennis Gilson, Grace Braley, Nola Farley, Hannah Stoutamyer, Mary Hamilton and London Putnam.
Anniversaries
Anniversary wishes this week go out to Debbie and Scott Estey on the 25th, and Nancy and Willie Winslow on the 29th.
Scottish Caleigh
There will be a Scottish Caleigh, also spelled Ceilidh and pronounced “kay-lay,” held at the Haystack Historical Society Museum Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1-4 p.m. This is a program that includes Scottish, Gaelic and other music performed by area musicians. Tea and Scottish cakes will be served by museum members. This is a free event and promises to be entertaining. The public is invited to attend and participate. Bring your instrument and join in the fun!
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
