Some background from Pastor Stephen Perillo, Gail Perillo and Norm Gavlick. Co-Founders of Making A Difference Ministries.
In 2009, our life took a different turn. Steve’s job came to an end due to the economy, and we prayerfully considered what we should do next. It has always been Steve’s passion to play the guitar and sing for the Lord. I expressed to Steve that I felt God was leading us to start a Ministry in which Steve could play for others and spread the good news of Christ Jesus.
I was working in a clerical position for a local law firm and knew that because we lived simply, the bills would be met. We would also be able to give to God in ways that we desired to.
Steve and I had worked for many years within various Church groups singing, playing, conducting Christmas and Easter events, retreats, Vacation Bible School and teaching Sunday School. We were involved in day trips with the youth from different denominations and were simply there to help in whatever way we could.
A Coffee House was held at a local bagel shop in 2010. The Coffee House at this location could not hold the amount of people that chose to come and be a part of what was happening. Steve booked various soloists and groups to sing and play at this Coffee House. The people that came simply wanted to share and have conversation about their lives and what Christ was doing. The evenings were wonderful and this was the true start to the Coffee House Ministry. Changes were about to happen.
After this experience, River of Life Church in Lehman opened their doors to the Ministry. Steve booked the bands and the Coffee House took off. This Church named their Coffee House, Ekklesia, and it is held every Friday evening. A light dinner menu is offered at a minimal cost. An open mic is also held after the Christian group has finished with their set. Curt Strunk is instrumental in this Coffee House. He has a contagious smile and is always there to give you a hug and a lift.
New Life Community Church, Mountain Top, also has a Coffee House in their Community Room. This is held on the second Friday of the month from April through October. Pastor Dave Elick is a loving and compassionate man who spreads the good new through his mannerisms and acceptance of all. Coffee and light refreshments are available.
For a short time, City Light Church in Wilkes-Barre held a Coffee House. It was something the Church tried, but felt their mission was in different areas. We were glad to have been there for the time we were.
The Messiah Church in Bear Creek also held a Coffee House every second Saturday of the month year round. Pastor Reginald H. Thomas was welcoming to those who came to this Coffee House, but this Church was unable to keep the Coffee House open due to other needs within the Church. Again, we are grateful for the time we spent at this Coffee House.
Two Marys Coffee House was hosted by The Salvation Army Church every third Saturday of the month in Wilkes-Barre. The Salvation Army Church was headed up by Sean Kanaskie. When The Salvation Army Church welcomed a new lieutenant, the Coffee House Ministry was closed as he felt it was not the direction they wanted to continue in. Sean, and all of those who helped at this Coffee House, did a tremendous job in their outward display of love to everyone. We miss this Coffee House very much!
The Voice of Hope Coffee House is located at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nanticoke. This Coffee House opened in March of 2012. This is broadcast live on WVHO 94.5 FM and is held the fourth Friday of each month. Without a doubt, this is one of the most welcoming communities that Making A Difference Ministries has been affiliated with. Coffee and tea are free to the public. Food items are available at a minimal cost. Families are encouraged to attend!
My Cup Runneth Over Coffee House located at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is held on the second Saturday of each month. This opened in April of 2013.
All are welcome!
Amazing Taste How Sweet The Grounds Coffee House is held at the First United Methodist Church and this takes place the third Saturday of each month. This also opened in April of 2013.
The Main Bean is a business located in Luzerne. They have allowed Making A Difference Ministries to host a Christian night the fourth Saturday of each month since
March of 2012. Stop on over and meet Jim and the staff!
Elm Park United Methodist Church located in Scranton has welcomed Making A Difference Ministries to host a Coffee House the first and third Thursdays of each month. We are looking forward to meeting local college students and all of those in the Scranton area. Please follow postings on Making A Difference Ministries website.
Steve maintains all of the bookings, changes, advertising and meeting with all prospective soloists and groups to make certain we all have the same focus on Christ
Jesus. It does not matter to the Ministry what particular Church you attend, or what religion you practice, as long as you believe in the risen Christ.
In the past, an open air all day concert was held in June, 2010 at Kirby Park. Volunteers were there to share their music, organize crafts for children and share time with each other in a family oriented atmosphere. We are very grateful to Youth For Christ for sponsoring this event. Wayne Morgan was instrumental in this endeavor.
After this occurred, other open air concerts were also held in whichMaking A Difference Ministries was the catalyst in providing Christian based music. The Ministry has proven itself over and over to be there to help others and share all we can with the people of God and those who wish to be a part of God. Some of the organizations that we work with are Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption,The Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Wilkes-Barre Racing, NEPA Cycle Racing, The Marine Corps, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Big Brothers Big Sisters Of The Bridge, Ruth’s Place, various soup kitchens and the RailRiders. We are there to help and reach out whenever we get a call.
God works in mysterious ways. In 2010 Steve and Gail wanted to “officially” create Making A Difference Ministries. Steve had heard about a local business woman who had been very generous with a number of non profit groups. He made an appointment to see her. While in her office discussing what he wanted to do Norm Gavlick heard a familiar voice. Steve and Norm worked together some 20 plus years earlier. Steve had no idea he was sitting in Angela Gavlick’s office, Norm’s wife. Norm had experience setting up non profit groups since he had previously done so for another group that he co-founded. So Steve and Gail Perillo and Norm and Angela Gavlick became the founding members of the “Official” 501c3 charitable organization, Making A Difference Ministries.
Around the same time Norm and his daughter began taking guitar lessons from Steve. Eventually Norm began playing with Steve, Dave Leity, and Rob Lott. They became The Followers Band playing for church services, fairs, Christmas concerts, and many other events. Always playing for no charge but accepting any donations to support the Making A Difference Ministries.
In 2010, Gail was diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed extensive surgery. Again, our life changed, but in a very different and difficult manner. Gail could no longer drive due to seizures, needed to leave her job as her cognitive abilities changed due to nerve and brain damage, our house went up for sale and life seemed very difficult. We also had a small savings which soon diminished to a zero balance. Gail had a determination for the Ministry to go on and urged Steve to continue. Gail is the behind-the-scenes prayer warrior as she is not often able to go to the Ministry events due to extreme exhaustion as a result of the physical changes. Gail is in total unity with Steve both in their personal lives and in the Ministry. All decisions are made together after spending time in prayer and discussion.
Since we came very close to being homeless ourselves, it was Gail’s fervent desire to start a project for the homeless. Carla and Mike Garrigan from New Life Community Church, along with Pastor Elick, have welcomed the project they chose to name, The Sleeping Bag Project, and host the assembly process at their Church. Steve and Gail have extensively advertised and collected materials needed for the project assembly. The Wyoming Valley Rescue Missionand the Scranton Rescue Mission were the recipients of the completed sleeping bags. Many have donated items to this cause..
Gail is also involved in collecting new socks for needy local children and new baby items for needy mothers-to-be in our local area. Gail continues to collect clothes for the needy, food for the shelters and craft supplies which she uses in Sunday School and Community based VBS projects. Any help in these areas would be greatly appreciated.
Making A Difference Ministries have also done extensive collecting for the local flood victims in the past. Clothing, bedding, toys and non-perishable food items were given out and are still being collected.
Gail does a shut in ministry for a Church. This is often the only outside communication many of these people receive on a regular basis. Gail sends a cheery and supportive note along with the Church bulletin about every 6-8 weeks.
Making A Difference Ministries has been funded primarily through personal donations of board members and the help of others. We are choosing daily to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. It is our choice to live simply so that we can continue to give.Our greatest desire is to grow in the Lord. Our life is not about ourselves. We have faced many challenges, and have dealt with others who do not understand us and why we choose to do what Christ has put on our hearts. As stated previously, it is not an easy choice we made starting the Ministry, but we can only reach others through the grace of a loving God.
We have also been extremely blessed by Jaclyn Pocceschi Mosley who had previously served as a Vice President and Webmaster and has attended numerous Ministry events to share with others what we are about. John Mosley is an honorable member who can often be seen filming events and helping in whatever way is needed from electronics to sound. Norm and Angela Gavlick, who believed in what we hoped the Ministry could be, serve as our supportive and outstanding Board of Directors.