Neil Partington is a young man with a mission and that mission is to follow in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ, as an ordained minister. Although Neil is only 22, he has been on his path to the ministry for several years.

"I decided awhile ago that the Lord was leading me," says Neil. "I had been a youth director in Dallas at the Trinity Presbyterian Church and was a camp counselor at Camp Lackawanna for four years. I was very involved in my home church, the Presbyterian Church of Mountaintop, and then I began to preach at the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Dorrance."

But Neil actually made his decision to serve the Lord while on a backpacking trip. He explains, "I was going to hike the Appalachain Trail. I went to Maine and started to think about what I would do when I got back. I decided I would enter the seminary in the fall of 2000."

Before that time could come, Neil was asked to begin Divinity School by the ministry of Emmanuel church. Emmanuel has been in need of a more permanent pastor and Neil's preaching was well received by its members. His journey to service became clearer with their encouragement and he entered the Lancaster Theological Seminary this fall instead. Neil presently attends classes at the Seminary from Tuesday through Thursday afternoon when he returns to the Emmanuel UCC congregation where he preaches on Sundays, visits shut-ins and attends to whatever pastoral duties are necessary.

Neil explains Emmanuel is a diverse congregation of about 250 members. The church is very active but always looking to bring in new members and get old members actively involved. Neil explains the church recently held a "Bring A Friend to Church" day as a means of making new acquaintances, offered a free concert and will begin a second service at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening for those who work during the day and are unable to attend in the morning. Being a young man, Neil has a special interest in getting young people involved.

A Mountaintop native, Neil is a graduate of Crestwood High School. He is the son of Kurt and Shirnel Partington. He has a brother, Shawn, and a sister, Kara. He plans to get married next year to Annie Wolf, also a Mountaintop area resident.

For the time being, Neil is studying hard and working hard to follow his journey in Christ. His decision has received enormous support from both those at Emmanuel and his home church, the Presbyterian Church. "I am especially thankful for all the support and prayers I have received from Rev. Jim Shanley and the members of my home church in my decision to become a minister," comments Neil.

And after Neil becomes a minister? "I will be here at Emmanuel after I graduate," says Neil. "I will be here until the Lord calls me.".