Why "Keystone"

We believe that we have a mandate to draw from the heritage of our state and region to fulfill the great commission. We live in the Keystone State, in the centre region, and we own land in the very center of Centre County.

William Penn's Vision for the land of Pennsylvania ...

"There may be room there for such a Holy Experiment.?For the Nations want a precedent and my God will Make it the Seed of a Nation.?That an example may be set up to the Nations. That we may do the thing that is truly wise and just." – William Penn

And that Jesus said ...

Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Make-up & Focus

Made up of people of different color, language, and culture...all who have love for Jesus
With a focus to reach the Nations through Missions, relief work, and church planting

What would a local church look like which attempted to fulfill the mandate given by Jesus to reach all people, all nations? Do we have a model of this type of church in the Bible? Yes...

A Biblical model established in the Antioch Church found in the book of Acts.

10 Characteristics of this Antioch/New Testament type Church are:

#1. Birthed and shaped out of disaster, persecution, hardship & trouble. Acts 11:19-21, 15:1-6..-31

#2. A Prophetic Church in word and acts, hearing the Voice of the Lord and responding. Acts 13:1-2 ('Antioch' - 'speedy as a chariot')

#3. A pioneering/innovative church Acts 11:19-22, 26

#4. A gigantic, multi-ethnic, 'City Church' with regional impact and influence. ( grew to be in the thousands) Acts 11:20-21, 23 & 26

#5. A discipling, training, equipping center. Acts 11:25-26, 15:35

#6. A 'House of Prayer/Worship for the Nations..', Act.13:1-2

#7. A giving church- missions, humanitarian work, .. caring for the poor and hungry. Acts 11:27- 30

#8. An Apostolic Center, Strong gifts & leadership in residence. Acts 13:2, 15:30-35

#9. A 'Sending' church Acts 13:2-4

#10. Base for missions, church, planting, and Apostolic Teams. Acts 14:26-28, 15:35-36

It's all in the Name

What's in a name?

In the Bible names were considered very important and given with great care. A name was more than a label but was given to convey meaning, character and destiny. So, let's see what's in the name... Keystone Church and Ministries, Inc.

The keystone was an actual stone that held an archway together. The state of Pennsylvania was considered the keystone state of the original colonies. We are located in Central PA, in the center of Centre County, and our land is considered the most accessible property in the county from recent surveys. We are drawing on the heritage on which William Penn founded Pennsylvania.

There may be room there for such a
Holy Experiment.
For the nations want a precedent
And my God will
Make it the Seed of a Nation.
That an example may be set up to the Nations.
That we may do the thing
That is truly wise and just.
- William Penn

We believe that our location is key to serving our region, our state, and beyond. We see the archway as representing the church and marketplace into the world.

Church: What is a church? Is it a building? Is it an organization?

The Bible says, 'you also as living stones are being built together into a spiritual house' I.Peter 2:5

Who is the Church?

Biblical Definition: 'ekklesia'= 'The Called out ones’.

A Church is a group of people with a sense that.... God has called them together for a special purpose.

Keystone...a brief history

January 3, 1988, a group of a dozen adults, Penn State Students and children began to have Sunday morning worship in the home of Perry and Jacque Babb. This was the beginning of Keystone Church, initially known as 'Church of The Harvest' and for some time as Antioch International Church. The Babb had worked at PSU as Campus Ministers for 8 years. During those years, a plan formulated for an unconventional type of community church. This new church would be built without the limitations of tradition, preference or culture, but designed biblically and strategically for the hour, as God would lead. This plan developed into a model for other new churches and is characterized by supernatural experiences with God, 'signs and wonders', miracles, the Presence of God along with honest, genuine relationships between people with integrity, spontaneity, a covenant community and a sense that every individual has a profound destiny and can be used by God to bring His Kingdom in every area of life.

During the first 10 years, substantial ministry was developed outside the United States. The church had become 'international' in focus. A global consciousness developed into a global ministry effecting more than a dozen nations. These changes required a name change reflecting the broader vision. The new vision was contained in the name, Antioch International Church. It was the type of church, which was and still is based on 10 characteristics of the Antioch Church of the Bible. The international focus and make up of the church remains today.

'Church' meaning 'a group called together for a special purpose'. We believe that the church is more than a building and that we are called to serve in our homes, professions, and everywhere our feet tread. During the time as Antioch International Church, a number of churches and ministries developed. Some examples include SOZO Institute of the Arts, Joshua House (an 'at risk kids' youth center and community centre in Tyrone, Pa established by former Mayor/Pastor Jim and Jess Kilmartin) and more than a half dozen churches in Eastern Europe, orphanages in Belize and Rwanda, national youth conferences in Bosnia, English language instruction to poor children in Taiwan, leadership training in Asia, Guatemala, and Bulgaria, business seminars and medical clinics in Eastern Europe.

In November of 2002, 20 acres were purchased on College Ave. In State College, for the construction of Keystone Centre, a complex to minister to the Spirit, Soul and Body including a worship, training, and global ministry administration center as well as art, medical and professional centers. (For details, click 'Keystone Centre'.)

In May 2008, Antioch International Church changed its name to Keystone Church and Ministries, Inc. which we believe ties us into the heritage of our state and nation's call to the nations.