Pastor David Bixler had the opportunity to grow up in a Pastor's home and has been involved in ministry his entire life. He was saved at the age of nine but never really sold out to the Lord until marrying Debra Ulmer, to whom he’s been married since 1975.

Over a span of 16 years under the ministry of Pastor Everett Bixler, he carried out just about every task of the ministry, including janitor, Camp Director, Youth Director, Bus Director, School Teacher in the Christian School, Athletic Director and coach, song leader, and Assistant Pastor.

In February 1991, the Emmanuel Baptist Church asked David Bixler to become its Pastor. Since then the church has been blessed with many souls saved under the leadership of Pastor Bixler.

In 2007, Northeast Baptist College honored Pastor Bixler with a Doctorate Degree . Pastor Bixler’s focus in his ministry has been the Family. All 5 of Pastor’s children are serving full-time in the ministry.

Though the world seems to be a dark place, Pastor Bixler continues to lead the church to carry the light of the gospel to Lycoming County and to the uttermost parts of the world through his vision for missionary support.

James Bixler grew up on the property of Emmanuel Baptist Church as his father and grandfather were pastors throughout his whole life.

On December 4, 1988, Bro. James, as he is affectionately referred to, was born again. Through attending Williamsport Christian School his entire life and his involvement in the bus ministry at church and other related ministries, God worked in his heart and called Bro. James to preach in his senior year of high school. Studying youth ministries at Crown College in Knoxville, Tennessee, prepared Bro. James for his work with teens at Emmanuel Baptist Church. He graduated from college in 2004, where he received a Bachelor of Biblical Studies Degree.

After graduation from college, Bro. James has fulfilled many responsibilities over the years including maintenance work, athletic director basketball coach, as well as soccer coach. He has also taught in the Williamsport Christian School. Bro. James serves as the Assistant Pastor, which includes a large array of responsibilities including youth director, bus director, visitation director, preaching in nursing homes, and discipling some in prisons.

On September 18, 2009, Bro. James married Heidi Boyce. She likewise has been a great blessing as they have served together in music and with the teens, as well as supervising the nursery. The Bixlers have four precious daughters - Katelyn, Morgan, Reagyn, and Gracyn.