A Brief History
Peapack Reformed Church is a part of the Reformed Church in America, a denomination that is solidly in the mainstream of American Protestantism. In fact, we are the oldest active denomination in the United States. The word “Reformed” comes from Europe in the sixteenth century when reformers insisted on changes in the Roman Catholic Church. Under the leadership of such men as John Calvin, these protesters or “Protestants” organized into the various denominations that today constitute mainline Protestantism.

Our denominational roots are in Holland, but in practice we closely resemble the Presbyterian Church which began in Scotland.

Peapack Reformed Church began its ministry in our community in 1848. The present sanctuary dates back to 1874, replacing the original sanctuary that was destroyed by fire. A major restoration was completed in 1998 as part of the church’s 150^th anniversary celebration.

The administration of the church is presbyterian in structure, that is, the governing body (called the Consistory) is made up of the minister, elders and deacons who share authority equally. Annual congregational meetings are held to elect the Consistory. The church’s minister and Consistory are responsible to a “Classis,” which is a regional body made up of representatives of Reformed churches in the region.

Christian Education for All Ages
Children get very special attention at Peapack Reformed Church. They are an important part of the Sunday worship service, but it is when they go off to Sunday School that they enjoy what we believe is the best children’s program available today. Called “Children and Worship,” it is a special worship program for young children (from age 3) that provides an exciting way to experience God, learning to grow in love for God and for each other.

“Children and Worship” recreates the worship experience in an intimate, child-friendly atmosphere. The program has been hailed as the most original, most child sensitive curriculum available today. Its pure honesty in rendering the essence of the Bible stories in the language of children makes it unparalleled in the field of Christian education.

Nursery children have a play area just for them, and child care is available each Sunday during the worship service. The rooms are well maintained, safe, and secure.

Youth Fellowship for ages 11 to 14 meet at 4 p.m. Sunday afternoons. The group meets monthly for an afternoon of food, fellowship, and faith exploration. The program includes service opportunities, “go-see” visits, and special presentations, and culminates in “Nightwatch” at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Adult education is a vital part of ministry at Peapack Reformed. The Bible Study group focuses on a certain aspect or topic at any given time.  And our Book Study Discussions meet periodically to explore readings pertinent to our journey toward spiritual growth.

Reformed Church Beliefs
Peapack Reformed is a community church that draws its strength from the unity within our diversity as each member and friend draws his or her strength from God. Similar in structure and style to the Presbyterian tradition, the religious beliefs of the Reformed Church in America are biblical and consistent with the historic traditions of Christian faith.

We believe in one God, whose son is Jesus Christ. We believe that Christ was born, lived, and died to show us the way to God. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity, who dwells in our hearts, working in us the faith that brings us closer to God. We believe that it is not through our own merit, or by our good works, that Christ reconcils us to God, but through faith in Him.  We believe that the Church is the fellowship of Christ’s followers who, having been taught by Holy Scripture, are dedicated to serving God through worship, prayer, and by doing acts of mercy consistent with Christ’s life and teaching.

Our Mission Statement
Peapack Reformed Church is a congregation called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be the very presence of Jesus Christ in the world. Our mission is to share the Gospel through worship, service to the community, education, outreach, and fellowship.

Ministries of the Church
Peapack Reformed Church believes in “mission” as the faithful response to Christ’s command to “love your neighbor.” Our mission focus is a balance between participating in “hands on” programs close to home and providing financial support to programs further away.

Each month, church members prepare food for the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program (SHIP) in Somerville. Several times during the year teams of volunteers assist at the Bound Brook Reformed Church Soup Kitchen. And twice a year, once in mid-summer and again in November, the church organizes a community food drive that delivers thousands of meals to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County in Bound Brook.

In addition, the men of the church have a tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast that benefits a local organization.  Volunteers from the church have also actively worked with others to build homes for Habitat for Humanity. A December highlight for many years has been the Women’s Christmas Service.

Among the organizations regularly receiving our support are the following:
                Good News Home for Women
                Somerset Chaplaincy for the Elderly
                Words of Hope
                New Brunswick Theological Seminary
                Warwick Scholarship Fund
                Reformed Church Home
                Market Street Mission
                Hunterdon Developmental Center
                Rutgers Protestant Campus Ministry

In addition, we are currently directly supporting the work of Lance and Elizabeth Edwards as they work through the Partners in Mission program of the Reformed Church in America to provide agricultural leadership and AIDs relief in Mozambique.