Someone said, “Timing is everything”. On August 2nd, 1990, the same day the Gulf War broke out, John and Carol Butler moved to Williamsport to plant a new church.

Originally from South Williamsport, both John and Carol had spent the past decade in Belleville, Illinois. John traveled to Belleville in 1980 to visit his brother, got saved and started Belleville Christian College (BCC). Carol visited a year later and was also born again. One year later they were married and finished BCC together.

In 1985, after finishing BCC and Southern Illinois University, John received a call from the Lord to “go back east in five years”.
From 1985 to 1990, John taught at a local high school and prepared for the church planting operation.

John and Carol moved to Williamsport in August of 1990 after more confirmations from the Lord. It wasn’t until late October that the Butler’s received permission from denominational overseers to begin services. On November 1, 1991, Wings of Love Community Church held its first service in the Butler’s home.

After four months, Wings of Love moved into Central Baptist Church to share their building. The gracious believers at Central Baptist Church helped us in many ways for 14 months until we moved into our present facility in South Williamsport.

John worked as a full-time school teacher until 1997 when the Lord led him to retire and take full-time pastoral duties.

Wings of Love Community Church has been busy serving, loving and reaching out to our local community in numerous ways.

Recent History

Late in 2004 and throughout 2005 and 2006, a noticeable shift has been happening in the Lord.  A new grace and unity among believers and local ministers of different churches has been occurring.

On September 17, 2006, five churches including Wings of Love Community Church held a joint worship service in Brandon Park in central Williamsport. The meeting was an outgrowth of fellowship between area pastors who have been praying together concerning what the Lord is doing in this region.

This was followed by a series of multi-church meetings held at City Church in Sunday evenings in downtown Williamsport. The rapport has been wonderful and encouraging.