Paying It Forward

AVON PARK - As a recovering alcoholic, Pastor Bill Breylinger, with Union Congregational Church, knows what it's like to have life restored. Twenty-two years ago, at the age of 37, he felt God gave him back his life.

At the time he knew he was dying, and if he didn't tell someone his problem, he wouldn't make it. He then got honest with himself and went through a six-week treatment facility. Breylinger says God and lots of people forgave him and believed in him.

"I owe God for the rest of my trip through life."

Excited and dedicated, he especially enjoys ministering to hurting people, and his heart is in restoring lives.

In 1987 he came to the church as a youth pastor. A year and a half later he became senior pastor. With a part-time secretary and janitor at that time, the church has grown and now has an assistant and associate minister, a music minister, a youth minister and an assistant youth minister.

The church members are actively involved. Many volunteer at the Church Services Center, which helps with food and shelter. Most members give five hours a week to a missionary purpose. The church focuses on giving funds for local ministry and partners with Samaritan's Touch Center, which provides free medical care to the indigent. And they build a home each year with Habitat for Humanity.

In 2001, Breylinger walked 450 miles to Americus, Ga. - the birthplace of Habitat International - and raised $100,000 for Highlands County's Habitat for Humanity. He feels strongly that Highlands County is a model for others on how to help the poor. He hopes to break down racial barriers in spite of cultural, economic and neighborhood differences.

Now in his late 50s, Breylinger enjoys relaxing by reading, playing golf and enjoying time with his wife, Jane, and their two adopted daughters, Charity, 19, and Celeste, 13.

One of his favorite joys is being a part of the youth ministry, taking 90 kids each summer to a tent camp on the Little Pigeon River near Gatlinburg, Tenn.

There's a melting pot of lost kids. Having been a minister for 30 years, Breylinger knows there's a big difference in today's kids compared to those from the '60s and '70s. He sees they are looking for someone authentic to share their hurts, whether it's sexual, addiction, overeating, grief recovery, co-dependency, abuse or other issues.

It's been an effective ministry. He knows most people keep their secrets out of shame. This gives the kids a chance to open up.

"You get them away from their iPods, and they learn to open up," Breylinger said.

Every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Fellowship Hall in the historic church, they have a free barbecue open to all.

From 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. they break up into smaller groups. Theirs is a counseling ministry with
anonymity, and anyone with a hurt, a habit or a hang-up is treated like a child of God. He knows there is power in people's stories. When people share their burdens he's seen how their lives are restored and changed.

He's adamant this community is where he wants to live out his life.

"I want to make a difference," he said.

Breylinger feels he is blessed, and because of that he's a cheerleader and an encourager.

The church's creed is that when a hand reaches out for help, they want the hand of Jesus to be there, and that they are each responsible for that.

"It's the best thing in the world to be a pastor with people like this," he added.