20th ANNIVERSARY
TESTIMONIES

Pastor Dennis Hodulick
Edna Hodulick
Lynn J. Mastromano
Sarah Syrek
Pastor Stan and Mary Slager
Gideon Hodulick
John and Carole Kurdt
Tom & Mary Bentley
Julianna Hodulick
Brother Larry Feeley
Millie Karpf
Pastor Al Isaksen
Jim Kinnier

Pastor Dennis Hodulick:
First God said, "Prepare," (which I interpreted as study) then after a couple of years He said, "See, I have given you a pastors heart." Next He said, "Go back to where you grew up (Brentwood/Bay Shore) and start a church." Admittedly this is not much to go on, but it was confirmed through prayer with my wife, Edna, my pastor, and the leaders of the congregation. After these initial confirmations, plans were then made at several elder meetings and a sense of combined destiny, gifting , and local church was immediately made apparent.
Twenty years ago if you told me that ALCF would own property, have sent missionaries around the world, help plant churches, and be a national influence, I would have said… "Yes I know, I can see that." I knew and know that we serve a mighty God!
I don't mean to be arrogant, but I didn't leave my job in the prime of my life to give myself full-time to the planting of ALCF for it to be anything less than it is today. That doesn't include all that my wife and children gave up because I said, "God spoke to me." Was it worth it? You bet! My family lacks nothing and has seen the mighty hand of God many times. Moreover, many people have been restored and refreshed. Many children have grown up in faith-filled homes believing that they too are someone special in God's Kingdom.
When I asked Edna to trust God to feed a family of five on the then twenty dollars a week left over after the bills were paid, she said, "O-o-o-ok," with all the faith she could muster. As God would have it, we NEVER had less than $120.00 (what she was accustomed to) each and every week thereafter.
What do the next twenty years hold for ALCF? I believe more property, more sent missionaries, more churches planted, and a continuing national influence.
Pastor Dennis Hodulick

Edna Hodulick:
Celebrating 20 years of Abundant Life with thoughts on generosity:
ALCF was founded in 1982, and much has happened with regard to growth. Our own children grew up in the church. All three have married believers, (two spouses were found in our church) and continue to come to Abundant Life with their children. I rejoice greatly in this: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 4.
We were sent forth through the generous prayers and support of the body at Gospel Community Church twenty years ago, and thus an example was set for us to send others forth. The word of God speaks of doing faithfully whatever is done for the brethren and for strangers who bear witness of the love of God before the church. "If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God you will do well, because they went forth for His name's sake." 3 John 6 & 7. The generosity of the believers that stand behind the works of ALCF is what help Bob and Marcia Moston have a church work in Vermont; Glen & Anna Gerhauser establish a church in Australia; John and Carole Kurdt venture into Jamaica and now Craig and Carla right here in West Islip.
I praise God for having saved such a people as Dennis and myself. He drew us out of darkness and enabled us to see the life of His son. As we continue to be sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ; we are able to ask that peace and love be multiplied to you because that is what we found in Jesus.
Edna Hodulick

Lynn J. Mastromano:
In the summer of 1982, I was newly saved and looking for a church to call home. A friend asked if I’d be interested in a small church that had recently started out. Being easily overwhelmed by some of the larger churches I’d seen; I wanted to give it a try. When we arrived, I was somewhat uncomfortable walking into the house of someone I didn’t know. I was warmly greeted and escorted to Pastor Dennis’ mother’s basement. Once service started, I knew I was home.
Several weeks later, God put a burning desire on my heart to be baptized. I called Pastor Dennis, who shared my enthusiasm, but paused to say ALCF hadn’t done one before and we’d need to make arrangements with his parent church. Having no idea how an adult gets baptized, I pictured Jesus being baptized by John. I quickly said, "I want to be baptized in the river." Pastor asked, "What river?" "Any river," I answered excitedly. That’s when Pastor thought of going to Heckscher State Park and on August 8, 1982, I had the distinct honor of being the first ALCF member to be baptized. To this day, I thank God that it was summer.
Lynn J. Mastromano

Sarah Syrek:
A dramatic change took place in my life about 20 years ago. My father was called to become a pastor. At first it was not that big of an adjustment. We would sit around in my grandma's living room and have church. Just like any other bible study or prayer group, only on Sunday. It was when we cleared out Grandma's basement and set the chairs up with a long aisle down the center that I knew it was real.
A "home" church allows for a very different perspective. Things seem to happen in that environment that would never take place in a more formal sanctuary. One of the funniest had to be when Grandma's dog PJ got loose and came running down the long aisle during worship. The aisle was so narrow that it was almost impossible to turn her around to bring her back up.
When we moved to Brentwood Road, the church was also our home. During services our kitten "Inky" would get locked in the basement. One night during fellowship time, someone was standing outside the basement door talking to me. All of a sudden, this look of shock crossed her face. Inky had reached out from under the basement door and grabbed her stocking!
Times have certainly changed. The progress and growth has been wonderful. But I think it's time for the Redington Street location to get a pet.
Sarah Syrek



Pastor Stan and Mary Slager:
Whenever our Lord identified an individual or a group as having "little faith," it wasn’t meant as a compliment. I have to confess that my faith was little as I observed the beginnings of ALCF some 20 years ago when the church met in Mom Hodulick’s basement. But I was looking around, and Pastor Dennis and Edna were looking up.
You moved up from the basement to a house, and then to a bar! What may be next…a supermarket…or bowling alley? Or perhaps you will keep impacting your community and the world from where you are.
You have kept God’s Word, and you have not denied His Name. He has set before you an open door of witness and testimony, including the worldwide mission field. You have overcome much along the way, and God has made you pillars in His temple. His approval and blessings are upon you.
Our love and prayers are with you on this great occasion.
Pastor Stan and Mary Slager



Gideon Hodulick:
I think I was in first grade when we left Sayville and moved into the church on Brentwood Road. I wasn't too happy, but we settled in fine. In a big tree on the side of the parking lot, where my brother and I rode bikes and played football, I built my first tree house. The best part about living there was getting showered, dressed, and walking down the steps and you were in church.
It seemed like every Saturday we worked with all the men down at the church. I liked working along side the people from the ALCF and still do.
I also have met many people in the last twenty years. Some have been there since the beginning, while others just seem like they were, all of them being a part of my life like a big family. I know, because when I was sick the church was there for me and my family. Being a "P.K." (pastor's kid) wasn't easy, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I have watched this church grow from a handful of people in my grandmother's house to where it is now. ALCF continues to start churches, support missionaries, send members on short-term mission trips, and is involved in the community. I have realized that the leadership of ALCF is not sitting on what God has already done, but are pursuing what God has for the future.
Gideon Hodulick

John and Carole Kurdt:
As we consider the last 20 years we are brought back to a time when we were babies in Christ. Just as we became Christians, we met Dennis and Edna Hodulick. We were hungry for the things of God and really excited when they started the new "young adults" bible study at their house. (Yes, at that time we were young adults). There at the bible study we found ourselves learning about the Lord and His Word at a rapid rate. We learned just as much by seeing how Dennis and Edna lived and were bringing up their small children. Every Friday night we saw how they emptied their home and filled it with young people instead. The example they set before us was one of giving joyfully. Two years later we were thrilled to be joining Dennis and Edna in starting a church. Though we could see that the Hodulicks were sacrificing "life as they knew it" to accomplish the purposes of God and begin a new church, what we saw was a family giving their life for others willingly and joyfully. This is our example. This is LIFE. Abundant Life.
John and Carole Kurdt

Pastor Al Isaksen:
On one particular Sunday, Dennis Hodulick came to hear Norman Grubb at Gospel Community Church; wearing sawed-off dungaree shorts. Dennis was a member of the Episcopal Church and asked Norman if he should remain there or come to Gospel Community. Norman's answer was he left that denomination 30 years previously. The outcome was that Dennis started to fellowship at Gospel Community.
Soon after, Dennis attended an ushers meeting and was told (with other men) that they needed to wear a shirt and tie. At first Dennis disagreed, but later on decided to go along with it; the result was a tremendous change in his life. He was moved into an executive position and was asked to be the best man at a wedding … needing a shirt and tie. The Lord works in mysterious ways, His purposes to fulfill. This was the beginning of Dennis Hodulick at Gospel Community.
With a desire to seek the face of the Lord, Dennis grew tremendously as time went by. He was our Youth (young adults) Leader, also lead our services as a deacon and elder, and occasionally shared the Gospel on Wednesday Eve. Later the Lord called him to Pastor a pioneer church in Brentwood which eventually moved to Bay Shore. The name of the church, "Abundant Life" (In Jesus) speaks of the messages that Pastor Dennis preaches. The church grew from 25 people to the congregation it is today.
May God continuously bless Pastor Dennis and his flock even till Jesus comes.
Pastor Al Isaksen

Jim Kinnier:
In 1982, I was a confused and lost 18-year-old. Then I was invited to Gospel Community Church, where Pastor Al because of stopping to pray for a woman, gave no altar call. The next Sunday when the altar call was given, I wanted to stand up but didn’t. After service, Larry Feeley, asked (the usual), "Where are you from?" "Brentwood," I replied. "Really, just a second." He returned with Dennis and John Kurdt, and the situation was explained. We prayed, after agreeing with Dennis (in prayer), I’ll never forget what he asked me, "Where does Jesus live?" (prompted by the Holy Spirit), I replied "In my heart." Then Dennis said, "We’re having a Bible study on Wednesday night at 10 on 8th Ave. Do you know where it is?" I did, it wasn’t even a mile from my parent’s house; Dennis preached a message called "Ignorance can be fixed". The first Sunday service was two weeks later on June 6, 1982.
In the fall, 1514 Brentwood Road was purchased; needing much work. I remember a lot of Friday nights it was just Dennis and I working, I'd ask questions and he'd speak into my life. Like a dry sponge, I'd absorb everything Dennis taught. I feel privileged that I got to know and learn from him, not knowing that God used me as an encouragement to Dennis and Edna, being that I too was from Brentwood and often the only one showing up to work. God works that way, thinking you’re going to get blessed and He uses you as a blessing. Twelve years later, I moved to Sag Harbor with my wife Barbara and children. The foundation that was established at ALCF continues to guide us. I think a man can be a great pastor not because of his ability, but because of his ability to be obedient to God. I believe Dennis is such a man.
Happy 20th and many more.
Jim Kinnier