When Doug Paglia and a team of leaders felt called to start a new church in Mount Joy, they stepped out in faith.

People's Fellowship Church began worshipping in early January, after Paglia left a position he held at a local Methodist church.

"In late December, I felt it was time to move on, and there was a core group who wanted to go wherever we went," Doug said, referring to himself and his wife, Terrie. "The very next day, I went to Sheetz Funeral Home and spoke to director Andy Dieck, and he just made his facilities available for us."

The building was perfect for the small but faithful group of about 25 people, but soon that number had expanded to upward of 40 people a week, and the church outgrew the space.

"I went to see Mark Unger at RAISE28, and I told him we needed a little more room," Doug recalled. Unger was happy to host the church, but another congregation had already expressed interested in meeting at the building on Sunday mornings, so the only option was to meet in the afternoon. Doug and the others didn't want to do that. Before they had to decide their next step, however, the Lord showed them the way, Doug said.

"We got a call saying the other church had backed out, and the space was ours if we wanted it," he said. "This church has been one big miracle, one small miracle after another. It's good to know when you step out in faith, the Lord's there to back you up."

People's Fellowship Church moved to RAISE28, 105 Fairview St., in late July. The church holds nondenominational services on Sundays at 10:15 a.m.

"It's a Bible-based church," said Pete Parke, a member of the leadership team. "It's not full of opinions and conjecture. It's based on the Bible, and it's God-centered." The service is a blend of contemporary and traditional styles.

Doug brings with him 50 years of experience as a minister. He grew up as a preacher's kid, and he has experience with church planting overseas through mission work. People's Fellowship Church is his first church plant stateside.

Right from the start, Doug wanted his church to be a group effort. Names for the new church were submitted for a vote, and the congregants chose "People's Fellowship" intentionally.

"We felt it was a name that said 'unity' and complemented one another," Doug said.

For Jennie Hean, moving with the Paglias was an easy decision.

"I told (the) pastor I would follow him anywhere," she said. "If he preached in a barn, I would be in that barn with him and his wife. They're both very caring and active people. They visit our home worshippers. They go to the hospital, and they stay with you and pray with you. This man has changed my heart and my life. He's shown me how to walk with Jesus."

Fellow congregant Betsy Cook agreed, adding, "He's a man who doesn't use words as much as he shows with his actions, and actions always speak louder than words."

Cook especially likes that People's Fellowship Church is a shared venture.

"It's not a dictatorship," she said. "It's very collaborative, open and transparent. And anyone can voice an opinion and be heard."

Along with Sunday worship, the church holds regular Bible studies on Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. at Mount Joy Church of God, 30 E. Main St. The next one kicks off Aug. 20.

The congregation also strives to connect with the community, whether members are collecting items for a backpack drive at RAISE28 or gathering donations of personal care items for Elizabethtown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

On Sunday, Aug. 30, the church will hold a baptism service in Chiques Creek, and the congregation will participate in the rescheduled Stars & Stripes event in Mount Joy on Saturday, Sept. 12. Communion is held on the first Sunday of each month, and a potluck luncheon takes place after the service on the third Sunday of the month. Coffee and fellowship is offered after the weekly service.

All of the members emphasize that the church is open for anyone who's interested in attending.

"We're very welcoming," Hean said. "If somebody sees that you're new, they're going to go up to you and introduce themselves."

Although the members credit Doug's leadership with the church's success, he's modest in accepting the praise.

"I have a great team helping me," he said. "These are people who all work well together, and we're looking forward to seeing what happens next."

To learn more about People's Fellowship Church, search for "People's Fellowship Church Mount Joy" on Facebook or email peopleschurchinfo@gmail.com.