One of my favorite hymns has the following line, "to God be the glory, great things He has done." All the honor belongs to the Lord for building His church here in Milford, Holland Township. We are humbled and privileged that He chose and allowed us to be a part of His ongoing salvation plan.
As I have said from the pulpit on many occasions, we (The Shepherd of the Valley Church) are God's love-gift to the community and surrounding area, His visible manifestation and presence to all who desire to know the true and living God. Our doors are open, and inside you will find love, acceptance and forgiveness...just as the Lord has extended to us.
The church is not about the building or programs, it's all about people...it's all about YOU! God has much more ahead for us all, and the best is yet to come! The One who has called you is faithful, and He will do it! Victory ahead! To God be the glory!
Pastor Dennis T. Durasoff is a lifelong resident of Hunterdon County, N.J. He graduated from Delaware Valley Regional High School in 1964. He is a third generation Pentecostal and has been a credential holder with the Assemblies of God for the past 18 years. Pastor Dennis graduated from Valley Forge Christian College in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Bible and Pastoral Ministry. In 1993 he was ordained by the General Council of the Assemblies of God.
After graduation the Lord directed the Durasoffs back to their home town to plant a church in western Hunterdon County. During the fall of 1991 several families began meeting at their home in Baptistown for prayer and Bible studies. In May of 1992 the church officially opened at the Y.M.C.A. in Holland Township, Milford, at which time Pastor Dennis was installed as the pioneer pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Church.
Since that time the church has grown to several hundred people and has added multiple staff to serve the ministry. They also have a beautiful worship facility that was built primarily by church members. The church is located on six acres of rolling hills in Holland Township.
Pastor Dennis' style of ministry might be described as traditional Pentecostal balanced with contemporary worship and passionate, challenging messages. He believes people desire a pastor/shepherd to be loving, caring, nurturing and accessible, one who faithfully leads by personal example in word and life. His goal is to see people commit their life to Jesus Christ, then to watch that person grow in their relationship with God, discover their spiritual gifts and become involved in some type of ministry in their home church. As pastor, he enjoys assisting people in discovering their God-given gifts, and then helps in training them for effective ministry.
Pastor Dennis resides in Kingwood Township with his wife Kathy. They have been married since 1972 and have two children, Denny, who is the church's music minister along with his wife Amanda, and daughter Misty. They enjoy their eight year old grandson, Bailey, and Jonah, their family pet English Bulldog.
