Frank Testa, known to many as Pastor Frank or Brother Frank, left his earthly body and entered the presence of his Lord and Savior April 23rd at 85 years of age. He was born September 5, 1938 in Guttenberg, New Jersey to Frank and Nancy Testa. He was the youngest of six children. He is survived by his sister, Gloria Mancini of Leola, and was preceded in death by brothers Bart, Jack, Joseph, and Robert. He leaves several nieces and nephews as well as numerous spiritual sons and daughters. From a very young age, Frank knew that he was called to fulltime ministry. Following high school, he studied at seminaries in both the US and Belgium where he diligently prepared to become “Father Testa.” After 13 years as a Catholic priest, he surrendered that title to work on the streets of Newark, NJ helping to care for the least, the last and the lost. During those years he married Joan McIntyre, a former nun, and together they ministered as a team both in America and around the world for over 40 years until her death in 2020. They initially worked with men in a residential program at Teen Challenge and then began a similar ministry known as The New Ark where they witnessed lives changed by the power of God. Years later, they received an invitation to bring their ministry to Lancaster County. They relocated in 1989 and established a program ministering to men in the Christiana area. There they continued to see God’s deliverances for over a decade. Frank and Joan had a special love for the poor, the infirmed, the wounded and the persecuted. For over 20 years they traveled across 44 states in their “Repent America” pickup truck carrying a 10 foot cross with lettering calling America to turn back to God. They also crossed the Atlantic to help the late Theresa Walpole, a dear sister in the Lord, establish the Harbingers Missionary Training Institute in a remote village in the country of Kenya. That work continues today by training African men and women to evangelize the unreached people groups in Africa.
Frank served as the Harbingers US Board President for many years and remained an active participant thereafter. In recent years, with the help of technology, Frank recorded messages to share with the students in the Harbingers school during their classroom sessions. The Testas also focused on reaching persecuted Christians in more than 65 countries around the world by being involved with the ministry of International Christian Concern (ICC). In Christiana, Frank and Joan started Alpha & Omega Ministries as a church home for many and a place where weekly prayer meetings were held to pray for America. Those who attended became a tight knit family. Missionaries and others always had a home with them. Their hospitality and generosity was unmatched. Frank was also very passionate about mentoring men to be all that God designed them to be. Many of them came to call him “Dad!” Frank described his relationship to his beloved, Joan, as one of a “honeymoon marriage.” He desired to write one final book to share with others how to have that kind of marriage. He recently accomplished that dream and, just weeks ago, the book, Honeymoon Marriage, was published! The Testas also wrote and published their life story in the book entitled, From Darkness to Light. That book has blessed multitudes over the years and is still available. Pastor Frank was a vocal artist with a strong desire to minister through song and encourage others to worship the Lord. He regularly blessed listeners with his wonderful voice. He loved deeply. His heart for people, his mercy and grace, his kindness and his gentle ways will be missed by all who had the privilege of doing life with him. It is easy to imagine that he was welcomed in heaven with the Words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” A viewing will be held Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. at Alpha and Omega Ministries. A celebration of his life will be held at Alpha & Omega Ministries, 191 Upper Valley Rd., Christiana, Friday 26th from 10am. Viewing from 9am to 10am until the time of service. Interment will be at Maple Grove Mennonite Cemetery, Atglen. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Harbingers Ministries, P.O. Box 113, Paradise, PA 17562, to InterContinental Christian Ministries, PO Box 213, Quarryville, PA 17566, or to International Christian Concern, P.O. Box 8056, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8056. Arrangements have been entrusted to Shivery Funeral Home, Christiana & Paradise Comments are closed.
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