Innovation Church

about us

our story.

Innovation Church has roots that go back nearly 90 years in the Poconos. Starting as a cottage prayer meeting in 1936, several families came together for prayer and Bible study. As that group of believers grew, a pastor was hired, and in 1942 the church voted to join the Assemblies of God and take on the name, Full Gospel Assembly. A local school was rented, later purchased, and served as the church building for nearly 47 years during which the name was changed to Paradise Valley Assembly of God. By the 1980's the church's growth required a search for larger property and the sale of the congregation’s original home. Our present property was purchased in January 1988 and construction began shortly after. Over the years, our church building has also been added on to multiple times as the church keeps growing. In 2003 we chose another new name, Lighthouse World Prayer Center, and again from Lighthouse World Prayer Center to Innovation Church in 2010. Each name change represented a shift in the congregation as God took our church family through all the growing pains of life. As the Lord continues to grow his church, we continue to press on into all that God has for us today, tomorrow, and into the years ahead.

our DNA.

We consider the DNA of the church to be the things that will immediately stand out when someone visits. Just as you would recognize the eye color of a new friend, so too, we hope certain things will stand out at Innovation. First and foremost, we are family. Ephesians 2:19 says you are a member of God’s own family…and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. That is true for each and every one of us; we are family.

We want to be a second home where you can find friendship, faith in Jesus, a healthier lifestyle, and purpose for today. A place where kindness and forgiveness lead our actions as we all strive to better love God, love each other, and change our world. We know that no church can appeal to everyone, so we try to speak the language of those God has called us to reach and find common ground with the unchurched in the Poconos.

We prefer more contemporary music that is relevant and authentic. We know many are skeptical of organized religion, preferring the casual and informal over the formal, so we strive to create an environment of honesty where you can be yourself. We know many of our neighbors feel over-extended, tired, and uncertain; we welcome them to find a seat, relax, and experience the presence of God. He is welcome here, and so are you.

our team.

Josh & Allison Kollar

Lead & Connections Pastors

Josh has served the Innovation Church family for 12 years, 10 as Innovation's Teaching Pastor, and 2 as the Lead Pastor. Allison has been by his side the whole time, and joined the staff as a Connections Pastor in 2022. Josh and Allison have two sons: Hudson (named for Hudson Taylor) and Jude (named for the Beatles’ song...), and a beautiful daughter named Emery. They reside in Mt Pocono, Pennsylvania.

Reach out to Pastor Josh at: jkollar@innovationlife.org

Reach out to Pastor Allison at: allison@innovationlife.org

John Rodriguez

Youth & Music Pastor

John started at Innovation Church as a volunteer. First as a drummer, then as a student leader, and finally as the leader of Innovation's young adult ministry. He was then invited onto the staff way back in 2012. He has served faithfully as Innovation's youth pastor and more recently as its music pastor as well. John and his wife Joelle, life in Cresco PA with their 2 boys: Roman and Reign.

Reach out to Pastor John at: john@innovationlife.org

Dawn Kollar

Kids Pastor

Dawn is the long time kids pastor of Innovation Church. She has served our awesome kids for 23 years. Dawn also handles the church finances. She is married to Charles (a former pastor of 22 years at Innovation), the mother to three grown children, and grandmother to 10. She is the beloved spiritual matriarch to many at Innovation Church.

Reach out to Pastor Dawn at: dkollar@innovationlife.org

our beliefs.

In essential beliefs - we have Unity.
In non-essential beliefs - we have Liberty.
In all our beliefs - we show Love.

The Inspiration of Scripture

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Peter 1:21

The One True God

The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent "I AM," the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 43:10,11, Matthew 28:19, Luke 3:22

The Deity of Jesus Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. The Scriptures declare:
His virgin birth: Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31, Luke 1:35
His sinless life: Hebrews 7:26, 1 Peter 2:22
His miracles: Acts 2:22, Acts 10:38
His substitutionary work on the cross: 1 Cor.15:3, 2 Cor. 5:21
His bodily resurrection from the dead: Matthew 28:6
His exaltation to the right hand of God: Acts 1:9; 1:11; 2:33

The Fall of Man

Man was created good and upright; for God said, "Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness." However, man by voluntary transgression fell and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God.
Genesis 1:26,27, Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12-19

The Salvation of Man

Man's only hope of redemption is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ. By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, being justified by grace through faith, man becomes an heir of God, according to the hope of eternal life.
Luke 24:47, John 3:3, Rom. 10:13-15, Eph. 2:8, Titus 2:11, Titus 3:5-7

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit

All believers are entitled to and should ardently expect and earnestly seek the promise of the Father, the baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire, according to the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the normal experience of all in the early Christian Church. With it comes the enduement of power for life and service, the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of the ministry.
Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Sanctification

Sanctification is an act of separation from that which is sinful, and of dedication unto God. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to obey the command: "Be holy, for I am holy." Sanctification is realized in the believer by recognizing his identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, and surrendering himself to the dominion of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 6:1-11, Romans 12:1,2, Romans 6:13

The Blessed Hope

The resurrection of those who have fallen asleep in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the imminent and blessed hope of the church.
1 Thess. 4:16,17, Romans 8:23, Titus 2:13, 1 Cor. 15:51,52

The Final Judgment

There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, together with the devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, will be eternally separated from God, which is the second death.
Matthew 25:46, Mark 9:43-48, Revelation 19:20