Home Missions Today

January 11, 2006

This is Richard Gerber reporting the January 11, 2006 edition of Home Missions Today. God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America.

OVEIDO, FLORIDA—Pastor Eric Watkins reports that Reformation OPC is very thankful for God's blessing and mercy. The work is now out of the honeymoon stage of church planting and fruit is being seen, both from ministry done well and some that needs to be improved. Though the church is still small, several new families are attending regularly and showing interest in becoming members. All are rejoicing at how well everything went in hosting their presbytery's meeting. This was a first for them, and the meeting held in December had been postponed from October due to the threat of a hurricane. An officer training class has recently been completed. Please pray that additional officers will be elected and installed soon. Pastor and people rejoice to see God at work in their congregation.

PRESBYTERY OF OHIO—Regional Home Missionary Larry Oldaker reports, "Praise belongs to God for spiritual and numerical growth at Trinity OPC in Huntington, West Virginia, where pastoral intern Boone Leigh ministers." Boone, a PCA licentiate, is making good progress in his examinations toward licensure in the Presbytery of Ohio. Boone is ministering the Word of God faithfully at Trinity Church under the oversight of the session of Grace OPC in Columbus, Ohio, and he is also encouraging outreach into the community. Pray that Boone will soon complete the licensure process in the OPC. Larry also reports that God has been faithful to provide a strong nucleus of seven families in Kirtland, Ohio on Cleveland's eastside. They meet with him on Sunday evenings for worship and Wednesday evenings for Bible study. Please pray that a solid OP congregation would be established there. God is providing more opportunities for outreach in Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Pray that Christ would mightily build his church in the Presbytery of Ohio.

SHEDDEN, ONTARIO—Pastor Dale Collison asks you to pray for fruit from the outreach efforts of Grace OPC, including the 'Grace for Kids' activity packets being mailed to fifteen children. Pray, too, that the congregation would be ready to receive and minister to those whom the Lord sends to them. Also, please pray that the repairs, which need to be made on the foundation of their church building, will be accomplished quickly in the spring and at a reasonable cost. Pastor Collison has been experiencing some health difficulties. Please be in prayer for him and his wife Jan.

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—Encouraging church planting developments are taking place in Southern California, reports regional home missionary Don Poundstone. A group of twenty-five people in the resort community of Big Bear Lake, high in the mountains above San Bernardino, is asking presbytery to recognize them as a mission work. Pray for wisdom in seeking and selecting an organizing pastor for this group. Pray also for the several families in the Honolulu area (yes, Hawaii is part of this regional church) who want to start an OP church. Navy Chaplain John Carter is moving with his family to Oahu from Japan. He hopes to meet with the people in Honolulu for Bible study and prayer. Pray also for success in calling a new organizing pastor to serve at Providence Reformed Church, presbytery's mission work in Paso Robles, California.

MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA—Remember Sovereign Grace OPC and Pastor Bob Herrmann as they have completed their four-year program of denominational financial assistance. Rejoice in the congregation's financial stability and pray for more people to join them in worshiping and serving the Lord Jesus. Pray that Sovereign Grace OPC will develop well enough by the fall to be organized as a new and separate congregation at that time.

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday, January 25 or call 215/830-9424 ext. 46.