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June 30, 2004 |
This is Richard Gerber reporting the June 30, 2004 edition of Home Missions Today. God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA—The past few months have been very encouraging for the congregation of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and pastor Cliff Blair. They celebrated one year as an organized congregation in April. Early in June Redeemer Church had its highest morning worship attendance yet. Eighteen visitors, most of whom were local, were present that Sunday. Visitors have heard about Redeemer Church through her radio ministry and other outreach efforts. There is one person actively seeking membership and a few warmly considering it. Dr. George Knight has been called and installed as a Teacher. At the turn of this first year in the life of the congregation, give thanks to God with Redeemer for all that he has done and for all that he will do for and through them. Pray that the Lord will use them to be agents for his grace and truth to the decaying culture around them.
HUDSONVILLE, MICHIGAN—Cedar Church continues to rejoice in the goodness and faithfulness of God. Pastor Steve Igo reports that the church is focusing her summer ministries on mercy, missions, and discipleship. Seventeen teens and adults will participate in two home repair/evangelistic ministries in July—one in McDowell County, West Virginia, and one in urban Chattanooga, Tennessee. Their local outreach will include two Backyard Bible Clubs in Hudsonville and a booth at the county fair. Summer discipleship will include a new twist in their schedule. Sunday Morning Catechism Club for ages 4 through grade 6 has replaced Sunday school. During the Sunday morning instruction time, ten junior high students will be taking a summer communicant membership class. A new post-high class for ladies is also being held this summer. The summertime activities will come to a close as eight of the mission work's families attend an OPC Family Camp in August. Pray that the exalted Christ will spread his fame and build up his people here in western Michigan through the ministry of his church.
IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO—New Geneva OPC has been enjoying a season of blessing and progress in the advancement of the Reformed faith in a dark and hard area of the world. The church acquired a building by the grace of God and the assistance of the OPC Loan Fund. This has helped the congregation gain a higher visibility in the community and signaled that she is 'here to stay.' A few new visitors have been attending worship, but, more importantly, they have seen five people come to faith. Two exchange students have professed faith, never having heard the gospel in their respective nations. A father and two of his children have been attending worship services at New Geneva, have been catechized by pastor David Bass, and are prepared to make professions of faith and be baptized. Additionally, a new elder was elected and ordained. He is new to the OPC, but has a background in another Reformed denomination. Slowly but surely, New Geneva has been pushing back the frontiers of biblical ignorance and cultivating the fields of the gospel in this part of the 'wild west.' Continue to pray for their greatest obstacle, the looming threat of the Mormon religion. This cult seems like a bona fide religion since 70-80% of the people practice it in this region. However, the Bible constantly illumines their situation and reveals it as the false gospel that it is.
PROVO, UTAH—On July 3rd and 5th,Christ Presbyterian Church will be hosting a book table at the Provo Freedom Festival, the largest festival in Utah County. Pray for pastor Scott Seder and the people of the congregation who will be staffing the table. Ask the Lord to give them many opportunities to speak of Christ and to distribute Christian literature. Please pray that many will attend worship at Christ Presbyterian Church and that Christ will draw many people to himself.
Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday, July 14 or call 215/830-9424 ext. 46.
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Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension |