Home Missions Today

September 7, 2005

This is Ross Graham reporting the September 7, 2005 edition of Home Missions Today. God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America.

MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA—The congregation of Sovereign Grace is focusing on evangelism as they move into the fall. In August they began an evangelism course entitled "Community Houses of Prayer," emphasizing strategic prayer as the central component to outreach. Please pray that the Lord will give the church a steady stream of visitors and that they would desire to serve the Lord through the ministry of Sovereign Grace. The congregation continues to work through the tragedy of a number of marriages that are dealing with difficult issues and concerns. But the Lord's gracious hand continues to be revealed in the church as attendance, though affected by the marital concerns, has been stable and has even grown through the summer with an average of fifty in morning worship. The church has received five new adults and two non-communicant children into the membership this summer. Two of the newest members have volunteered to teach the adult Sunday school. Finally, the reports from tests regarding pastor Robert Herrmann's cancer surgery continue to be negative, for which the congregation gives thanks and praise to God.

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—Regional Home Missionary Don Poundstone reports encouraging progress toward organization at new and separate congregations in several Southern California mission works, particularly those in Temecula, Escondido, and Moreno Valley. These groups are growing financially stronger and are beginning to identify men who can serve as elders and deacons. Numerous adult adherents at Presbytery's new Spanish-speaking work in Phoenix, Iglesia Nueva Vida, are preparing for communicant membership and the baptism of all their covenant children. Praise God for these people! Don asks prayer for interested families in Cottonwood, Arizona, and Big Bear Lake, California, who are considering applying for recognition and help as new mission works. Don is also assisting Providence Reformed OPC, Paso Robles, California, in its search for a new organizing pastor.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA—Pastor Cliff Blair gives thanks to our Lord that things are progressing well for Redeemer Presbyterian Church. On August 13, nine men from Redeemer and their sister congregation at Matthews returned from two weeks in Africa working with Missionary Phil Proctor in Mbale, Uganda. While there, they dug a well and laid the foundations for the first building on the campus of Knox Theological College. The Proctors were encouraged and both congregations, through the participation and reports of their men, were drawn more closely into the larger work of the OPC. On the home front, Redeemer continues to enjoy steady growth in numbers and consistent love and unity of the body.

WILLOW GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA—The Committee on Home Missions and Church Extension meets at the administrative offices on September 13-14. Please ask the Lord to provide wisdom concerning the many decisions that need to be made, including support for new mission works. Pray, also, for safety for the men who travel from around the country to attend this meeting.

CONCERNING HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF—Be sure to check weekly updates posted on the OPC website for the latest information on needs of OP families affected by Hurricane Katrina, and suggested ways you can pray and help. Word has now reached us of several Orthodox Presbyterian families in New Orleans who have lost their homes and possessions, and of several Louisiana and Texas OP churches which are providing substantial assistance to storm refugees and which could use the prayers, gifts, and even the helping hands of OP folks from other parts of the country.

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday, September 21 or call 215/830-9424 ext. 46.