Home Missions Today

December 14, 2005

This is Richard Gerber reporting the December 14, 2005 edition of Home Missions Today. God is using your prayers to develop the ministries of Orthodox Presbyterian mission works across North America.

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY—Pray for the ministry of Tabernaculo de Gracia OPC and its organizing pastor Ben Alvira. The church conducts its worship in both Spanish and English and has a strong diaconal outreach. The group meets in a rented storefront in a gentrifying area of the city, and they may lose their building. Pray for a suitable meeting place to be found soon. Ben Alvira was recently named "Citizen of the Year in Camden." His work and testimony were featured in the local newspapers. He also serves as a part-time crisis counselor at nearby Cooper Hospital, where he has recently been requested to serve on the board and to teach several counseling courses to hospital chaplains. Ask the Lord to bless this outstanding opportunity to reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

MANISTEE, MICHIGAN—The families of Providence Presbyterian Church in Manistee, Michigan, continue to grow in God's grace. Though there has been no visible, numerical growth, the Holy Spirit is consistently changing peoples' hearts and minds to seek the pleasure of God more than the will of self and others. In recent months the Lord has granted open doors of witness within the community. These are being followed up as relationships develop and opportunities occur for sharing the Word of God with people. Pastor Ken Hovingh and the church families give thanks for faithful members who pray, labor, and give. Several families of the congregation continue to experience trials of various kinds. However, these trials are also bringing the fruits of spiritual growth. Their prayer is that the Lord would be clearly seen in the church families' lives individually and corporately.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA—God has been merciful to Providence Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. During the last year they have seen the addition of a number of new families. In addition to Lord's Day services, pastor Tony Monaghan reports that the church has expanded its ministries. A Wednesday night Bible study is held, as well as a men's study and a study for women. Attendance at the morning worship service has been in the mid forties, and Sunday school classes (four for children, one for adults) are in full swing. The congregation is thankful to God for sustaining her. Please pray that God would send more visitors and that the congregation would glorify him in all of its life.

NEON, KENTUCKY—Pastor John Belden reports that the congregation has been encouraged by the professions of faith made by the wife and oldest daughter of a member of Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church. On a sad note, the church is no longer working in a special way with three young men from the community. Covenant Church had high hopes for this training and discipleship ministry. Having the men leave the program has been a disappointment, but Covenant Church is determined to continue reaching out to them and others. Many good things came from this effort, and lessons have been learned for future ministry. Also, the extended families of the men noticed the church's efforts to help. Covenant's building project continues. Pray that God would continue to provide all that they need to complete phase one and be able to worship in the new sanctuary by summer. Please pray that the session would act wisely in dependence upon God for guidance as it examines the men in elder training to discern their readiness for office. Lastly, pray that a man in the congregation would be able to meet the diet requirements for stomach bypass surgery and for God to be actively at work in the heart and mind of another man who is now attending worship more regularly.

Look for the next edition of Home Missions Today on Wednesday, December 28 or call 215/830-9424 ext. 46.