Orlando, Fla., RPC

Nathan Eshelman, pastor

During the Sunday school recess from summer classes, the church leadership decided to introduce a series of lessons taught by the elders for the purpose of spiritual and denominational enlightenment. The lessons taught were: Church Discipline, Regulative Principle, Confessionalism, Bible Study and Devotions, The Sabbath—Means of Grace, The Kingdom of God, Mediatorial Kingship, and Judgment, Heaven and Hell and Eternity.

Joe Johnson is now licensed to preach, though he still needs to complete more exams to be fully ordained. We were blessed by his sermon on Aug. 27, titled “Always Pray.” He’s been preaching every other week in Celebration, Fla.

After morning worship service on Sept. 3, during our monthly fellowship meal, Pastor Eshelman offered a prayer for Joel and Tava (Goerner) Schaefer. They left our congregation to relocate to Kentucky.

—Louise Turmenne, correspondent

Fulton, N.Y., RPC

Martin Monteith, pastor

The Lord Jesus began His work in Fulton, N.Y., in the late 19th Century through the Reformed Presbyterian Church by means of the Hunter family from the nearby Covenanter church in Sterling, N.Y. John Hunter established his sons in various businesses, including the Hunter Fan Company and the Hunter Arms, both of which were established in Fulton. Sadly, the Covenanter church in Sterling closed in the early 20th Century when the remnant in that congregation moved to the Midwest.

The Lord revived His work in 1994 by planting a new congregation in Fulton through the Oswego church, with Pastor Nicholas Iamaio taking up the gospel call. After 27 years of faithfully preaching the gospel and teaching the Scriptures, Pastor Iamaio retired on Oct. 9, 2021. Eight days later, Pastor Emeritus Kit Swartz declared the pulpit vacant and, with no resident ruling elders, the congregation was reduced to a preaching station.

Several members, anticipating the closure of the congregation, transferred to nearby RP churches or other congregations. But by the grace and power of Christ, the Lord moved the remnant to continue the work. Deacon Rus VanNorstrand was steadfast in his work, and the Lord provided provisional elders in Pastor Emeritus Kit Swartz and Pastor Doug Chamberlain, continuing the many years of work put in by Provisional Elder Kevin Plummer.

A new gift of members and laborers joined the work in Fulton from the Oswego congregation, and the congregation committed themselves to pray and trust God to build His church and raise up a man to shepherd them. Many men in St. Lawrence Presbytery generously and faithfully provided preaching as God restored and even increased the size of the flock and the work in Fulton. It is the congregation’s prayer that the Lord, in due time, will return former members to continue with the work in Fulton and that all the saints who live in the Fulton community will be moved to join and support the gospel work in Fulton. God has placed everyone where they are for His glory and honor.

On Mar. 5, the congregation held an election by which the Lord raised up two elders, an additional deacon, and two deaconesses, all of whom were ordained or installed on Apr. 9. Martin and Melanie Monteith visited in the middle of March, during which time Martin preached twice and taught a Bible study. Both Martin and Melanie enjoyed rich fellowship with the congregation. The Lord gave a strong spiritual connection between the Fulton congregation and the Monteiths, which on May 28 led to a unanimous election on the first ballot of Martin Monteith to be Fulton RPC’s pas-tor.

Pastor-Elect Monteith was heartily sustained in his ordination exams by St. Lawrence Presbytery at their meeting in Fulton on July 25. The Monteiths moved to Fulton on July 31, and Martin began his teaching, preaching, and pastoral ministry in August.

By order of the presbytery, Martin Monteith’s ordination and installation was set for Oct. 9, exactly two years after Pastor Iamaio retired. Many esteemed guests from St. Lawrence Presbytery, as well as Presbytery of the Alleghanies, joined to witness and participate in this momentous event. Pastor Gabriel Wingfield preached on Philippians 4:4–7; Pastor Brian Coombs gave the queries; and Dr. Barry York, RPTS president, delivered the prayer of ordination and installation and the charge to Pastor Monteith. The charge to Fulton RPC was delivered by Ruling Elder and longtime Fulton Provisional Elder Kevin Plummer. To conclude, newly ordained Pastor Martin Monteith adjourned the court in prayer and delivered his first benediction.

This was an evening of overwhelming joy in the Lord for His goodness and answer to Fulton RPC’s prayers. There was much rejoicing in the Lord, and Fulton RPC seeks His glory and His honor in the Fulton, N.Y., community for many years to come.

—Kit Swartz and Ethan Wyant