RP Church Planters Gather in N. Carolina

Every three years, the RPCNA Home Mission Board has the privilege of hosting a retreat for church planters. The purpose is to encourage them with fellowship, teaching and some relaxation.  This year, Pastor Ian Wise recommended a beautiful campground called Bonclarken in North Carolina that is owned by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.  The colorful fall leaves and comfortable lodge rooms added to our comfort and enjoyment. It was held the last weekend of October.  The group included men who are involved with planting a church or are new to the ministry in the past three years. 

The speaker for this year’s conference was Dr. Tony Curto, who has served as pastor and missionary of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and associate professor of missions and apologetics at Greenville Theological Seminary. Time for prayer, singing from The Book of Psalms for Worship, rest and much fellowship was included.

Comments on the conference evaluation forms included:  “It was nice that it wasn’t packed too full. Church planters need rest!”  “Fellowship with people who are going through the same things was probably the most encouraging and helpful aspect of the entire weekend. Also, realizing that we are not alone in what we are doing and other churches have the very same struggles.”  Everyone commented favorably about the teaching received from Dr. Curto.

Laramie, Wyo., RP Fellowship Becomes a Mission Church

On the Lord’s Day, Jan. 31, the Laramie, Wyo., Reformed Presbyterian Fellowship organized as a mission church.

There has never been a congregation of the RPCNA in Wyoming, but it is hoped that the one developing in Laramie will be the first of others to come. Like other Reformed Presbyterian churches, this one promotes biblical Christianity, Reformed doctrine, the central place of Jesus Christ in the plan of redemption, a cappella psalm singing and Christian love and service.

This mission work is an outreach of the Midwest Presbytery. It began when the organizing pastor, Bob Hemphill, and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Laramie in summer 2007. Since then many others have become involved in the life and ministry of the church. The service in January marked a significant step in the church-building process.

With a good representation from the Colorado Reformed Presbyterian churches, there were about 65 people in attendance. Pastor Martin Wilsey (Longmont, Colo.) preached on the theme, “I WILL Build My Church.”

Nineteen people became charter members of the mission congregation. Some are students, others are long-time members of the Laramie community and some are new arrivals in town. All are committed to spreading the truth and light of Jesus Christ in this community and beyond. Each communicant signed the Covenant of Church Membership and pledged unity with one another. Several children were also baptized.

The members of the Laramie Mission Church have all the privileges and responsibilities of other members in the RPCNA. No elders were elected at the service, but elders from the Midwest Presbytery who live in Colorado were appointed to serve as members of a temporary governing body until the church reaches full congregational status. The temporary session is made up of Pastor Bob Hemphill (on site), Jerry Milroy (Colorado Springs), Shane Sapp (Westminster) and Dick Mueller (Salt and Light).

A fellowship meal followed the service and also a time of psalm singing. God was kind in answering prayer with good weather and safe travel.

In March a group of students from Purdue University came to Laramie for a spring break conference and skiing trip. About 10 students, accompanied by Pastor Dave Long and his wife, Jenny, and adult chaperones Charlie and Beth Moore, arrived from Lafayette, Ind., on Mar. 13. On the Lord’s Day they participated in worship and fellowship activities with the church. Then on Monday and Tuesday mornings, they had Bible studies led by Dave Long and Bob Hemphill. Recreation included bowling, sightseeing and snowshoeing. On Wednesday, the students went to ski in the Snowy Range and stayed overnight in a motel near the ski slope. They skied again on Thursday and returned to Laramie that evening for a congregational meal. They headed back east on Mar. 19.

Other things scheduled this spring are a monthly Children’s Hour and a monthly Fireside Chat for college students and young adults.

Please pray for every opportunity to share the message of Christ and the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20-21, 27). Pray for students as they head into the spring term and the end of the school year. And pray for those working at jobs, that they might be grow daily in Jesus Christ.

Orlando, Fla., RPC

An estimated 220 abortions are performed on a daily basis in Orange County, Fla. One event occurs annually in answer to this disturbing statistic, the Walk for Life. This event brings attention to and benefits True Life Choice, a local nonprofit crisis pregnancy and abortion intervention clinic.

The staff’s goal is to create a positive influence in the lives they connect with, and to share the alternatives to abortion, such as adoption. An important part of the clinic’s work, as a Christian-based organization, is to present the gospel to the young women who stay there. The clinic’s board is made up of Christian men from a variety of area churches.

The annual Walk for Life takes place in the spring, a season of beginnings and new life in emergence. The location is downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola Park, where families also gather. This year’s event took place on Saturday, Mar. 27. A table was set up where a massive number of empty baby booties were displayed, representing babies lost through abortion.

Members from many local churches participated in the “walk.” Sixteen from the Orlando RPC attended, including four children. Those participating were Ed and Jean Forest (Jean was the walk leader), Kelly, Kiersten, Leanna and Jana Bailey, Carolyn Bloom, Amanda Burgess, Carolyn Clarke, Stephanie and Emily Garrow, Carol Herring, Jim Pennington, Dianne and Erin Schaefer, and Lorene Wilcox.

There is a monetary sponsorship for the walkers, and donations are also accepted. The Orlando RPC raised $764 during this year’s event. Along with that substantial amount, they earned a reward: satisfaction in a worthy deed well done.

—Louise Turmenne, correspondent