Ohio Mission Church Organized as a Congregation

On Dec. 4, Covenant RPC was organized as a regular congregation by the Presbytery of the Alleghenies. Pastor Bruce Backensto (First RPC of Beaver Falls, Pa.) presided, and Dr. Dennis Prutow (RP Seminary) preached from Ephesians 2:11-22 on the topic, “Your Time has Come.”

Following the sermon, the congregation elected John Bower, Ron Grissett and Bob Concoby as elders and Jerry Bridge as deacon. A reception and good fellowship capped off the evening.

The new congregation is thankful for its denomination and for wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ whose kindness encourages them. Pray that God will use the church to further accomplish His will in northeastern Ohio.

News from North Atlanta, Ga., RP Mission Church Pastor Frank J. Smith, stated supply

Five times in August and September, door-to-door visitation was conducted in the area near where the church meets. Church members knocked on 291 doors and distributed 284 brochures. An earlier survey revealed a highly diverse community, both ethnically and religiously.

Throughout 2009 the congregation knocked on 1,229 doors and distributed 1,166 brochures in the Atlanta area. They have spoken to people from countries as disparate as Uzbekistan, the Isle of Man, Chile, Bangladesh, Denmark, Ghana, Korea, Iran, South Africa, Tunisia and Venezuela.

In August the congregation was encouraged by the visit of Pastor Barry York. Pastor York enjoyed co-laboring with Frank Smith in the service and was thankful to be able to first explain to the congregation and then administer to Frank and Penny the vows of church membership.

On the Lord’s Day all 19 members attended, along with the Phil and Sharon Joseph family, Herby Hendricksen (fellow elder with Phil in the former Little River Church) and two of his daughters, and OPC minister Boyd Miller from LaGrange, Georgia.

Pastor York participated in a downtown Atlanta Sunday evening Bible study. Pastor Smith, Brian Evans and Pastor York went out to invite people to come, and some responded eagerly. A man who identified himself as a member of the Methodist Church but who said he was a prodigal son who had been homeless for seven years asked to come. He was perceptive during the study. About 12 people listened and interacted for an hour as Pastor Smith taught on the “Worshiped King” from Psalm 95.

Contacts have been made in a variety of other ways, including through participation in a Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser (Executive Lockup) and through teaching at a local community college.

In September the congregation was blessed when two members of the Presbytery Commission visited in the last weekend of the month. Pastor Jared Olivetti preached and administered communion, and Elder Steve Sturm assisted by serving as a precentor.

In October, the congregation began renting both sides of the room they’ve been using at the Hampton Inn & Suites, thereby doubling the seating capacity.

A new family began attending in November and appeared to be committed to continuing. Two people from the downtown Atlanta Bible study also attended morning worship services, and at least one of them expressed interest in returning.

The congregation has continued to list, on a rotational basis and in alphabetical order, a presbytery church-of-the-week in their bulletin so that they can pray for that congregation during the service and throughout the week.

The church is developing contacts in other places, such as Athens, Georgia. Their hope is that more congregations will spring up throughout the Peach State and the Southland.

The congregation offers many thanks for your love, prayers, and support. They look forward to the Lord’s blessing upon continued efforts in 2010 as they proceed toward the organization of this congregation.

—Bill Wagner