Second RPC

Location: Indianapolis, Ind.

Presbytery: Great Lakes–Gulf

Organization date: 1964

Membership: 220 communicant, 109 baptized

Pastors: Dr. Roy Blackwood, Rich Johnston

Associate Pastor: James Faris

Associate Pastor for Church Planting: Michael LeFebvre

Web site: www.secondrpc.org

History

In 1963, the Lord called Dr. and Mrs. Roy Blackwood to Indianapolis under the oversight of the presbytery. In 1964, a congregation was formed with 8 communicant members. God blessed this small group of saints, and the congregation has multiplied by His grace. As the ministry multiplied, Rich Johnston and later James Faris were called to serve as pastors with Dr. Blackwood. Seven men are active ruling elders.

After seeing several congregations spawned from Second RPC in its early years, the Lord has again called them to send out a group of families to the westside of Indianapolis. The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Westside Indianapolis (mission church) was established by the Great Lakes–Gulf Presbytery in March with nearly 50 charter members. Dr. Michael LeFebvre was called, ordained, and installed to be the pioneer pastor of this new ministry.

Ministries

In addition to worshiping God corporately as a congregation and hearing His Word proclaimed week by week, the Lord has led the Second RPC to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness in four areas of ministry:

Reaching—The Lord has blessed the congregation with many children, allowing them to reach the next generation. Many members are also involved in personal evangelism, and God has opened doors through a Good News Club in a local elementary school, an apologetics ministry at Butler University, and other venues.

Training—In training saints unto godliness, God has led us to pursue the model of individual discipleship prescribed in 2 Timothy 2:2. Most of this work occurs behind the scenes and emphasizes developing spiritual disciplines such as Scripture memory, Bible study, personal evangelism, and leadership.

Building—Over the last few years, God has made us a more mature congregation with saints in every stage of life. To meet these growing needs, we now have monthly luncheons for seniors, a college-age ministry, small group Bible studies, and monthly fellowship activities. We have hosted seminary level classes (overseen by the presbytery) taught by Dr. Blackwood and many others. The Lord has given us a unique ministry in helping to lead the Reformation Society of Indiana, a robust ministry that gathers a diverse group of pastors from around the city to study the Word of God and sharpen one another.

Sending—In addition to sending out souls through the Westside ministry, many young people are being sent out to other parts of the country and world. It is our prayer that God would give us grace to send many more fruitful laborers into His harvest in the coming years.

Prayer Requests

1. Give thanks for the Lord’s blessing these last 41 years.

2. Pray that the Lord would give us grace to be faithful to Him in reaching, training, building, and sending for the next 41 years and beyond.

3. Pray that the Lord would encourage, equip, and embolden new leaders for the ministry, both in the RPC of Westside Indianapolis and at Second RPC.

Fun Fact

The first RP Church in Indianapolis existed from 1867–1870, thus the present congregation is named the Second RP church.