Columbus, Ind., RPC

Presbytery: Great Lakes-Gulf

Organized: 1978

Members: 94 communicant; 40 baptized

Pastor: Andy McCracken

Associate Pastor: George Gregory

Web Site: columbusrpc.org

The Columbus Reformed Presbyterian Church (CRPC) started as a mission of Bible Study Fellowship, with RP pastor Roy Blackwood from Indianapolis as one of the key church planters and Bob Henning as the presbytery representative. They met in the home of Ed and Lynn Schisler for six years before official organization.

 The church demonstrates real team ministry, with some seasoned, retired pastors serving as officers. We are currently seeking to cultivate new servant leaders like Dave Schisler, who was recently ordained and installed as a deacon.

 One church ministry is Paideia Christian Co-op (PCC). Established in 2006, PCC seeks to supplement and complement the education taking place in homes while supporting the role of parents. Alongside courses like chemistry, Spanish, and American history, parents can have children take classes taught by the pastors, such as Essential Truths of the Christian Faith, Biblical Covenants, and Introductory Greek. The co-op puts on plays like A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream and Alice in Wonderland. PCC has grown from 23 to 88 students, including 30 community families.

 Other ministries include a community garden, offering space for church members to work alongside folks beyond the church. George Gregory teaches Bible at Columbus Christian School. A women’s Bible study meets each Wednesday morning and a men’s prayer group each Saturday. CRPC has an active youth group.

 CRPC is exploring an exciting mission outreach in the area of English as a Second Language (ESL). Cummins, a global engine-manufacturing firm, hires many employees whose spouses do not speak English, and ESL may aid in bridging cultural barriers and doing relational evangelism. 

How did God lead you to CRPC?

 “I was hungry for truth and, after discovering Reformed teaching through the internet, was eager to find a local congregation.”

 “The Psalms have played a key role in my devotional life, and I find the weekly singing from the Psalter at CRPC to be consistently uplifting.”

 “We were going to a church many miles away and, after being drawn to Reformed teaching in various ways, sought out a church closer to where we live. We discovered warm hospitality at CRPC.”

Where do you see the Spirit of Christ active at CRPC?

 “The biblical teaching is solid. I often find myself caught up in the sermons, both nourished in my devotional life and eager to share it with others.”

 “The ministry of mercy and compassion to individuals and families living on the edge is profound and inspiring. It is not programmatic, but Spirit-led and reaches out to many.”

 “The encouragement and fellowship I have found in prayer group keeps me accountable to a group of Christian men I love and respect.”

For Prayer 

1. The election and leadership of new elders and deacons.
2. The development of our ESL ministry.
3. Ongoing pastoral care to meaningfully meet the needs of hurting people.
4. Vision to best impact lives in the community.