Pastor John Lim
Rev. Lim of Bethany Korean Church in Matthews, NC, is steadily improving and is now out of ICU but still in the hospital. He can feed himself, get out of bed with assistance, is talking and doesn’t need surgery. We thank God for this. The doctors, however, don’t believe he will make a 100% recovery. He and his family are deeply appreciative of your prayers.
Crenshaw Family
Brothers,
Below is an (unedited) update from my wife for you to share as is fitting. Our collision was a year ago today (Aug. 6).
Grace and Peace,
Jason
Today was the day: one year ago we were returning from vacationing with family. We had eaten lunch at Chick Fil A as our final stop before the 5 hour drive home. Through Gods providence Jaala was insistent on being properly seat belted before leaving the parking lot. We were exhausted and the kids snuggled in their seats for a nap. Heading north, we had not long passed Hershey Park when a Dodge Ram 3500 towing a horse trailer veered into our lane and hit us head on. It had so much force that our van was turned south bound. Within three minutes the first of six ambulances arrived to begin transporting all 8 of us to the nearby hospital- Hershey.
As I think back on that horrendous day, I can’t help but to thank our Father in heaven for saving EVERY ONE of our lives! A year later, we are still experiencing effects of the wreck, but by His goodness, we have reasons to rejoice.
Here is the latest update:
Jason is amazing! He has been right here helping with everything while continuing his pastorate. Though most days he seems fine, inside he struggles a lot with Jalaa’s disability. He is getting better, but, it’s hit him the hardest. He was fascinated with Jalaa. She had a personality that he adored. Jason has had a hard time letting go of who Jalaa was. He can barely look at old pictures or videos of her without losing himself to tears. Watching her in her wheelchair, his heart breaks that her ‘life’ has been taken from her. By Gods grace, as times passes on we see glimpses of Jalaa’s old personality which gives Jason hope.
I am pressing on. It’s been two and a half months since my second surgery and I’ve been cleared from physical therapy along with the surgeon giving me a green light to carry on with my normal routine. There is still a little pain but nothing that hinders me from any tasks.
Jivahn is doing well. He’ll be 18 in a few months and loving the little freedom he’s got.
Jaala is good, too. Shes the one child of mine who needs extra attention so this summer has been tough on her. However, she is learning how to ‘manage’ herself which is definitely a good thing.
Jalea is loving life! She had a rough start to her summer when she jumped off a swing at school and broke her arm. Six weeks and three casts later she’s all healed and is excited about every day she wakes up to.
Javea is usually Jalea’s sidekick. Wherever Jalea is, Javea usually isn’t far behind. This summer she’s learned to be more bold and has learned to stand up for herself. She will be starting kindergarten next month. The poor girl has no idea about how much her world will change.
Jisyah is still a handful. It honestly takes a village for that little guy! He loves the word ‘no’ and enjoys aggravating his sisters.
Finally, Jalaa. I could go on and on about her but will keep it short. A year ago today, we were told she may not live. She spent a full month in ICU where she and doctors fought for her life. Jalaa suffered a severe blow to the head that was diagnosed as a Traumatic Brain Injury. She spent a month in ICU under an induced coma. She was then transported via ambulance to a local rehab hospital where she stayed for the next three months two of which were spent coming off of sedative medications. Tensions were still high while she was in therapy as we were waiting for her to ‘snap out of it’. Little did we know, it was going to be a gradual progression. Jalaa came home at the end of November but we continued to take her in for outpatient therapy 3 times a week through June. We didn’t get big moments of progress with her, rather, it has been slow, small achievements. Over time she has come so far! I still remember the first time she called for me. I was ecstatic! She use to use her iPad to communicate. Now, she talks non stop and her speech is audible. She moves around mostly with her wheelchair but is able to use a walker as long as someone is behind her to help her balance. I’ve actually found that locking arms with her and walking alongside her is easier than using a walker. She is able to get herself dressed if I give her clothes. Because her arm shakes a great deal she needs assistance brushing her hair and teeth. She still uses diapers but we are currently attempting to transition into panties. She loves to arm wrestle, and she’s not biased to anyone. She recently bragged about winning an arm wrestling competition with a
90 year old gentleman in our church.
Jalaa has been attending school 2-3 times a week for a few months now. Our main goals are rehabilitation therapies and memory strengthening. She has trouble with her short term memory and we found that repetition is the key. She has been in a class with special needs children but has advanced well enough to join other classes when the school year starts.
As you can see, there are many areas in which Jalaa has had major improvement, but there are also areas where she has not. For example, because of the injury, Jalaa has a hard time with situational behaviors. The ‘filter’ is not there so she’ll at times say or do things that are unkind, or inappropriate. She will make something up in her head and argue it’s truth. She’ll make demands in exchange for her cooperation. She once told her occupational therapist that she would only work if he gave her a brownie. He didn’t have one so Jalaa sat there the entire hour unwilling to work. But again, as time passes, she only improves. A couple months ago these situations may have been constant, now, not as much. The Lord has and continues to bless her and us! He deserves all honor and praise and glory!
Reverend John Lim of Bethany Korean Church in Matthews, NC has suffered a stroke. His family says he is still in critical condition in the ICU unit at Novant Hospital in Charlotte. Doctors are considering doing surgery to relieve pressure on his brain but are waiting to see if it goes down. He is conscious and has walked some and can speak some. He is completely paralyzed on his left side. Please keep him and his family in prayer.
Dr. Leslie Holmes has resigned from his position as Provost of Erskine Theological Seminary. Holmes wants to dedicate his time fully as Moderator of Synod. “I want to focus on the bigger Church. My travel schedule takes me from Canada to Scotland to California and I want to give myself and my time to The Synod,” he says.
The 2019 Bonclarken Music Conference is off to a great start. A special thanks to the staff and Clinicians for making it happen. Everyone is invited to attend the concert on Friday night at 7pm.
Synod approved the following statement on Human Sexuality during the 2019 meeting. The statement can be found on the ARPchurch.org website by clicking 
ease be in prayer for 20 year old Thomas Crump, son of Rev. & Mrs. Joseph Crump. (Rev. Crump is the pastor of Effingham ARP in Florence, SC.) A firework did not work correctly yesterday exploding midair and Thomas took a direct hit on his right eye. He has trauma in the front and inside of the eye. He does not have use of the eye at present. He is going to be meeting with the ophthalmologist daily until they believe he is okay. “We are thankful that it is not worse and we are praying the eye will heal,” said Joseph Crump. Thomas is to be on bedrest for now.
Mark Corbitt, son of Nancy Corbitt and the late Rev. James Corbitt, passed away suddenly on June 29, 2019. Please be in prayer for Nancy, and Mark’s wife Sandy. The memorial service is this morning in Birmingham, Alabama. Click 
Charles “Chuck” Walker, Clerk of Session of Bethany ARP Church in Clover, SC, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. Click 
Mrs. Mary Kate Brearley Glasser, member of the Arsenal Hill ARP Mission, went home to be with the Lord early morning, June 27. Mary Kate was the widow of Rev. Dr. Cecil Brearley, Jr. who served as church planter and pastor of the Dutch Fork ARP Church, and served on several committees in Catawba Presbytery, including chairman of the church extension committee.
Record high numbers at the high school conference, Horizon, hosted by Christian Education Ministries, with 450 in attendance. Pray for the leaders, staff and students. The evening speaker is Leon Brown, a mission 
developer at Montage ARPC in California. The week began with a dedication service of the new youth facility at Bonclarken, The Back Porch. Chip Sherer, president of Bonclarken, shared with the group, “The Back Porch is built for youth fellowship specifically Horizon and Quest. During the planning of the building, our main focus was to help groups fellowship more while here.” During Quest, a volunteer from each of the ARPC presbyteries was invited to cut the ribbon.
Do you have a story of God leading you or your church across cultural boundaries for the glory of the gospel? ONA wants to hear from you! In an effort to encourage our denomination to reach across cultural and ethnic divides for the glory of Christ, we would like to highlight testimonies of God at work in the ARP Church through multicultural ministry. Please contact Elinor Griffin at