Greetings and blessings to you from the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church (ARPC) General Synod. The emphasis this month is on Outreach North America (ONA), which as the name suggests, is the agency of our denomination which is responsible for planting new churches in North America. ONA also has programs designed to strengthen churches that may be in periods of decline.
When Jesus gave us His Great Commission, he identified where we are to go to be witnesses for Him: in Jerusalem, which corresponds to our hometown and community; this is the primary function of the local church; next, Jesus said to go into Judea, which corresponds to our state and our nation; this is what ONA does by planting churches all across our country; then Jesus said to go to Samaria – why would He tell the disciples to go to Samaria, which is the LAST place any self-respecting Jew would go? I think that is exactly the point; as professing believers in Christ, we should – we MUST – be willing to go share the Good News wherever we are sent, even if it is the least appealing place on earth.
Then we are free to go anywhere He sends us, even to the ends of the earth.
There are several issues that I am asking you to pray for this month:
- The SEED ministry program in Rwanda – the Rwandan government is now beginning to implement the law requiring pastors to receive training and have their church facilities fulfill certain safety, sound, building, and parking codes. As of this week, 5,800 churches and mosques have been closed. While our training, to this point, is helping our students meet the educational requirements, many church buildings do not meet the requirements of the law.
- That the dissolution of Second Presbytery be done decently and in order, and for a sense of renewal and welcome be evident within the newly expanded boundaries of Catawba and Tennessee-Alabama Presbyteries; the transfer of ministers is almost complete
- That each of us commits to pray for the various church plants in North America that are part of ONA’s efforts to take the Gospel “to the ends of the earth – TOGETHER”.
I pray that this short note (and the ones that will follow) will be informative and challenging, and I believe asking you for your prayers and consideration will be fruitful for all of us as we move through the year.
Blessings on you and yours,
Alan J Broyles
Moderator